Your software says sent. HMRC says missed. What now?
Signing up for Making Tax Digital and connecting your software to HMRC are two separate steps. Your HMRC online account shows the updates HMRC has received. If your software and HMRC tell different stories, those are the two places to look.
Signing up and connecting your software are separate steps
Signing up. You can sign yourself up, or HMRC signs you up. HMRC says it is signing people up "in stages over the coming months. We'll contact you after you've been signed up." Once you're signed up, you reach Making Tax Digital for Income Tax through your existing HMRC online account.
Connecting your software. HMRC calls this authorising your software: "You need to authorise your compatible software, so it is connected to HMRC." It's something you do before you start creating digital records. HMRC's steps for a sole trader or landlord:
- Select the option to connect with HMRC in your compatible software.
- Enter the user ID and password you used when you signed up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
- Pass the identity check by entering personal information and details from your identity documents (if you need to).
- Give permission for your software to connect with HMRC.
The connection doesn't last forever. HMRC says: "You'll need to repeat these steps every 18 months, but you will not need to pass the identity check again. Your software should remind you when it's time to reconnect."
How to see what HMRC has received
In your HMRC online account. HMRC's guidance, updated on 16 October 2026: "After you send a quarterly update, the recent activity in your HMRC online account will say 'You sent a quarterly update'." Sign in to HMRC online services with the details you used when you signed up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
The same account lets you:
- check quarterly update and tax return due dates
- view what you need to report for each tax year (your reporting obligations)
- view and appeal penalty points and penalties
If HMRC has signed you up, it says your account shows "any overdue quarterly updates" and "upcoming quarterly updates deadlines".
Can't see Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in your account? HMRC says you can add it: select "Add a tax to your account", choose Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, and answer the security questions. To check whether you're signed up at all: "Once you're signed into your account, a message will appear on screen confirming you are already signed up."
In your software. HMRC says your software provider "should have guidance on how to use their software", and to "contact your provider directly if you need any additional support."
Is there a penalty this tax year?
Not for a late quarterly update. HMRC's guidance: "HMRC will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026 to 2027 tax year."
The updates still need sending: "You will need to send your quarterly updates before you are able to submit your tax return using software." And "penalty points will still apply for late tax returns for this tax year."
A quiet quarter still counts. HMRC says that if you have not received any income or incurred any expenses during an update period, "you must still send your quarterly update to tell HMRC."
If you think a letter is wrong
Your letter's own wording is the final word on what it's about. HMRC's published routes:
- A penalty point or penalty you disagree with. HMRC says it will send you a letter if you get one, and: "If you do not agree with the penalty point or penalty you can appeal. Your letter will tell you how to do this." You can also view and appeal penalty points and penalties in your HMRC online account.
- Signed up by HMRC, and you don't think you need to use it. HMRC says to contact Self Assessment: general enquiries.
- A technical problem with your software. "You will need to contact your software provider directly for technical support."
- Anything your HMRC online account can't do. "If you need to do something not listed here, contact Self Assessment: general enquiries."
Phone numbers, webchat and the rest: how to contact HMRC about Making Tax Digital.
Quick answers
My software says my quarterly update was sent. How do I check HMRC has it?
Sign in to HMRC online services with the details you used when you signed up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. HMRC says that after you send a quarterly update, the recent activity in your HMRC online account will say 'You sent a quarterly update'.
Is signing up for MTD the same as connecting my software?
No. Signing up puts you into Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Authorising your software is a separate step that connects it to HMRC, and HMRC says to repeat it every 18 months.
Will I get a penalty for a late quarterly update this tax year?
HMRC will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026 to 2027 tax year. You still need to send your quarterly updates before you can submit your tax return using software, and penalty points still apply for late tax returns.
I had no income this quarter. Do I still send an update?
Yes. HMRC says that if you have not received any income or incurred any expenses during an update period, you must still send your quarterly update to tell HMRC.
Who do I contact if my software and HMRC don't match?
For technical support with your software, HMRC says to contact your software provider directly. For queries about signing up for or using Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, HMRC lists Self Assessment: general enquiries.
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Start your free trialSources: gov.uk, use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: send quarterly updates (updated 16 October 2026), get your software ready (updated 24 April 2026) and check if Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has been added to your HMRC online account (updated 16 October 2026); penalties for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (updated 30 March 2026); check what to do if HMRC has signed you up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (updated 11 September 2026); Self Assessment: general enquiries (updated 28 July 2026); help and support (updated 16 July 2026). Checked on 30 October 2026.