If you are a sole trader or landlord in Northern Ireland, you may be asking, can my accountant do MTD for me? The short answer is yes. A good MTD accountant can take most of the work off your hands, from setting up the right software to sending your updates to HMRC. At Henderson and Co. Accountants, we have proudly served clients across Northern Ireland since 2014, and as a team who embrace new technology, we know MTD inside out. This guide explains exactly what your accountant can do for you and what you still need to do yourself.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a UK government plan that asks businesses and landlords to keep digital records and send tax updates to HMRC using software that works with the system. Instead of filling in one big return at the end of the year, you send updates more often through approved tools.
The plan is rolling out in stages. It started with VAT, and it is now moving to Income Tax for sole traders and property landlords. The same rules apply across the UK, including Northern Ireland, so when you must sign up depends on your qualifying income, which is your combined gross income from self-employment and property before costs.
It sounds like a big shift, and for many landlords and sole traders it is, but with the right team behind you, the day-to-day change is smaller than you might think.
An MTD accountant helps sole traders and landlords move over to HMRC's digital record-keeping rules. Their job is to make the change simple, so you can focus on running your business rather than learning a new system from scratch.
In practice, your accountant can:
At Henderson and Co, our team handles this for clients every day. We set up the tools, show you how they work and take care of the submissions, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Yes, your accountant can manage Making Tax Digital for you. They can handle the software setup, submit your quarterly updates to HMRC and prepare your end-of-year declaration. For many busy sole traders and landlords in Northern Ireland, this is the easiest way to stay on top of the rules without spending hours on admin, and it frees you up to focus on what you actually enjoy about your business.
There is one step you must take first. To let your accountant act for you, you need to authorise them as your tax agent. You can do this through the official GOV.UK service for appointing a tax agent. Once that authority is in place, your MTD accountant can deal with HMRC on your behalf.
Hiring an MTD accountant takes most of the load off you, but a few things stay in your hands. Knowing these upfront saves any surprises later.
First, you must still sign your final return. While your accountant can prepare and submit your quarterly updates, you will need to digitally review and sign your end-of-year tax return yourself. This keeps you in control and confirms the figures are correct.
Second, you still need to keep track of your transactions. Your accountant cannot record income and expenses they never see. The good news is that we can link you to MTD-compatible software, such as Xero or QuickBooks, that makes uploading your data quick and simple. You record as you go, and we handle the rest.
The start date for MTD for Income Tax depends on your qualifying income. The higher your income, the sooner you must join. Sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000 are in the first group, with later dates for lower income bands.
Because the deadlines are already set, it pays to get your software and records sorted early. Working with an MTD accountant ahead of time means you can learn the system at your own pace, rather than rushing when your first quarterly update is due. Get in touch with our team today to find out your start date and the steps you need to take before it arrives. You can also read more about how we support clients on our Making Tax Digital page.
The date you must join MTD for Income Tax depends on your qualifying income within a tax year. Qualifying income means your combined gross income from self-employment and property before you take off any costs. The higher your income, the sooner you must sign up.
Here are the current thresholds and start dates:
For sole traders and landlords in Northern Ireland, the same dates apply. Knowing your figures now means you can plan ahead and bring your MTD accountant on board in good time.
Working out your qualifying income can be tricky, especially if you have more than one income source or your earnings vary year to year. If you are not sure whether MTD applies to you, or when your start date will be, get in touch with our team. We will look at your figures and confirm exactly where you stand, so you are not left guessing.
Since 2014, we have been helping sole traders, landlords and growing businesses across Belfast, Kilkeel and beyond stay on top of their finances. Managing your books can feel like a lot at the best of times, and new digital rules on top of that can feel like the last thing you need. Our team brings a fresh, tech-focused approach to bookkeeping and accounting, using the latest software to keep your records tidy and your filings on time.
We pride ourselves on fast response times, clear and jargon-free communication and fair, transparent pricing. As your MTD accountant, we make the whole process feel manageable, and you can see how we work and what we charge on our prices page, and get in touch anytime for a friendly, no-pressure chat about how we can help.
Most of all, we treat every client as an individual. We take time to understand your business and give you advice that fits your needs, so you always feel confident about your tax.
So, can my accountant do MTD for me? With the right MTD accountant, the answer is a clear yes. Your accountant can set up your software, send your quarterly updates and prepare your year-end declaration, while you simply review, sign and keep your records up to date.
At Henderson and Co. Accountants, we make the move to Making Tax Digital simple for sole traders and landlords across Northern Ireland. Get in touch with our team today and let us handle the numbers while you focus on growing your business. Your start date may be closer than you think.
Below are some common questions we hear from sole traders and landlords across Northern Ireland about working with an MTD accountant.
How do I authorise my accountant to handle MTD for me?
You need to appoint your accountant as your tax agent through HMRC. This is a quick process done through the official GOV.UK service for appointing a tax agent. Once that authority is in place, we can deal with HMRC on your behalf.
What software works with Making Tax Digital?
You need software that works with the MTD system to keep digital records and send your updates to HMRC. Popular options include Xero, QuickBooks and Sage. The right choice depends on the size of your business or property portfolio. We can recommend and set up software that suits your situation.
Can my accountant sign my tax return for me?
No. Even with an MTD accountant, you must still digitally review and sign your end-of-year tax return yourself. This keeps you in control and confirms the figures are correct. We handle everything up to that point, so all you need to do is check and sign.
What happens when I first sign up with an MTD accountant?
We start by looking at your income and working out your MTD start date. From there, we set up the right software, link it to your bank account and show you how to record your income and expenses as you go.
What if I'm not sure whether MTD applies to me?
Get in touch with our team. We will look at your income figures and confirm whether MTD applies to you and, if so, your start date, so you are not left guessing.
