How to Register for MTD ITSA with HMRC

What You Need Before Registering for MTD ITSA

Before you can register for MTD ITSA, you need to have the following in place:

• A Government Gateway account (the same one you use for Self Assessment)
• Your National Insurance number
• Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — found on previous tax returns or HMRC correspondence
• Your most recent Self Assessment return details (to verify identity)
• An active MTD-compatible software subscription (such as Xero, which AccTek provides)

Step-by-Step: How to Register for MTD ITSA with HMRC

1. Log in to your HMRC Government Gateway account at gov.uk. If you do not have one, create one — you will need your National Insurance number and a form of identity verification.
2. Navigate to the MTD ITSA sign-up section — search for “Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax” within your HMRC online account.
3. Confirm your income sources — HMRC will ask you to confirm that you have qualifying income from self-employment and/or property above the threshold.
4. Select your MTD software — you will need to indicate which compatible software you intend to use. This is where your Xero authorisation is connected to your HMRC account.
5. Authorise your software — your MTD software will prompt you to authorise the connection to HMRC. This is typically done via a one-click authorisation within Xero or your chosen platform.
6. Confirm your registration — HMRC will confirm your MTD ITSA registration by email and in your Government Gateway account. Your start date will be shown.

If You Use an Accountant — Agent Registration

If AccTek manages your MTD compliance, we register on your behalf as part of onboarding. The process is slightly different when an agent registers a client:

1. AccTek logs in to HMRC’s Agent Services Account
2. We request authorisation to act as your MTD agent — you receive an email from HMRC asking you to confirm
3. Once confirmed, AccTek can submit quarterly updates and the Final Declaration on your behalf
4. You retain full visibility of your HMRC account; we simply act on your behalf

What Happens After Registration

Once registered, your HMRC account is linked to your MTD software. From your mandatory start date (e.g. 6 April 2026), all qualifying income and expense records must be maintained digitally. Your first quarterly submission deadline depends on your start date — for April 2026 starters, the first deadline is 5 August 2026.

Common Registration Mistakes

Registering Too Close to the Deadline

HMRC’s processing of MTD registrations can take several weeks. Registering in late March 2026 for an April 2026 start risks your records not being linked in time. Allow at least 4–6 weeks.

Not Linking Software to HMRC Properly

Registration and software authorisation are two separate steps. Many people complete the HMRC registration but forget to complete the authorisation within their software — meaning the first submission fails. AccTek verifies the full connection during onboarding.

Frequently Asked Questions