An Introduction To Making Tax Digital
Digital Records and MTD
Making Tax Digital, or MTD, is HMRC’s initiative to move tax reporting away from paper and spreadsheets and into digital record‑keeping and online submissions using approved software.
Instead of submitting one tax return a year, businesses and individuals will keep digital records and send regular updates to HMRC.
What counts as a digital record?
A digital record is information stored electronically, such as:
- Sales invoices
- Purchase receipts
- Dates, amounts and tax details
- Business income and expenses
These records must be kept in software, not on paper or static spreadsheets alone.
What are digital links?
A digital link is an electronic connection between systems where data flows without manual copying or re‑typing.
Examples of compliant digital links include:
- Bank feeds into accounting software
- Linked spreadsheets using formulas
- Direct software integrations
Examples of non‑compliant processes include:
- Copying numbers from one spreadsheet to another
- Manually typing totals into software
- Re‑typing figures from paper records
Why are digital links important for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
Manual steps increase the risk of mistakes. Digital links help ensure accuracy and consistency.