23/03/2026
MTD FINES ARE CHANGING – AND MOST PEOPLE HAVEN’T CLOCKED IT YET 👀
From April 2026, HMRC aren’t just fining you for late tax returns anymore… they’re tracking your behaviour.
Here’s the simple version:
❌ Miss a quarterly update → you get a POINT
❌ Build up points → you get fined £200
❌ Keep missing deadlines → more £200 fines
Think of it like speeding points on your licence 🚗
For most sole traders:
👉 4 missed deadlines = £200 fine
👉 Every miss after that = another £200
And it doesn’t stop there…
💸 Late payment penalties:
15 days late → 3% fine
30 days late → another 3%
After that → daily interest + penalties
👉 From 2027 this goes up even more.
IMPORTANT:
This isn’t just for big businesses.
If you’re:
Self-employed
A landlord
Earning over £50k (then £30k, then £20k)
…you’re coming into this.
⚠️ The real issue?
HMRC are no longer just checking your tax once a year — they’re checking you EVERY QUARTER.
So if you’re the type that:
“sorts it all at year end”
or
“forgets until January”
…this will catch you out.
👍 Good news:
First year is a bit more relaxed (no points for late quarterly updates)
👎 Bad news:
After that, it’s full enforcement.
Bottom line:
This is less about tax… and more about staying organised.
If you’re not set up properly, this WILL cost you.
If you want help getting ready before this kicks in, drop me a message 👍
