Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Freelancers
Managing clients is your priority — navigating Making Tax Digital is ours. Sterling & Wells handles your digital record-keeping, quarterly submissions, and year-end declarations so you can focus on delivering your best work.
Our MTD specialists manage compliance for sole traders and independent contractors, ensuring accurate submissions to HMRC while you stay focused on your work.
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Why Freelancers Should Choose Sterling & Wells
- Built specifically for self-employed workflows — not generic solutions.
- Handles fluctuating income, irregular expenses, and project-based earnings with ease.
- Keeps your digital records accurate and quarterly updates filed on time.
- Optimises your year-end position so you keep more of what you earn.
- Removes the stress of MTD so you can focus on paid work, not paperwork.
Quarterly & Annual Filing
Handled accurately by experts
Stay Compliant with HMRC
We take care of all MTD requirements for you
Making Tax Digital For Income Tax Self-Assessment
HMRC is changing how freelancers (self-employed) report their income. Instead of one annual tax return, Making Tax Digital (MTD) requires quarterly digital updates through approved software. This applies whether you’re a graphic designer, writer, photographer, web developer, or any other type of freelance professional.
What Income Counts Toward MTD Thresholds?
Your Total Freelance Earnings Determine When MTD Requirements Begin
Qualifying income means your gross freelance earnings before expenses. This includes all client payments, project fees, platform earnings (Upwork, Fiverr, etc.), commission income, and any other self-employed freelance income. It does NOT include wages from employed work (PAYE), pension income, or savings interest.
April 2026
- MTD for IT applies to individuals with annual self-employment or property income of more than £50,000.
April 2027
- MTD for IT applies to individuals with annual self-employment or property income of more than £30,000.
April 2028
- MTD for IT applies to individuals with annual self-employment or property income of more than £20,000.
Making Tax Digital Deadline Checker
MTD Deadlines Made Easy – Check Yours in Seconds!
Enter your income to see your deadline
MTD Benefits that Freelancers Get
Working with Sterling & Wells gives freelancers access to services designed to save time, increase accuracy, and eliminate tax-related confusion.
Freelancers benefit from proactive tax planning, reminders before deadlines, and a dedicated accountant who understands the unique patterns of project-based work. Whether you work in creative services, consulting, digital freelancing, trade-based work, or any other self-employed role, you receive personalised support that adapts to the way you earn.
We handle everything — digital bookkeeping, quarterly submissions, year-end declarations, expense categorisation, allowable deductions, and MTD compliance — while you stay focused on your craft. The end result is a streamlined tax process and complete peace of mind.
See the Difference Sterling & Wells Makes
Real challenges residential property owners face — and how Sterling & Wells helps
Freelancers Challenges
Income comes from multiple clients with varying payment dates, making it hard to keep accurate digital records.
Inconsistent expenses — software subscriptions, travel, equipment, utilities — are often forgotten or mixed with personal costs.
Freelancers struggle with quarterly updates because deadlines come around quickly and are easy to miss.
Year-end final declarations feel complex, especially when juggling multiple income streams.
Limited understanding of what counts as allowable expenses, leading to overpayment of tax.
How Sterling & Wells Helps
We keep all your income records organised, tracked, and updated digitally, ensuring every payment is captured correctly for MTD compliance.
Your accountant helps you separate, record, and categorise all deductible expenses so you never miss a claimable cost.
Sterling & Wells manages your quarterly submissions and reminds you before every deadline so you remain fully compliant.
We prepare your year-end summary, make all necessary adjustments, and ensure your final declaration is filed accurately.
We review all expenses, identify missed deductions, and ensure your tax position is optimised — legally and efficiently.
Meet the Experts Devoted to Your Success
Meet the Tax Advisors & Accountants at Sterling & Wells who make your growth and success their number one priority.
Get MTD-Ready in One Call
Sterling & Wells makes digital tax compliance effortless for freelancers. Whether you’re already preparing for MTD or completely new to it, our accountants will guide you through everything.
One call is all it takes to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions about Making Tax Digital for Freelancers help you understand the process and your responsibilities.
Do freelancers need to follow Making Tax Digital?
Freelancers will be required to comply with MTD for Income Tax once their earnings exceed HMRC’s digital reporting thresholds. Sterling & Wells helps you prepare in advance so you’re fully compliant when the rules apply.
Can my accountant submit my quarterly updates for me?
What digital records do freelancers need to keep under MTD?
Do I need special software for MTD?
What happens if I miss a quarterly update?
Can Sterling & Wells help if I have multiple self-employed income streams?
Introducing RentalBux: MTD Software Built for Freelancers
Most software options in the market don’t understand the specific needs UK freelancers have, forcing you to wrestle with spreadsheets and manual workarounds. That’s why we created RentalBux.
- Developed by Tax experts
- HMRC-Recognised for Self-Employment Income
- Complete MTD Compliance Solution
