Self-employed folks and landlords up in Scotland better get their ducks in a row before it’s too late! Big changes are coming to the tax system next year, and they don’t want to be caught with their pants down. Around 780,000 people in the UK, including tens of thousands of Scots, will need to switch over to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starting on April 6. And get this, another 970,000 people will have to jump on the bandwagon by 2027.
Advice Direct Scotland, the brains behind the free service taxadvice.scot, is sounding the alarm and telling people to start prepping for these changes now. Under the new system, solo traders and landlords raking in more than £50,000 will have to start keeping digital records and sending HMRC quarterly updates. No more slacking off and just doing an annual tax return. By enrolling early in HMRC’s test program, eligible taxpayers can get a feel for the new system and avoid a meltdown as the deadline approaches. Making the switch to digital record-keeping might actually make tax season a bit less of a headache in the long run. Less room for errors, more time saved, and less time wasted looking for paperwork at the eleventh hour. Sounds like a win-win, right?
Andrew Bartlett, the big cheese at Advice Direct Scotland, had this to say: “Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is a game-changer for solo traders and landlords when it comes to managing their finances. By getting on board with this new system, individuals can simplify their record-keeping, lower their stress levels during tax season, and free up more time to focus on their businesses in this digital age. With the April 2026 deadline looming, now’s the time to start getting your ducks in a row. Joining HMRC’s testing program early is a smart move to get comfortable with the system and ensure a smooth transition. And if it all seems a bit overwhelming, don’t sweat it. Help is just a click away at taxadvice.scot or by giving us a ring at 0800 756 3381. Asking for a little help is the savvy way to stay ahead of the game.”
Eligible taxpayers can hop on the HMRC testing program train at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sign-up-your-business-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax. Advice Direct Scotland is one of HMRC’s golden children, chosen along with 11 other voluntary and community organizations across the UK to provide tailored tax and benefits advice. They’re the only ones doing it up in Scotland, so they’re kind of a big deal. The experts over at taxadvice.scot can lend a helping hand with all sorts of problems, from PAYE and National Insurance questions to tips on filling out those pesky self-assessment forms.
So, if you’re a self-employed Scot or a landlord north of the border, it’s time to get your act together before the taxman comes knocking. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
