Auto-updated from GOV.UK · May 2026

UK Tax News & HMRC Updates

The latest government announcements and HMRC guidance that could affect your tax bill — pulled directly from GOV.UK and refreshed automatically.

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Pulled directly from the GOV.UK news feed. Updates automatically when HMRC publishes new guidance.

Curated updates — May 2026

Making Tax Digital for ITSA is now live — what you need to do

From 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords with gross income above £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC via approved software. The threshold falls to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in 2028.

Read our full MTD guide →

Record 740,000 early filers for 2025/26 — filing early pays off

HMRC confirmed 86,270 taxpayers filed their return on Easter Monday — the first day of the tax year. Almost 740,000 filed in April overall. Filing early means knowing your bill sooner and spreading costs via HMRC's budget payment plan.

View on GOV.UK →

HMRC's points-based penalty regime is now fully in force

Each missed submission earns a penalty point; reaching the threshold triggers a £200 fine. Unlike the old £100 flat penalty, this applies to every late submission and escalates quickly for repeat offenders.

Understand the penalties →

65% rise in Self Assessment payments via the HMRC app

Nearly 340,000 people used the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment bill — a 65% year-on-year rise. The app also lets you check your tax code, manage payments on account, and view your full tax history.

View on GOV.UK →

Only 30% of affected taxpayers aware of MTD changes

Despite MTD for ITSA affecting 2.9 million people, only about 30% are aware of the reforms. Those affected must register with HMRC, choose compliant software, and begin quarterly reporting from April 2026.

Read our MTD preparation guide →