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HMRC's software list

Is there free MTD software from HMRC?

No. HMRC does not make its own software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. It keeps a list of products that have passed its recognition process, and some of those are free. This page explains how to use that list and what it will not tell you.

Last checked 23rd September 2026.

What HMRC actually provides

HMRC's approach is simple: private companies build the software, and HMRC puts it through a recognition process before listing it. HMRC's guidance says: All software listed has been through HMRC's recognition process. HMRC does not recommend any product or software provider.

So the list is a list of products that work, not a list of products that are good for you. It does not rank them, and it does not compare their prices.

On cost, HMRC says free products are available for those with simple tax affairs but there may be limits on how the product can be used. That is the nearest thing to "HMRC free MTD software": free products made by other companies, which appear on HMRC's list.

How to use HMRC's software finder

The finder is on GOV.UK. As a sole trader or landlord, you answer a few questions about your income: whether you have self-employment income, UK property income, foreign property income or other income, whether you already keep digital records, and your accounting period. The finder then shows the products that say they can handle what you described.

If the software you already use is not on the list, HMRC suggests asking your provider about its plans for recognition. Either way, HMRC's finder is the right place to confirm that a product is officially recognised for your kind of income before you sign up.

Tip. Answer the income questions carefully. A product that handles self-employment may not handle property income, or may treat the two as separate accounts. If you have both, make sure the product shows up for both.

What HMRC's list will not tell you

The list tells you what is recognised. It leaves out the things that usually decide which product is right for you:

  • what the product really costs once you add the features you need;
  • whether "free" depends on opening a particular business bank account, or making a transaction each month;
  • whether VAT is included, or costs extra;
  • whether you can keep your spreadsheet instead of moving to new software;
  • how the product handles someone who is both a sole trader and a landlord.

That gap is why MTD Magpie exists. Our finder asks eight questions and ranks the routes on cost and fit, and our comparison table shows the catch for each one. Commission never changes the order.

Free products you will find

When we checked, the free routes fell into three groups. Standalone software that needs no particular bank: Sage Sole Trader Free, Clear Books, Pandle, the Pie app and My Tax Digital. Tools built into business bank accounts: Tide, Starling, Monzo, Mettle with FreeAgent, and FreeAgent through NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank. And ANNA, whose filing service connects to any UK bank and states a free offer for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. Our free MTD software page sets out the catch for each one.

Before you sign up to any of them, check on HMRC's finder that the product is recognised for your kind of income.

Spreadsheets and bridging software

You may not have to give up your spreadsheet. HMRC describes software that will connect to existing records kept in spreadsheets or other accounting tools, which it says is sometimes referred to as 'bridging software'. Our spreadsheet page explains when this is a sensible choice and when it is not.

What any recognised software must do

Whichever product you choose, HMRC says it must let you create, store and correct digital records of your self-employment and property income and expenses, send your quarterly updates to HMRC, and add any other income and submit your tax return by 31st January.

HMRC also says you can only use one product for each separate submission. For example, a landlord cannot use more than one product to send quarterly updates of property income.

Who has to use it, and when

Over £50,000
Over £30,000
Over £20,000

The figure is your qualifying income from self-employment and property in an earlier tax year. If it was over £50,000 in the 2024 to 2025 tax year, you have had to use Making Tax Digital from 6th April 2026. Over £30,000 in 2025 to 2026 means starting on 6th April 2027, and over £20,000 in 2026 to 2027 means starting on 6th April 2028. Our page Do I need Making Tax Digital? explains qualifying income and the exceptions.

Quarterly updates for the 2026 to 2027 tax year are due by 7th August 2026, 7th November 2026, 7th February 2027 and 7th May 2027. HMRC says it will not apply penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026 to 2027 tax year, but they must still be sent before you submit your tax return.

Questions people ask

Does HMRC provide free MTD software?

No. HMRC does not supply its own software for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. It lists products that have been through its recognition process, and some of those products are free.

Does HMRC recommend any MTD software?

No. HMRC says all software listed has been through its recognition process and that it does not recommend any product or software provider.

Is the software on HMRC's list free?

Some of it. HMRC says free products are available for those with simple tax affairs, but there may be limits on how the product can be used.

Can I keep using my spreadsheet?

Possibly. HMRC describes software that connects to records kept in spreadsheets or other accounting tools, sometimes called bridging software. See our spreadsheet page.

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