MTD software for landlords: the honest comparison

Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax is the biggest change to landlord tax admin in a generation. Instead of one Self Assessment return a year, you’ll keep digital records and send HMRC a quarterly update through recognised software, then a final declaration to wrap up the year. The generic “best accounting software” lists don’t answer the question landlords actually have — especially couples who own together — so this guide does.

Do you even need it yet?

MTD is phased in by qualifying income — your gross rental income (before expenses) plus any self-employment turnover. If you own jointly, it’s your share that counts, not the whole property.

• Over £50,000 — mandated from 6 April 2026.
• Over £30,000 — mandated from 6 April 2027.
• Over £20,000 — mandated from 6 April 2028.
• £20,000 or less — no confirmed start date yet.

Not sure which side of a threshold you fall? Our MTD start-date calculator works it out for both halves of a couple in under a minute — and yes, the two of you can be mandated in different years.

The three questions that decide your software

Forget feature checklists. For a landlord, three things narrow the field fast:

1. Do you own jointly?

If you do, you need a tool that records each owner’s share and lets each co-owner file separately — ideally from one account. A handful are built for this: FreeAgent, Landlord Studio, RentalBux and Hammock. Most general accounting platforms treat all property as one bucket, which means splitting the figures yourself. There’s a whole couples guide on this because it changes everything.

2. How do you keep records today?

Love your spreadsheet? You can keep it — bridging software submits the figures straight from it, and it’s the cheapest compliant route. Already app-based? A purpose-built landlord tool will feel natural. Does your accountant file for you? Stick to something agent-friendly (FreeAgent, Xero or QuickBooks) and ask which they support before you buy.

3. What’s your budget — and could it be £0?

Plenty of landlords pay nothing. There are 4 tools here with a genuine free tier, plus free routes through your bank. If you have one or two properties and light bookkeeping, start with the free options before you reach for your card.

Quick verdicts by situation

• Co-owning couple: a tool that auto-splits ownership — RentalBux or FreeAgent (free if you bank with NatWest, RBS or Mettle).
• Spreadsheet loyalist: bridging software (123 Sheets or VitalTax) from around £30 a year.
• Accountant does it: FreeAgent, Xero or QuickBooks — whichever your accountant already uses.
• One property, keep it cheap: a free landlord tier (Landlord Studio GO or RentalBux) or HMRC’s own free tool.
• Property + a side business: a tool that handles both income types in one filing, like RentalBux.

See it for your exact situation

Rather than guess, answer four quick questions in the two-minute picker and you’ll get a primary pick, a runner-up and a free alternative — with a link you can share with your co-owner. Prefer the raw data? The full comparison table lays every option side by side, including how each handles joint ownership.

One promise: this guide recommends the free routes wherever they fit, even the ones that pay us nothing. That’s exactly what makes the paid picks worth trusting.