HMRC has published the first 'Ready, Steady, File!' newsletter for participants in the 2025 Making Tax Digital for Income Tax testing programme, released on 7 November 2025. It is designed to keep volunteers updated on news, resources and milestones as the pilot scales.

Edition 1 outlines what testers can expect: insights from recent user research, what HMRC is currently stress‑testing, an open invitation to submit feedback, and a round‑up of practical guidance. HMRC pitches the newsletter as a companion during the testing phase, arriving on a roughly quarterly cycle.

The timing matters. MTD for Income Tax becomes mandatory from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with income above £50,000, then from April 2027 for those above £30,000. Government plans also point to extending mandation to those above £20,000 from April 2028. HMRC continues to encourage eligible taxpayers to join the testing programme ahead of go‑live.

The newsletter flags a key pilot milestone already passed: the first quarterly update for testers was due by 5 August 2025, with submissions opening from late July. HMRC stresses that late submission penalties do not apply during the testing phase, which reduces risk for early adopters.

HMRC reports good progress on core functions. The team has validated sign‑up for individuals and agents (including non‑standard accounting periods), the ability to make and edit quarterly submissions, adding income sources, opting out of quarterly obligations, PAYE data pre‑populating estimates for payments on account, and correct allocation of payments. It is also trialling multiple‑agent access and first in‑software quarterly updates.

Support is a recurring theme. Testers have a dedicated helpline on 0300 322 9619 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm) and guided resources. While HMRC does not build its own free software, it confirms free products exist for taxpayers with the simplest affairs and points participants to choose an appropriate option.

For planning beyond the pilot, standard quarterly update cut‑offs under mandation from April 2026 fall on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May for typical accounting periods. Treat these as four short reporting sprints and build cash‑flow checks ahead of each deadline to avoid pressure.

HMRC says it aims to send this newsletter every three months and is actively seeking feedback on the sign‑up experience via a short form. If your income sits above the thresholds, the pilot offers a low‑risk window to bed in software and processes before 6 April 2026.