Part 3: Getting Started with AbraTax: HMRC-Recognised Software to File Your MTD Income Tax Updates

By now hopefully you feel better informed of what MTD for Income Tax means through part 1 of our series: HMRC MTD Income Tax Changes 2026 Explained: Rules, MTD for Income Tax Deadlines, and How to Prepare (MTD IT Changes 2026 Guide).

You may have also registered early using our step by step guide on part 2: How to Register for MTD Income Tax: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

In this part 3, we now explain how to use AbraTax to sign up, and file quarterly submissions.

AbraTax MTD is now officially HMRC recognised MTD software! That means you can file MTD Income Tax updates and send your quarterly summaries directly through our secure digital platform. It’s straightforward, secure, and completely free while we’re in the free beta MTD software phase.

By joining now (as of November 2025), you’ll beat the April 2026 mandatory deadline, avoid last-minute stress, and receive onboarding support from our AbraTax team and HMRC’s specialist advisors.

This beta is your chance to get hands-on experience with digital records, send quarterly updates under MTD, using a fully digital tax filing system built for sole traders and landlords. Joining early not only secures your place but also helps you prepare before MTD applies to around one million taxpayers.

What You'll Get in the Beta

• Direct HMRC submissions: File your MTD Income Tax updates directly from AbraTax.
• Free access: Use AbraTax at no cost during the beta period, perfect if you want to try an MTD for Income Tax software before April 2026.
• Expert onboarding and support: Get help from the AbraTax and HMRC teams to set up your account, connect your HMRC account to AbraTax, and complete your first submission.

1. How to Join the AbraTax MTD Beta: Step-by-Step

Getting started is quick and beginner-friendly. Follow these steps to unlock access to your digital tax filing software (UK):

Step 1: Head to the registration page or paste this link into your browser: https://www.abratax.co.uk/accounts/register/mtd-income-tax/

Step 2: On the registration page, enter your details and sign up to access the AbraTax platform.

Step 3: Complete the sign-up, then log in to your new dashboard.

Step 4: Connect your HMRC account to AbraTax when prompted. You’ll be asked to log in using your Government Gateway credentials to authorise your MTD software connection.

If you already have an AbraTax account (from VAT, Self-Assessment, or previous waitlist access), no need to create a new one. Just access MTD Income Tax from the top menu.

Any issues, email support@abratax.co.uk with the email address tied to your account, and we’ll enable the MTD Income Tax beta on your dashboard.

2. First Look at Your AbraTax Dashboard

Once you sign up and log in, you’ll land on your AbraTax MTD dashboard overview.
This is your central hub for Making Tax Digital, where you can track, submit, and monitor everything related to your MTD obligations.

Each section updates automatically once you connect your HMRC account in AbraTax.
Your tax registrations appear as tiles showing your UTR, NI number, and connection status.
If a registration isn’t connected yet, you’ll see a “Grant AbraTax Access” button.

3. Connect Your HMRC Account

To start filing, you’ll first need to connect your HMRC account in AbraTax.
Here’s how that works step-by-step:

1. Click “Add New MTD Income Tax Registration” in your dashboard.
2. Enter your UTR and National Insurance number.
3. Click “Grant AbraTax Access.” You’ll be redirected to the official HMRC site.
4. On the HMRC page, click Continue to allow your MTD-compatible software to connect.
5. Sign in using your HMRC user ID and password.

You’ll then see a permission screen asking whether to allow AbraTax to:

• View your Self Assessment information
• Change your Self Assessment information
• Choose “Give Permission.”

Your HMRC authorisation lasts up to 18 months, after which you'll be asked to renew this permission.

4. Make Your First Submission

Now that your MTD obligations are visible, you can start filing your first quarterly update.

On the left, you’ll see three main sections:

• Obligations – where you file quarterly updates
• Calculations – where you view estimated tax summaries
• Final Declaration – where you confirm totals at year-end (currently in development)

In the Obligations tab:
Click “Submit Update” under the business name.

Then:

• Click “Example Upload Template” to download the AbraTax Excel file
• Full instructions are within the template, but in summary, connect the template cells via formula to your Excel or similar digital record (keep headers unchanged).
• Save the template as a CSV
• Click upload on the relevant quarter, and upload the CSV.
• If you need to correct an entry or uploaded the wrong file, scroll down and click “Back to Upload” to replace it.
• Once ready, click “Submit to HMRC" and AbraTax will file your MTD Income Tax update directly via HMRC’s secure MTD API. You’ll then see a confirmation message once your data has been successfully submitted.

You can follow the same process for UK Property and Foreign Property updates, making AbraTax fully MTD-compatible software for landlords (both UK and overseas) as well as self-employed users.

After sending your updates:

• The Calculations tab shows an estimated summary (profit, tax due, NICs).
• The Final Declaration tab is where you’ll confirm all details and submit your final year-end declaration (in development)

5. Need Help?

Support email: support@abratax.co.uk

AbraTax is built to make MTD easy, whether you’re a sole trader or landlord, our HMRC recognised MTD software gives you everything you need to connect to HMRC, manage your quarterly submissions, and stay compliant with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.