How to connect GetGround to HMRC for Making Tax Digital

How to sign up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax

Signing up for Making Tax Digital (MTD) now prepares your property business for quarterly reporting, which begins from the 2026 to 2027 tax year. GetGround will start supporting MTD reporting from April 2026, but you can connect your HMRC account today so you’re ready when reporting begins.

Before you begin.

Have the following ready:

• Government Gateway login — Your existing Self Assessment login, or create one during the process.
• National Insurance number — Used for identity verification.
• Property income source details — Whether you use cash basis or accruals accounting, the start date of your property business, and your usual accounting period.

Step 1 — Open HMRC’s MTD sign-up page

Go to HMRC’s Sign up for MTD for Income Tax page. You’ll see an overview of MTD for Income Tax and a Sign up now button.

Step 2 — Check that you’re eligible

On the HMRC page, review the “Who can sign up voluntarily” and “Who cannot sign up voluntarily” sections. Confirm that you:

• Are a UK individual with property income to report.
• Are not restricted by any of the “cannot sign up” criteria listed.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, email gethelp@getground.co.uk.

Step 3 — Sign in and complete HMRC security checks

1. On the MTD sign-up page, click Sign up now.
2. Sign in with your Government Gateway user ID and password. If you don’t have an account yet, choose the option to create sign-in details and follow the on-screen steps.
3. Complete any 2-step verification checks (text message, phone call, or authenticator app).
4. Answer any identity or security questions HMRC asks until you’re taken into the sign-up journey.

Step 4 — Add your property income source

1. When prompted to add income sources, select your property income option.
2. Confirm this is for personally owned properties, not for a company.
3. Enter or confirm:
   • Your accounting method as cash basis.
   • The start year for this income source.
   • The option to start using it from the next tax year.

Step 5 — Confirm and finish your MTD sign-up

1. Check the summary screen HMRC shows you.
2. Confirm that your property income source details are correct and your accounting method is set to cash basis.
3. Submit your sign-up.

Once submitted, HMRC confirms you’ve signed up for MTD for Income Tax.

Step 6 — Connect HMRC to GetGround before April 2026

1. Go to your Bookkeeping page in GetGround and confirm you’ve signed up with HMRC.
2. Enter your National Insurance number and select Connect to HMRC.
3. You’ll be redirected to HMRC. Sign in using the same Government Gateway account you used for MTD sign-up.
4. Click Give Permission so GetGround can fetch your business details.
5. During the connection flow, select your property business income source to use with GetGround.

You’ll now be connected to HMRC in GetGround and able to see your upcoming tax quarters on the Bookkeeping → Personal Tax page (for the 2026–2027 tax period).

You’re MTD ready

Once these steps are complete, your GetGround account is MTD ready. You can now use GetGround to manage and submit your quarterly property income updates to HMRC.

Frequently asked questions

Does GetGround support MTD for the 2025 to 2026 tax year?
No. GetGround supports MTD reporting from April 2026 (the 2026 to 2027 tax year onward). You can still use the HMRC sign-up to test MTD software for 2025 to 2026, but GetGround won’t support it.

Which accounting method should I choose?
Choose cash basis. GetGround only supports cash basis accounting for MTD.

I own several properties. Do I need to add each one separately?
No. HMRC treats all your properties as a single property business, so you only add one property income source.

Do I still need to file a Self Assessment return?
Yes. You still need to submit your 2024 to 2025 Self Assessment return as normal, outside of MTD.