Accountancy firm websites and Making Tax Digital: turning change into clients
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax now brings quarterly digital reporting to many sole traders and landlords, and more join in April 2027. Many will look for an accountant online for the first time.
By the Xuru Technologies team · 22 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Since 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has applied to sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000.
- From 6 April 2027, it extends to those with qualifying income between £30,000 and £50,000.
- Quarterly updates are due on the 7th of the month after each quarter, followed by a final declaration.
- A clear MTD guide page, a free consultation booking and service pages by client type turn searches into enquiries.
- Keep guidance pages dated and linked to official sources, and avoid personal tax advice in generic content.
How can an accountancy firm's website win clients from Making Tax Digital? By being the clearest, calmest explanation a worried sole trader or landlord finds — and by making it easy to book a conversation. Most people affected are not tax experts. They want to know whether it applies to them, what they need to do and who can do it for them.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax in brief
According to the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group:
| Start date | Who is brought in |
|---|---|
| 6 April 2026 | Self-employed people and landlords with combined gross income over £50,000 from self-employment and property |
| 6 April 2027 | Those with combined gross income between £30,000 and £50,000 |
| Later (no date set) | Partnerships |
People in scope keep digital records, send quarterly updates to HMRC and then submit a final declaration in place of the usual self assessment return. The first update covers 6 April to 5 July and is due by 7 August; later updates are due on the 7th of the month following each period. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules before publishing.
Pages that turn searches into enquiries
| Page | Purpose | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| Making Tax Digital guide | Capture people searching for MTD | Who it applies to, dates, what changes, software you support, how you help |
| Sole traders | Speak to one audience | Typical needs, services, how fees work, an example client |
| Landlords | Speak to another | Property income, MTD, record keeping, portfolios |
| Limited companies | Higher-value work | Accounts, corporation tax, payroll, advisory |
| Book a free call | Convert | Short form or calendar booking, what to prepare |
Give each audience its own page rather than one long services list. A landlord and a limited company director search for different things and want different reassurance.
Trust signals for a regulated profession
- Professional body membership and practising details (for example ICAEW, ACCA, AAT or CIOT), stated accurately.
- Software partner badges for the tools you support, such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or FreeAgent.
- Named partners and advisers with photos and qualifications.
- Real client testimonials, collected with permission.
- Clear information about how fees are agreed and what an engagement letter covers.
Booking, onboarding and the client portal
Let prospects book a short call directly into your calendar and say what they need to prepare. After they sign up, link to your secure client portal or document exchange from the header so existing clients find it instantly. Never ask clients to email sensitive documents if you have a secure alternative — and say so on the site.
Content that keeps working
Short, dated articles on deadlines, allowances and MTD questions bring steady search traffic and give you something useful to send in a monthly newsletter. Keep them general and suggest a conversation for personal advice. Review tax content at least once a year, and update the "last reviewed" date when you do.
Accountancy website checklist
| Area | Ready when… |
|---|---|
| MTD guide | Dates and thresholds correct, official sources linked, reviewed date shown |
| Audiences | Separate pages for sole traders, landlords and companies |
| Booking | Calendar or short form with clear next steps |
| Trust | Professional body, software partners and team shown accurately |
| Portal | Client login visible in the header |
| Privacy | UK GDPR privacy notice and secure document handling explained |
| Accessibility | Forms and tables usable with keyboard and screen reader |
Frequently asked questions
Who does Making Tax Digital for Income Tax apply to first?
From 6 April 2026, self-employed people and landlords with combined gross income over £50,000 from those sources. Those between £30,000 and £50,000 follow from 6 April 2027.
Should an accountant publish fees on the website?
Many firms show starting fees or packages for common services such as sole trader returns, which helps prospects self-qualify. Bespoke work can still be quoted after a call.
How often should tax content be updated?
At least once a year and whenever rules change. Show a "last reviewed" date so readers know the information is current.
Can a website give tax advice?
General guidance is helpful and builds trust, but keep it general and invite people to book a call for advice on their own situation.
Be the firm people find when MTD lands.
Preview the Northgate Accountants template — MTD guide, client-type pages and consultation booking built in.
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