New tax rules for buy-to-let landlords from 2026

We at Walters Lincoln want to make you aware of some significant changes that are coming into effect from April 2026.
The UK Government is introducing Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, which will affect how landlords report their income tax to HMRC.
The original plan was for Landlords income of £10,000 or more from their properties must file their income and expenditure tax returns quarterly (instead annually) from 2024, however that has been moved to 2026/7.
From April 2026, all self-employed landlords or any landlord with an income of more than £50,000 will need to keep digital records and send HMRC via approved software quarterly updates on their income and expenditure.
Those landlords with a rental income of between £30,000 and £50,000 will need to do this from April 2027.
This means there will be four extra filings a year, with a fifth filing required to collate all the information.
The new regulations will also introduce a penalty point system to encourage compliance with submission dates.
The points system will replace the current fine structure, with an automatic £200 penalty applied once a certain number of points have been reached.
Exemptions are available for those who cannot cope with digital tax returns for genuine reasons. Landlords wishing to seek an exemption must apply through the HMRC website, and each case will be considered individually.
We understand this may be confusing and overwhelming for some landlords.
That’s why we are here to help.
If you have any questions or concerns about MTD for Income Tax, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Walters Lincoln.
We are happy to assist you and guide you through the process.
And if we don’t know the answer, we know someone who will!
Remember, these changes will be in effect from 6 April 2026, so it’s essential to start preparing for them now. By getting ahead of the game, you can ensure that your tax returns are submitted on time and avoid penalties.

Blogs

Why do 1 in 8.1 Lincoln Home Sellers End up Reducing Their Asking Price? 13th October Advice Sales

Why do 1 in 8.1 Lincoln Home Sellers End up Reducing Their Asking Price?

As the Lincoln property market shifts, more homeowners are facing the decision of when and by how much to adjust their asking prices. The choice can feel difficult, but in today’s climate, it is often the difference between attracting a buyer or sitting unsold for months. The supply of homes for sale in…

Read More
ASKING TOO MUCH: WHY ARE AGENTS OVERPRICING HOMES? 2nd October Advice

ASKING TOO MUCH: WHY ARE AGENTS OVERPRICING HOMES?

A darker side of estate agency has unfortunately come to the fore: overvaluing. While it’s nothing particularly new, the practice has been historically limited to a small number of estate agents. But now it’s become rife and causes untold heartache and stress for sellers. The market is booming, prices are…

Read More
Lincoln First-Time Buyers:  It’s Tough, But Not as Tough as You Think 2nd October Advice Sales

Lincoln First-Time Buyers: It’s Tough, But Not as Tough as You Think

The typical first-time buyer home in Lincoln costs £130,328, which is a lot of money in anyone’s book. For years, the housing affordability debate has been framed in terms of house prices compared to average incomes. That makes a neat headline, but it isn’t how first-time buyers think. When you are…

Read More