Making Tax Digital: What It Means for Local Service Businesses, and how getSoapy can help

Let’s be honest – tax isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. But there’s a big change coming, and it’s called Making Tax Digital (MTD). Don’t panic! You don’t need to be a spreadsheet wizard or a tech genius to keep up. In fact, if you’re using getSoapy, you’re already halfway there. So, grab a cuppa (or something stronger), and let’s break it down.

What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?

In a nutshell, MTD is HMRC’s plan to drag tax into the 21st century. No more shoeboxes full of receipts or last-minute panic with the calculator. Instead, you’ll need to keep digital records and send updates to HMRC using approved software. The idea is to cut down on mistakes and make tax less of a headache for everyone. (We’ll let you know if they ever manage to make it fun.)

Who Needs to Worry About MTD, and When?

If you’re VAT-registered and turning over more than £85,000 a year, you’re already living the MTD life. For everyone else, here’s the rundown:

• Sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000: MTD for Income Tax kicks in from April 2026.
• Income over £30,000: You’ve got until April 2027.
• Under £30,000? You can breathe easy for now, but keep an eye out, HMRC may lower the threshold in future.

If you’re not sure where you stand, it’s worth checking your last year’s figures. Or ask your accountant (they love this stuff).

What Does MTD Mean for Your Business?

Here’s the short version:

• No more paper records. Everything needs to be digital.
• Quarterly updates. Instead of one big annual panic, you’ll send smaller updates every few months.
• Approved software only. No more scribbling on the back of an envelope.

If you’re already using getSoapy for your jobs, invoices, and expenses, you’re well on your way. If not, now’s a great time to start.

How getSoapy Helps You Prepare for MTD

Let’s not beat around the bush – getSoapy was built to make your life easier, not harder. Here’s how it fits in:

• Digital record keeping: Every job, invoice, and expense is logged automatically. No more hunting for lost paperwork.
• Automatic invoicing: Mark a job as done, and getSoapy sorts the invoice for you. It’s like having a tiny, tireless bookkeeper in your pocket.
• Expense tracking: Snap a photo of your receipts, log your costs, and see where your money’s going – all in one place.
• Easy exports: Need to send your records to your accountant? Export everything in a few clicks. (Even your accountant will be impressed).
• Customer management: Keep all your customer details, job history, and payments tidy and accessible – no more sticky notes.

Direct MTD Submission: Coming Soon to getSoapy

Here’s the big news: getSoapy will support direct MTD submissions in plenty of time for the deadlines. That means you’ll be able to send your tax returns straight to HMRC from getSoapy – no faffing about with extra software or double data entry.

We’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure it’s as simple as possible. We’ll keep you posted as we roll out new features, so you’ll always be one step ahead.

What Should You Do Now?

• Use getSoapy for all your invoicing and expenses. The more you use it, the easier your tax will be.
• Keep your records up to date. Little and often beats a last-minute scramble every time.
• Need to submit VAT or tax returns before getSoapy’s direct submission is live? No problem – just export your data and upload it to your accountant’s favourite MTD software (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or whatever takes their fancy).

Frequently Asked Questions

When will getSoapy’s MTD submission feature be available? We’ll have it ready well before the HMRC deadlines. Watch this space for updates.

Can I use getSoapy for all my record keeping now? Absolutely! Invoices, expenses, customer details – getSoapy’s got you covered.

What if I’m not VAT-registered yet? You’ve got a bit more time, but it’s smart to get your records in order now. Future you will thank you.

How do I export my data for my accountant? It’s easy – just head to the export section in getSoapy, choose what you need, and send it over. If you get stuck, our support team is always happy to help.

Stay Tuned

We’re committed to making tax as painless as possible (we can’t promise it’ll ever be fun). If you’ve got questions, feedback, or just want to vent about HMRC, drop us a line. And if you want to be the first to know when MTD submission goes live, sign up for our updates.

Ready to Make Tax Easy?

Log in to getSoapy, keep your records up to date, and let us handle the boring bits – so you can get back to what you do best. (And maybe enjoy that pint with one less thing to worry about).