Making Tax Digital Is Changing—What Sole Traders Need to Know Before April
A simple guide for hair & beauty professionals
Big changes are coming to the way sole traders report their income to HMRC.
If you’re a freelancer, chair renter, or self-employed salon professional, you may have heard the term Making Tax Digital (MTD)—but many people are still unsure what it actually means and when it will affect them.
At Abundance Accountancy, we want our clients to feel prepared, not pressured. So here’s a clear, straightforward explanation of what’s happening and what you should be thinking about now.
What is Making Tax Digital?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is HMRC’s move towards a more digital system.
Instead of submitting one self-assessment tax return per year, affected businesses will need to:
keep digital records
use compatible software
send quarterly updates to HMRC during the year
The aim is to make tax reporting more accurate and reduce surprises.
When do the changes start?
The rules begin to apply from April 2026, but whether you are included depends on your income level.
If your total income from self-employment and/or property reaches the threshold set by HMRC, which is currently £50,000, you will be required to follow the new system.
Many growing hair and beauty professionals may fall into this category sooner than they expect.
💄 What this means for freelancers
If MTD applies to you, the days of pulling everything together once a year will change.
You will need:
- digital bookkeeping
- regular record keeping
- compatible accounting software
- more frequent submissions
For some, this will feel like a big shift.
🌿 The opportunity hidden in the change
Although it sounds like extra work, there is a positive side.
Done properly, MTD can actually help you:
✨ understand your income more clearly
✨ Stay organized throughout the year
✨ avoid last-minute stress
✨ plan for tax in advance
✨ run your business more professionally
🚩 Why many sole traders may struggle
We often see freelancers who:
❌ keep paper notes
❌ rely on memory
❌ mix business and personal spending
❌ rush near the deadline
Under MTD, these habits become difficult.
That’s why preparation matters.
✨ How a specialist accountant makes this easier
This is where support becomes invaluable.
At Abundance Accountancy, we help you:
✔ set up simple digital systems
✔ choose the right software
✔ Maintain organized records
✔ understand what HMRC expects
✔ stay compliant without overwhelm
Most importantly, we make sure the process feels manageable and clear.
🌿 Should you act now?
If you are a sole trader and your income is growing, now is the perfect time to get prepared.
Waiting until the rules arrive can create unnecessary pressure.
A short conversation today could prevent a lot of stress later.
🌟 How we can help
We specialize in supporting hair and beauty professionals who want to feel confident about their finances.
If you’d like to understand whether Making Tax Digital will affect you—and what steps to take—we’re happy to guide you.
👉 Book a free discovery call to discuss your situation.
📧 finance@abundanceaccountancy.com