Reporting property income to HMRC

Why Quarterwise needs a “business” from HMRC

When you connect to HMRC, Quarterwise asks HMRC which businesses are registered against your National Insurance number. For landlords that’s a UK property business, which HMRC identifies with a business ID. We can read that ID and file your quarterly updates against it — but only HMRC can create it, by having your property income on your tax record.

If you already complete a Self Assessment tax return

If you already report rental income through Self Assessment, HMRC already holds a property business for you. It will appear automatically when you connect — there’s nothing extra to set up.

If you’re new to property income

If you’ve just started letting a property (or you’ve become a co-owner and have never reported rental income before), HMRC won’t have a property business for you yet. You’ll need to tell HMRC about your property income first. You can do that here:

• Register for Self Assessment — choose the option for income from property/land.
• Renting out a property: paying tax — HMRC’s overview of your obligations as a landlord.

Once HMRC has registered your property income, your property business will appear the next time you connect in Quarterwise.

Do you actually need Making Tax Digital yet?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being phased in by income level. You’re required to use it once your combined self-employment and property income is above:

• £50,000 — from 6 April 2026
• £30,000 — from 6 April 2027
• £20,000 — from 6 April 2028

Income is measured per person, on your share. If your share of the rental income is below the threshold that applies to you, you don’t need quarterly updates yet — you can keep reporting through your normal Self Assessment return. You can check your position with HMRC’s eligibility checker.

Quarterwise is software, not a tax adviser. If you’re unsure whether you need to register or whether MTD applies to you, check with HMRC or a qualified accountant.