• Home
  • >
  • Blogs
  • >
  • Best MTD Compatible Software for Landlords in 2026

Best MTD Compatible Software for Landlords in 2026

Published By Snena Bajracharya
Published Date: September 15, 2025
Categories: Making Tax Digital

( Last Updated: July 28, 2026 )

Making Tax Digital (MTD) might sound a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s really just about moving the UK tax system into the digital age. Instead of dealing with piles of paperwork or endless spreadsheets, HMRC now wants everything to be filed online through approved software. The good news? There are loads of MTD-compatible options out there—whether you’re a landlord, a small business owner, or someone who just prefers keeping things simple with spreadsheets. From easy bridging tools to full accounting packages, there’s something for everyone. The key is finding software that fits your way of working, so tax doesn’t feel like such a headache.

The April 2026 and 2027 deadlines for MTD for Income Tax are approaching, and it is essential to choose the right MTD Compatible software.

But there are so many software providers in the market, and picking the right one can feel overwhelming. So, the safest approach is to start with HMRC-approved MTD-compatible Software and select the one that best fits your income type, pricing, and required features.

We have compiled a list of all HMRC-approved Software along with key details to help you decide. You can use our detailed overview of each Software and the final summary table to choose the best option for your needs.

1. RentalBux

RentalBux is an all-in-one platform that helps landlords manage properties, tenants, finances and tax complaince. It’s now HMRC-approved for UK property income and will soon support self-employment and foreign property income. RentalBux stands out for it’s comprehensive functionalities that gives landlord everything they’d ever need in one integrated platform. 

RentalBux Homepage (Custom)

Key Details

  • Best for: Landlords with UK property income, including Buy-to-Let, HMOs, and commercial properties
  • Cost: Free for 1 property unit until April 2028
  • Accrediation: HMRC approved for UK property income, utilises secure data centres with enterprise-level Microsoft operating systems, latest anti-virus protection, and Cisco Systems remote access security.
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: Free Trail Version Available 

Key Features of MTD

  • Digital Record Keeping – Automatically maintain digital records of rental income and expenses as required by MTD regulations for landlords
  • Bank Integration & Feeds – Link bank accounts and sync transactions for real-time financial data capture, also offers bank reconciliation to ensure accurate digital record
  • Automated Financial Reporting – Generate MTD-ready reports with just a few clicks for quarterly submissions and tax compliance
  • Income & Expense Tracking – Real-time tracking of all rental income and property-related expenses with automated categorisation to meet MTD record-keeping requirements
  • Automated Data Entry – Bank transaction matching and automated accounting to reduce manual data entry errors and maintain accurate digital records required for MTD compliance

Exclusive Features Only on RentalBux

  • Complete MTD Compatibility – Fully HMRC Recognised                    RentalBux is fully recognised by HMRC for all Making Tax Digital (MTD) components, including:
    • Income from UK Property
    • Foreign Property
    • Self-Employment Income
     This level of approval is rare, even among leading accounting platforms. Major names like Sage, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent are not fully approved across all these modules.
  • Exclusive Benefit for UKPA Clients – Free Access Until March 2028              All UK Property Accountants (UKPA) clients get free access to the RentalBux MTD and Accounting Modules until March 2028.
    • Includes complete MTD compliance tools and accounting features at no cost.
    • Other modules (e.g., analytics, property management) remain available for a separate fee.
     This offer ensures that landlords can stay MTD-compliant without incurring additional software costs during the transition period.

2. 123 Sheets

123 Sheets is HMRC-approved bridging Software for VAT and Income tax. It connects existing spreadsheet workflows directly to HMRC systems without forcing users to learn complex accounting software or abandon their existing tools. It is particularly useful for small business owners, accountants, and sole traders who prefer spreadsheet-based accounting.

123 Sheets

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders, Accountants, and Landlords with UK and foreign property income
  • Cost: Starts from £19.75 annually (first year half price) + VAT
  • Data Security Accreditation: UK-based secure data centres with enterprise-level Microsoft operating systems, latest anti-virus protection, and Cisco Systems remote access security
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: Free Trail Version Available 
  • Mobile App: No mobile app available

Key Features of MTD

  • Excel Integration: Compatible with Microsoft Excel 1997 through to the latest versions, which allows you to continue the use of existing spreadsheets
  • MTD VAT Filing: Direct submission of VAT returns from spreadsheets to HMRC’s MTD platform
  • Bridging Technology: Extracts relevant data from spreadsheets and sends it directly to HMRC in the required MTD format
  • Agent Support: Offers a dedicated agent version with data management features for accountants
  • Quarterly Updates: Supports quarterly submission requirements for MTD compliance

@Coconut

Coconut is an invoicing and expense management platform that also provides features for MTD compliance. Its main motto is to make financial management easy for freelancers without the complexity of traditional accounting software. It simplifies bookkeeping with a mobile-first approach, real-time bank integration, and intelligent transaction categorisation.

@Coconut

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders, and Landlords with UK and foreign property income
  • Cost: Paid plans starting from £9.95 per month
  • Data Security Accreditation: GDPR compliant with bank-level security
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: 30-day free trial available, plus free version for qualifying Zempler bank account holders
  • Mobile App: Yes, native mobile app available

Key Features of MTD

  • MTD-Ready Submissions: Supports quarterly updates and year-end submissions
  • Real-time Bank Integration: Connects with 25+ bank accounts and credit cards via Open Banking
  • Automatic Categorisation: Automatically categorises the transaction and allows users to input automated guidance for allowable expenses
  • Digital Record-Keeping: Captures photo receipts and secures cloud storage for all business paperwork
  • Tax Estimation: Calculates tax in real-time and show how much to set aside throughout the year
  • Accountant Portal: Offers a dedicated portal that allows real-time data sharing with accountants

4. Absolute Excel Income Tax Filer

Absolute Excel Income Tax Filer is a bridging Software that allows digital filing without changing the existing Excel workflow. It is a cost-effective solution for sole traders and landlords who want to comply with MTD while still using Excel or spreadsheets. Over one million successful VAT submissions back the absolute Excel Income Tax Filer.

Absolute Excel Income Tax Filer

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders and landlords with UK property income
  • Cost: Starts from £40 + VAT for 10 traders for a 12 month licence.
  • Data Security Accreditation: HMRC-approved with secure data transmission
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: Free trial available during the beta testing period
  • Mobile App: Not available

Key Features of MTD

  • Excel Compatibility: Works with Microsoft Excel 2010 or later versions, plus MAC compatibility with Excel 2016 or later
  • MTD Income Tax Filing: Offers bridging technology that helps to file income tax directly to HMRC’s MTD portal
  • Spreadsheet Integration: Links existing spreadsheets directly to HMRC’s MTD platform without additional accounting software
  • Agent Support: Offers agent support, making it a suitable solution for single businesses or agents managing multiple clients
  • Error Resolution: Offer a Knowledgebase function that helps to fix rejected returns from HMRC
  • Production Credentials: HMRC has officially approved this Software for use in the live Making Tax Digital system (not just the test data).

5. Andica Accounting Software

Andica Accounting Software is an easy-to-use bookkeeping solution for small businesses and accounting practices. It combines real-time financial performance tracking with MTD and offers a straightforward yet comprehensive accounting solution.

Andica Accounting Software

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders and landlords with UK property income
  • Cost: Starts from £100/year (excluding VAT)
  • Data Security Accreditation: Standard accounting software security
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: Not specified
  • Mobile App: Not specified

Key Features of MTD

  • MTD VAT Submissions: Offers direct online submission of Making Tax Digital for VAT from the Software
  • MTD SA Quarterly Updates: Allows quarterly submission for self-employment and property business for MTD compliance
  • Real-time Performance: Tracks business financial performance in real-time for informed decision making
  • Transaction Management: Automatically records income and expenses, processes sales and purchase invoices, and categorises transactions
  • Bank Integration: Automatically processes bank transactions and categorises the receipts and payments
  • Financial Reporting: Generates comprehensive financial reports for business analysis

6. ApariPro

ApariPro is an MTD-compatible self-assessment Software. It creates digital records and provides bridging functionality for HMRC submissions. ApariPro supports both quarterly updates and direct tax return filing.

ApariPro

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders and landlords with UK property income
  • Cost: £144/year for individuals, £36/client per year for accountants and tax agents
  • Data Security Accreditation: HMRC-recognised software compliance
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: Free trial account available
  • Mobile App: Not specified

Key Features of MTD

  • Digital Record Creation: Offers digital record-keeping capabilities for MTD compliance
  • Bridging Software: Connects directly with the HMRC system
  • Quarterly Updates: Allows the submission of quarterly MTD updates and final declaration directly to HMRC
  • Tax Return Integration: Completes tax return preparation and submission
  • Multi-Income Support: Handles self-employment and UK property income

7. Capium Limited — MTD for IT

Capium is cloud-based accountancy software that offers comprehensive MTD support and full practice management solution. It aims to make the transition to HMRC’s digital tax system easy for accountants and help them effectively prepare clients for MTD compliance.

Capium Limited

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders and landlords with UK and foreign property income
  • Cost: Starts from £135+VAT per month
  • Data Security Accreditation: GDPR compliant with password-protected documents and advanced data protection
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: 7-day free trial available
  • Mobile App: Not specified

Key Features of MTD

  • MTD for VAT Ready: Compatible for MTD for VAT submissions
  • MTD for Income Tax: Generates income and expense reports for MTD compliance
  • Bank Integration: Connects with the majority of UK banks via TrueLayer , and provides automatic reconciliation
  • Real-time Collaboration: Offers an Accountant platform that provides real-time access to categorised transactions, receipts and bookkeeping data
  • Integrated Workflow: Keeps data updated across all Capium software modules
  • Data Import: Offers CSV template support to import data from other Software

8. Clear Books

Clear Books is award-winning online accounting software for small businesses in the UK. It supports MTD for Income Tax, MTD VAT, CIS, and payroll. It also has multi-currency support and is particularly useful for limited companies, charities, partnerships, and sole traders.

Clear Books

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders, and Landlords with UK property income
  • Cost: Starts at £15/month (50% off for first 3 months)
  • Data Security Accreditation: Accredited by The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority
  • Trial/Freemium Availability: 30-day free trial available
  • Mobile App: Available for iOS and Android

Key Features of MTD

  • MTD Income Tax Compliance: Officially recognised by HMRC for MTD for Income Tax with quarterly updates and year-end submissions
  • MTD VAT Filing: HMRC-recognised for MTD VAT with confident reporting capabilities
  • Multi-Currency Support: Offers advanced multi-currency capabilities for international transactions
  • CIS Compliance: Offers built-in Construction Industry Scheme compliance features
  • Integrated Payroll: Processes payroll within the accounting platform, and offers advanced features like live financial reporting, and dividend tracking

9. Clear Books Free

Clear Books Free is the no-cost version of Clear Books. It is ideal for sole traders and landlords with basic needs. It provides essential MTD features like digital record keeping, tax filing, and professional-grade accounting for free.

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders, and Landlords with UK property income
  • Cost: Completely free
  • Data Security Accreditation: Same security standards as the paid version with ICB accreditation
  • Trial/Freemium Availability:Permanently free version available
  • Mobile App: Limited mobile access compared to the paid version

Key Features of MTD

  • Free MTD Compliance: Offers feature for MTD for Income Tax and VAT compliance at no cost
  • Digital Record-Keeping: Offers basic features for digital record-keeping and maintenance
  • Quarterly Updates: Supports quarterly updates and final declaration to the HMRC
  • Bank Integration: Connects with dozens of banks for auto feed extraction
  • Basic Reporting: Fundamental financial reporting for compliance

10. Forbes MTD

Forbes MTD provides bridging Software and full bookkeeping solutions for businesses using Excel, Sage, VT Transaction+, or other packages. It allows companies to maintain existing workflows while still achieving MTD compliance.

Forbes MTD

Key Details

  • Best for: Sole traders, and Landlords with UK and foreign property incom
  • Cost: £40+VAT for single company, £195+VAT for Agent (Multi company)
  • Data Security Accreditation: HMRC-compliant bridging software standards
  • Trial/Freemium Availability:Not specified
  • Mobile App: Available

Key Features of MTD

  • Bridging Software Solutions: Multiple bridging options for Excel, Sage, and other existing packages
  • Multi-Platform Support: Supports various existing accounting software and spreadsheet solutions
  • Flexible Compliance: Solutions for both current MTD requirements and post-soft landing period
  • Scalable Solutions: Range from simple smartphone apps to comprehensive bookkeeping software
  • Data Transmission: Secure data transmission to HMRC for various input sources

Conclusion

Choosing the right MTD-compatible software really comes down to your own situation.

If you’re a landlord managing multiple properties, a platform like RentalBux or Hammock might give you everything in one place. Prefer sticking with spreadsheets? Tools like 123 Sheets or Absolute Excel Filer will let you keep your workflow while still being compliant. And if you want a full accounting package that covers everything from invoicing to VAT, options like Clear Books, QuickBooks, or Xero are worth considering.

With the April 2026 and 2027 deadlines around the corner, now is the best time to test out free trials, explore the features, and see which software actually makes your life easier. At the end of the day, the goal of MTD is to simplify tax—not add extra stress—so the right software should feel like a helping hand, not a hurdle.

Need expert advice on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?

Contact us today for efficient and
hassle-free assistance.

Snena Bajracharya
Our Complete Guides
File your self assessment
Related Posts

Introducing RentalBux: Our MTD Software for Landlords

Generic software doesn't understand property businesses and require manual intervention to meet deadlines. That's why we developed RentalBux!

  • Built by Property Experts
  • Designed for UK Landlords
  • HMRC Recognised and MTD Compliant

Confused where to start?

Schedule a Free 15-minute discovery call by providing your contact details, mentioning your requirements, and selecting a convenient date for the call.

How our discovery call works:

Please wait while the page is loading
Current Progress
Current Progress

Complete Our Contact Form

Discovery Calls Scheduled

Receive a Tailored Proposal

Success message!
Warning message!
Error message!