Setting up AffordableMTD takes about five minutes. By the end, your HMRC account will be connected, your businesses will be synced, and you'll be ready to submit your first quarterly update.
Here's exactly what to do.
What you'll need before you start
- A Government Gateway account — this is the login you use for HMRC online services. If you file Self Assessment, you already have one. If not, you can create one on GOV.UK.
- Your National Insurance number (NINO) — found on payslips, your P60, or letters from HMRC. It's in the format AB 12 34 56 C.
- MTD for Income Tax sign-up — you must be signed up for MTD for Income Tax with HMRC before you can submit quarterly updates through any software. You can sign up on GOV.UK.
Not sure if MTD applies to you? Check our blog post on who needs to file MTD — it includes a free eligibility checker.
Step-by-step setup
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Create your account
Sign up with your email address and create a password. You'll receive a confirmation email — click the link to verify your account and log in.
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Connect to HMRC
From your dashboard, click Connect to HMRC. You'll be redirected to the HMRC Government Gateway login page. Sign in with your Government Gateway user ID and password, then grant AffordableMTD permission to submit MTD data on your behalf.
This uses HMRC's official OAuth process — AffordableMTD never sees your Government Gateway password. See How to Connect Your HMRC Account for more detail and troubleshooting.
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Enter your National Insurance number
After connecting, you'll be asked to enter your NINO. This is required so HMRC can match your submissions to the correct taxpayer record. You only need to enter it once.
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Your businesses sync automatically
AffordableMTD pulls your registered businesses from HMRC — whether that's a sole trade, rental property, or both. You'll see them listed on your dashboard along with their quarterly obligation deadlines.
The sync happens automatically whenever you log in (if it's been more than an hour since the last sync). You can also trigger a manual sync at any time.
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Choose your quarter type
Before your first submission, you'll choose between standard quarters (6 April – 5 July, etc.) and calendar quarters (1 April – 30 June, etc.). Most people stick with standard quarters, but calendar quarters can be easier if your bookkeeping already follows calendar months.
This is a one-time election for the tax year. You can change it for the next tax year.
That's it. You're now set up and ready to submit. When your first quarterly deadline approaches, head to How to Submit a Quarterly Update for a walkthrough of the submission process.
What happens after setup?
Your dashboard shows all your businesses and their upcoming quarterly obligations. Each quarter has a clear status — open, due soon, submitted, or overdue — so you always know where you stand.
When you're ready to submit a quarterly update, you can enter your income and expenses manually or import a spreadsheet. AffordableMTD handles the submission to HMRC, and you'll get a confirmation once it's accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be signed up for MTD with HMRC first?
Yes. AffordableMTD is the software you use to submit — but you need to have signed up for MTD for Income Tax through HMRC separately. This is a one-time process done on GOV.UK.
Can I use AffordableMTD if I have an accountant?
Yes. If you do your own bookkeeping and just need software to submit your quarterly updates, AffordableMTD works perfectly alongside your accountant. Your accountant can also use their own agent software if they prefer to submit on your behalf.
What if my business doesn't appear after connecting?
This usually means you haven't yet signed up for MTD for Income Tax with HMRC, or the sign-up hasn't been processed yet. Check your MTD status on GOV.UK and allow 72 hours for HMRC to process new sign-ups.