Is Your MTD Software Actually HMRC-Recognised? How to Check
'HMRC approved' is a claim anyone can print on a website. There is exactly one list that decides it — here is how to check a product in under a minute, and what the label does not mean.
The short answer
“HMRC approved” is not a badge anyone audits — it is a claim on a website. There is exactly one thing that settles it: whether the product appears in HMRC’s own finder. 135 products do, as at 2 September 2026. Checking takes under a minute and you should do it before you pay, not after.
Who we are, before you read a word of this. We sell one product, the Landlord Tax Pack (a £19 Excel workbook). It is not MTD software, it is not on HMRC’s list and it cannot file your quarterly update. HMRC’s developer guide, updated 7 August 2026, states: “HMRC is no longer accepting production credential access requests for new 2026–27 quarterly update products, as the market window for these products has now closed.” — so no new product joins the list for this tax year. That is exactly why this page counts the official list instead of ranking anything of ours at the top of it.
Check it in under a minute
- Open HMRC’s software finder.
- Choose Check if my current software is compatible — or Show a list of all available software to browse.
- Answer “as a sole trader or landlord”.
- Look for the exact product name. Not the company — the product. Several vendors have one recognised product and several that are not.
If it is not there, it cannot send your quarterly update, whatever the marketing says.
What the label does and does not mean
| The “HMRC-recognised” label | |
|---|---|
| It does mean | The product has been through HMRC’s recognition process and can talk to the MTD for Income Tax APIs correctly |
| It does not mean | HMRC endorses it. HMRC states it “does not recommend any product or software provider” |
| It does not mean | The price is fair, the support is good, or your data is well handled |
| It does not mean | It fits your situation — joint ownership, several properties and self-employment are all things to check separately |
| It does not mean | Anything about MTD for VAT, which is a different list of 465 products |
The claim to be most sceptical of
“HMRC recognition pending” and “approved for the new tax year”. HMRC’s developer guide, updated 7 August 2026, states: “HMRC is no longer accepting production credential access requests for new 2026–27 quarterly update products, as the market window for these products has now closed.” For 2026/27 the list is what it is. A product that is not on it now will not be on it this tax year.
We are in that position ourselves, which is why this page exists rather than a ranked list with our name at the top of it.
The list, by the numbers
| HMRC filter | Products |
|---|---|
| All recognised products | 135 |
| All-in-one — software that creates the digital records | 112 |
| Bridging — connects to records you already keep in a spreadsheet | 72 |
| Has a free version | 36 |
| Free and bridging | 19 |
| Also handles VAT | 76 |
| Includes HMRC Assist submission feedback | 32 |
| Runs in a web browser | 119 |
| Windows desktop app | 125 |
| iPhone / iPad app | 53 |
| Android app | 52 |
| Built for blindness or impaired vision | 44 |
| Available in Welsh | 3 |
Counted from HMRC’s software finder on 2 September 2026, filtering as a sole trader or landlord. HMRC’s guidance pages were last updated 13 July 2026. The list is HMRC’s and it moves — check it before you buy.
Before you pay, check these five
- Your income sources. Property and self-employment are separate quarterly update lines.
- Joint ownership. If you own with a spouse, check how the product splits the figures.
- Your accountant. Agent access is a filter in the finder — ask before you buy.
- VAT, if relevant. 76 of the 135 also cover VAT.
- Accessibility, if relevant. 44 list features for blindness or impaired vision; 3 are available in Welsh.
Quick answers
Use HMRC's own finder at tax.service.gov.uk and choose “Check if my current software is compatible”. If the exact product name is not listed, it is not recognised for MTD for Income Tax, regardless of what the vendor's site says.
Yes — HMRC's finder is the list. As at 2 September 2026 it holds 135 products for sole traders and landlords: 112 all-in-one, 72 bridging, 36 with a free version.
No. HMRC's wording is that “All software listed has been through HMRC's recognition process. HMRC does not recommend any product or software provider.” It is a technical check, not a review.
Not for 2026/27. HMRC's developer guide, updated 7 August 2026, states it is “no longer accepting production credential access requests for new 2026–27 quarterly update products, as the market window for these products has now closed.”
No. They are separate lists. A product recognised for MTD for VAT is not automatically recognised for MTD for Income Tax, and the VAT list is far bigger (465 products against 135).