For Sole Traders
Sole trader accounting
software with MTD built in
Margin tracks your income and expenses, submits quarterly updates to HMRC automatically, and keeps your books MTD-compliant — without the complexity or cost of enterprise accounting tools.
Start free — no credit card
Free plan available · Standard from £14.99/month · 14-day trial
Why it matters now
MTD ITSA is already mandatory for sole traders over £50k
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax ended the single annual Self Assessment return for sole traders above the income threshold. Quarterly digital submissions to HMRC are now a legal requirement — and the threshold is coming down further in 2027.
April 2026
MTD mandatory for sole traders earning over £50,000/year
April 2027
Threshold drops to £30,000 — covering millions more
4×/year
Quarterly updates replace the single Self Assessment return
Margin connects to HMRC once via Government Gateway. From then on, quarterly updates are submitted automatically on the morning of each deadline — you don't need to log in to HMRC or remember dates.
Read the full guide: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax — sole trader guide →
Common questions
Do I need accounting software as a sole trader?
If your income exceeds £50,000 (from April 2026) or £30,000 (from April 2027), you're legally required to use MTD-compatible software to submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Even below the threshold, accounting software saves significant time and keeps your records ready for when you do become mandated.
Is there free sole trader accounting software in the UK?
Yes — Margin's free plan covers unlimited transactions, invoicing, expense tracking, and document storage with no time limit. MTD ITSA quarterly filing requires the Standard plan at £14.99/month, which is one of the lowest prices on the market for a fully MTD-compliant solution.
Can Margin handle both self-employment and rental income?
Yes. If you have both self-employment income and rental income, Margin tracks them separately and includes both in a single MTD ITSA quarterly submission to HMRC. The tax calculation accounts for both sources correctly.
How does auto-filing work?
Enable auto-filing in Margin's settings. During the quarterly filing window, Margin checks each morning whether your books meet the minimum completeness threshold (at least 80% of transactions categorised — configurable). If they do, it submits your quarterly update to HMRC automatically at 08:00. If not, it shows a warning on your dashboard so you can act before the deadline. It will never file an incomplete return.
Can I switch from my current accounting software to Margin?
Yes. Export your transaction history as a CSV from your current software and import it into Margin. Most users complete the switch in under an hour. See our
CSV import guide for step-by-step instructions.
Does Margin work with my accountant?
Yes. You can invite your accountant via a secure link. They get read-only or accountant-mode access — clearly labelled — and can export year-end packs (P&L, payroll summary, invoices) with one click. See the
accountant partner programme for details.