--- title: Important dates when beginning to file your MTD returns description: An table showing important dates when beginning to file your MTD Returns and fully understand when the first MTD returns affects you. image: https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/A%20businessman%20using%20his%20laptop%20for%20Making%20Tax%20Digital%20for%20his%20VAT%20MTD%20.jpeg --- [![Shorts_logo_White](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/New%20Site%202018/Shorts_logo_White.svg "Shorts_logo_White")](https://www.shorts.uk.com/) [Blogs & News](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/) > [VAT](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/vat) # Important dates when beginning to file your MTD returns Alicia Williams - 17 April 2019 ###### Select topic - Please Select - [ Audit ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/audit) [ Business Taxes ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/business-taxes) [ Radius – R&D Tax Relief & Patent Box ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/radius-rd-tax-relief-patent-box) [ Corporate Finance ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/corporate-finance) [ GENUS Management Accounts ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/genus-management-accounts) [ VAT ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/vat) [ Private Client ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/private-client) [ Payroll ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/payroll) [ EOT ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/eot) [ International Taxes ](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/international-taxes) ![featured image](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/A%20businessman%20using%20his%20laptop%20for%20Making%20Tax%20Digital%20for%20his%20VAT%20MTD%20.jpeg) So, the 1st April has come and gone and it definately wasn't an April Fool.  We've been catching adverts on the television and radio for weeks and finally, it's here; Making Tax Digital really is upon us.  By now, most people will have made sure that their software is MTD compliant, which for some, means getting to grips with new or upgraded packages and from this point onwards, each VAT period commencing on or after 1st April must be returned to HMRC under the new MTD rules.    Having spoken to a number of clients recently about when their first MTD VAT return will fall, it is useful to have an overall table to fully understand when the first MTD returns will affect you, and when you should be applying for MTD with HMRC for these returns. | **VAT Period** | **VAT Cycle** | **First MTD Return** | **Submission dates** | **MTD sign up for first MTD return if on DD** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Monthly | April | 01.04.19 to 30.04.19 | 01.05.19 to 07.06.19 | 15 May to 30 May | | Quarterly | June, Sept, Dec, Mar | 01 April to 30 June | 01.07.19 to 07.08.19 | 15 April to 26 July | | Quarterly | July, Oct, Jan, Apr | 01 May to 31 July | 01.08.19 to 07.09.19 | 15 May to 28 August | | Quarterly | Aug, Nov, Feb, May | 01 June to 31 August | 01.09.19 to 07.10.19 | 15 June to 26 September | Eventhough you are using compliant software, there are still a couple of steps you need to perform ([Click here for more details of steps to be taken](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/mtd-compliant-software-the-next-steps)) before you can begin submitting your MTD returns.  Businesses that currently pay their VAT by Direct Debit cannot sign up in the 7 working days leading up to, or the 5 working days after a VAT Return is due, so it is worth checking to make sure that you do this within the correct time window - (in some cases, this doesn't allow much time).   Those that do not pay by Direct Debit can sign up any time after the final non-MTD return submission. If you would like help with any aspect of your MTD, or would like us to carry out the next steps for you, then please speak to one of our team by emailing [mtd@shorts.uk.com](mailto:mtd@shorts.uk.co,m)  Other related artices; - [MTD Compliant Software - what are the next steps?](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/mtd-compliant-software-the-next-steps) - [MTD presenting businesses with more opportunities than problems](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/mtd-presenting-more-opportunities-than-problems) - [Shorts, Moss Valley and Xero - a winning combination](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/shorts-moss-valley-and-xero-a-winning-combination)   ![author](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hubfs/Alicia%20williams-1.jpg) #### Alicia Williams I am Partner of the Genus team at Shorts, a chartered certified accountant and Xero specialist. I specialise in cloud-based accounting solutions, particularly Xero and add-on software, helping clients streamline processes and improve efficiency. As a Client FD, I work closely with businesses to give them a clear understanding of their current position and support their long-term planning and growth. [View my articles](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/author/alicia-williams) Tags: [VAT](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/vat), [Accountancy Services](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/accountancy-services), [Making Tax Digital](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/topic/making-tax-digital) Share this on - - - [Questions? Get in touch with us](https://www.shorts.uk.com/contact/) ###### Tax Saving Guide 2026-27 Written especially for entrepreneurs and owner-managed businesses, this guide is full of planning ideas and tax risks to avoid. [ Download now ](https://info.shorts.uk.com/en-gb/tax-saving-guide) ![Tax saving guide 2026-27](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tax%20saving%20guide%202024.jpg?width=375&height=465&name=Tax%20saving%20guide%202024.jpg) ###### Related articles ##### [VAT and Making Tax Digital (MTD) – don’t risk a penalty](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/vat-and-making-tax-digital-penalty) ##### [VAT penalties from January 2023](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/vat-penalties-from-january-2023) ##### [Is your business partially exempt for VAT purposes?](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/vat-is-your-business-partially-exempt) ##### [Capital Gains Tax when selling residential property](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/capital-gains-tax-on-the-disposal-of-residential-properties) ###### Latest articles [Should UK business owners reconsider exit timing?](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/uk-business-owners-reconsider-exit-timing) [Xerocon 2026: Innovation, inspiration and a look at the future](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/xerocon-2026-innovation-inspiration-and-a-look-at-the-future) [Salary sacrifice pension changes 2029: what you need to know](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/salary-sacrifice-pension-changes-2029) [How to separate a business through a demerger](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/how-to-separate-a-business-through-a-demerger) [A case of aggressive tax avoidance: Glasgow Rangers Football Club](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/aggressive-tax-avoidance-affect-you) [What is VAT? - Complete Guide (Updated for 2025/26)](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/what-is-vat) [Ashgate Hospice Sparkle Night Walk 2026](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/ashgate-hospice-sparkle-night-walk-2026) [Stocktaking guide for UK businesses](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/stocktaking-guide-for-uk-businesses) [Supporting the Chatsworth Cascade for future generations](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/supporting-the-chatsworth-cascade-for-future-generations) [Deal of the Year win at Insider Dealmakers Awards 2026](https://blog.shorts.uk.com/deal-of-the-year-win-at-insider-dealmakers-awards-2026) #### About Us Use this little footer to reinforce your message about who you are and why people love working with you. 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