qwartly - MTD Bridging Software That Lets You Keep Your Spreadsheet

qwartly is MTD bridging software that connects your existing spreadsheets to Making Tax Digital. No new software to learn, no data to re-enter. Just £49/year.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Starts April 2026

From April 2026, HMRC requires sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000 to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates using MTD-compatible software. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.

How It Works

  1. Upload your spreadsheet - Drop in the same Excel or CSV file you already use.
  2. Map your columns - Tell qwartly which columns are income, expenses, and dates.
  3. Submit to HMRC - We format everything to HMRC's spec and submit via their official API.

MTD Bridging Software Pricing

£49 per year - Unlimited quarterly submissions, all spreadsheet formats, direct HMRC API connection, column mapping saved for next time, submission history and confirmations, email support.

That's less than £1 per week. Most MTD software charges £12-£30 per month.

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What Is MTD Bridging Software?

If you've heard the term "MTD bridging software" and aren't sure what it means, you're not alone. With Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starting in April 2026, thousands of UK sole traders and landlords are trying to work out what software they actually need. This page explains everything you need to know.

MTD Bridging Software Explained

MTD bridging software is a type of application that connects your existing record-keeping tools - such as Excel spreadsheets, Google Sheets, or CSV files - to HMRC's Making Tax Digital system. Instead of forcing you to switch to entirely new accounting software, bridging software acts as a bridge between the way you already work and the digital format HMRC requires.

Under Making Tax Digital, HMRC requires that your income and expense data is submitted digitally every quarter. The data must travel via software to HMRC's API - you can't simply type numbers into the HMRC website. Bridging software reads your spreadsheet data and submits it in the correct format, so you don't need to change how you keep your records.

How Does HMRC Bridging Software Work?

The process is straightforward. Here's how it typically works:

  1. You keep your records in a spreadsheet - tracking your income, expenses, and dates in whatever format works for you.
  2. You upload or connect your spreadsheet to the bridging software. The software reads your data and maps it to the fields HMRC expects.
  3. The software submits to HMRC via their official Making Tax Digital API. You receive a confirmation reference number.

That's it. Your spreadsheet stays exactly as it is. The bridging software handles the translation and submission.

Who Needs MTD Bridging Software?

MTD bridging software is ideal for anyone who already tracks their income and expenses in a spreadsheet and doesn't want to switch to dedicated accounting software. This includes:

  • Sole traders - freelancers, contractors, and self-employed professionals with self-employment income over £50,000 (from April 2026), £30,000 (from April 2027), or £20,000 (from April 2028).
  • Landlords - property owners with rental income above the thresholds who track their rental income and property expenses in spreadsheets.
  • Anyone who prefers spreadsheets - if you've built a tracking system that works for you, bridging software lets you keep it.

MTD Bridging Software vs Full Accounting Software

Full MTD-compatible accounting software (like Xero, QuickBooks, or FreeAgent) replaces your entire bookkeeping workflow. You enter transactions into their system, and they handle everything including the HMRC submission. This works well for people who want an all-in-one solution, but it means learning a new system, potentially re-entering years of data, and paying monthly subscription fees that typically range from £12 to £30 per month.

MTD bridging software takes a different approach. It doesn't replace your workflow - it extends it. You continue using your spreadsheet, and the bridging software handles only the HMRC submission part. This is simpler, cheaper, and means zero disruption to how you work.

Is Bridging Software HMRC Approved?

HMRC maintains a list of compatible software for Making Tax Digital. To be on this list, software must connect to HMRC's official MTD API and meet their technical requirements. qwartly is built to HMRC's MTD API specification and will be listed on GOV.UK's software choices page before launch.

Why Choose qwartly?

qwartly is MTD bridging software designed specifically for sole traders and landlords who want to keep their spreadsheets. It supports Excel, CSV, and ODS files, costs just £49 per year (no monthly fees), and connects directly to HMRC's Making Tax Digital API. Upload your spreadsheet, map your columns once, and submit - it takes minutes, not hours.

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All prices include VATAnnual subscription: £49/year