MTD for Agents and Accountants: Managing Client Submissions

MTD changes the way accountants and tax agents work with their clients. Instead of collecting a year's worth of records and filing a single return, agents need to manage quarterly submissions throughout the year. Here is how it works.

Agent Access Under MTD

Accountants and tax agents access MTD through HMRC's Agent Services Account (ASA). This allows you to:

• Sign up clients for MTD on their behalf
• Submit quarterly updates for your clients
• File final declarations
• View your clients' MTD status and submission history

You need to link your existing agent reference to your Agent Services Account if you have not already done so.

What Changes for Agents

More frequent touchpoints. Instead of one annual filing, you have five submissions per client per year (four quarterly updates plus a final declaration).

Ongoing record quality. You need clients to keep digital records throughout the year, not just hand over a bag of receipts in January.

Software access. You need to be able to access your clients' MTD software or use your own software to manage submissions.

Client communication. More frequent submissions mean more opportunities for review and advice, but also more admin if not managed efficiently.

Managing Multiple Clients

With each client requiring five submissions per year, an accountant with 100 clients needs to manage 500 submissions annually. Efficient software is essential.

Accounted's accountant portal lets you manage all your clients from a single dashboard. You can:

• View all clients' MTD status at a glance
• Review quarterly summaries before submission
• Submit on behalf of clients with one click
• Set up alerts for upcoming deadlines
• Access client transaction records directly

Encouraging Client Compliance

The biggest challenge for agents is ensuring clients maintain digital records throughout the year. Strategies that work:

• Recommend software with bank feeds — automatic transaction import removes the burden from clients
• Schedule regular check-ins — quarterly reviews aligned with MTD deadlines
• Provide training — show clients how to use their software for 15 minutes per week
• Use software with AI categorisation — reduces the client's workload to reviewing suggestions rather than categorising from scratch

Pricing Your MTD Services

MTD significantly increases your workload per client. Consider:

• Charging per quarterly submission rather than a single annual fee
• Offering tiered packages (quarterly review only vs full management)
• Bundling software with your service
• Using technology to reduce per-client time

MTD is coming. Accounted is already compliant. Start free and be ready before the deadline.