Can't register with making tax digital

thetoothfairy

Is anyone else not able to register for making tax digital?

I definitely have to register. I am not exempt.

I've downloaded the bridging software and it requires me to register on the hmrc page with MTD but it simply won't let me. And my only option is to sign out. There is no link to a help page or anything.

I rang hmrc who took my details and sent my message on. I had a call back this morning and they couldn't help either! The response ultimately was to take a note of their name so I can dispute any penalties I'm going to accrue. They said that there is no dedicated help team or help number for MTD.

So I'm stuck!

Has anyone else had this problem?

sherlock228

try different bridging software?

thetoothfairy

thanks both

I'll have a see if there is different bridging software I can try - and will keep records and screenshots too - good idea 🙂

DRS1

Does your provider have a video or cheat sheet talking you through how to do it?

I remember messing it up the first time I tried. I can't remember why but I had missed something obvious and it worked OK when I tried again a few days later (pausing the video every few seconds to make sure I was on track).

Your provider might also have a help desk which could see if there are any obvious issues with how you are doing it. Or maybe issues they have had with other clients.

Savvy_Sue

The other 'obvious' thing to try is using a different browser, or even a different device!

thetoothfairy

thanks both - I'll have a go at those ideas tomorrow

martindow

No advice on this directly, but I have had issues when copying and pasting things. Some sites are very particular and if you paste in a rogue space it will be rejected. Sometimes the whole page is not accepted without indicating which field contains an error.

UKTaxHelper

A dead end where the only option is to sign out is usually the Government Gateway ID rather than the software. The bridging tool sends you to HMRC to authorise it against the account that actually holds your Self Assessment enrolment, so if you are signed in with a different ID to the one your return sits under there is nothing for it to attach to, and it just stops without telling you why. Worth checking which Gateway ID your Self Assessment is under and trying again with that one.

TaxSortedUK

One thing worth adding for peace of mind on the penalty side: for the first year of MTD for Income Tax (2026-27) HMRC has confirmed there are no late submission penalty points for the quarterly updates. So you are not clocking up penalties while you get the login sorted. The digital record keeping requirement itself still applies, so keep your income and expense records up to date, but the quarterly update timing has a soft landing this first year.

On the registration itself, UKTaxHelper is spot on - that sign out dead end is nearly always a Government Gateway ID mismatch. The software authorises against whichever Gateway account holds your Self Assessment, so if you are logged in under a different ID there is nothing for it to attach to and it just stops. Worth checking which ID your SA sits under and trying again with that one.