MTD End of Period Statement (EOPS) Explained
The End of Period Statement — usually called EOPS — is one of the submissions you'll need to make under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. It's not complicated, but it helps to understand what it is and when it's due.
What Is an End of Period Statement?
After you've submitted your four quarterly updates for the tax year, the End of Period Statement is where you confirm that your figures for each income source are complete and correct.
Think of it as a sign-off. You're telling HMRC: "I've reported all my income and expenses for this business (or property) for the year, and I'm happy the numbers are right."
You submit one EOPS per income source. So if you have:
- One self-employment → one EOPS
- One self-employment + one rental property → two EOPS
- Two rental properties → you may need one or two, depending on how HMRC treats them (UK property income is usually grouped together)
What's Included in the EOPS?
The EOPS includes:
- Your total income and expenses for the year — these come from your four quarterly updates, plus any adjustments
- Accounting adjustments — things like capital allowances, stock adjustments, or disallowable expenses
- Any corrections to your quarterly figures — if you estimated any numbers in your quarterly updates, this is where you put the final figures
Your MTD software should pull in the figures from your quarterly updates automatically. You'll review them, make any year-end adjustments, and submit.
When Is the EOPS Due?
The EOPS deadline is 31 January after the end of the tax year — the same deadline as the current Self Assessment tax return.
For the 2026/27 tax year (the first year of MTD for most people):
| Submission | Period | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 quarterly update | 6 Apr – 5 Jul 2026 | 7 Aug 2026 |
| Q2 quarterly update | 6 Jul – 5 Oct 2026 | 7 Nov 2026 |
| Q3 quarterly update | 6 Oct – 5 Jan 2027 | 7 Feb 2027 |
| Q4 quarterly update | 6 Jan – 5 Apr 2027 | 7 May 2027 |
| End of Period Statement | Full year | 31 Jan 2028 |
| Final Declaration | Full year | 31 Jan 2028 |
You have plenty of time between your last quarterly update and the EOPS deadline. Most people will submit their EOPS and Final Declaration at the same time.
EOPS vs Final Declaration — What's the Difference?
They're often confused because they're usually submitted together, but they serve different purposes:
- EOPS = confirms the figures for each income source are correct (one per business/property)
- Final Declaration = confirms your overall tax position across all income sources, including any other income, reliefs, or allowances
The Final Declaration is the one that replaces your Self Assessment tax return. It's where your total tax bill is calculated.
The order is: quarterly updates → EOPS → Final Declaration.
Do I Need an Accountant for the EOPS?
Not necessarily. If your finances are straightforward, your MTD software will prepare the EOPS from your quarterly data. You review and submit.
If you have complex adjustments — capital allowances on expensive equipment, overlap relief, losses to carry forward — this is where an accountant adds value. Many sole traders handle quarterly updates themselves and bring in an accountant for the EOPS and Final Declaration.
ClearMTD handles the quarterly updates and will guide you through the EOPS when the time comes.
What Happens If I Miss the EOPS Deadline?
The EOPS is part of the overall MTD submission cycle. Missing it means you haven't completed your obligations for the tax year. HMRC's new points-based penalty system applies:
- You receive a penalty point for each late submission
- After accumulating a threshold number of points, you receive a £200 penalty
- There's also a new late payment penalty system based on how late you pay
During the first year (2026/27), HMRC has confirmed a soft landing period where they won't penalise late quarterly updates — but the EOPS and Final Declaration deadlines are still expected to be enforced.
Getting Ready
The EOPS won't be due until January 2028 at the earliest, but the quarterly updates that feed into it start in April 2026. Getting your MTD software set up early means your EOPS will be straightforward — it's just confirming numbers you've already been submitting.
Check if MTD applies to you with our free MTD checker, then sign up for ClearMTD to start keeping your records digitally.