North East Accountant Showcases Live MTD Filing to Treasury Minister

22 July 2025

Lorraine Ellison FCMA, founder of Simply Additions Ltd, demonstrated a live Making Tax Digital (MTD) quarterly update submission on Intuit QuickBooks to Exchequer Secretary to HM Treasury, James Murray MP, during a visit to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 22 July 2025.

The session formed part of an MTD roundtable event, where Lorraine showcased how MTD for Income Tax works in practice. The HMRC MTD leadership team — including Jonathan Athow, Suzanne Newton, Craig Ogilvie, Jen Staves, Christopher Jennings, and Nick Atkinson — were also in attendance to discuss the upcoming changes for sole traders and landlords.

“It looked easy because of the groundwork we put in with clean records, monthly bookkeeping and robust digital systems,” said Lorraine. “My aim was to show policymakers the real-world process and the steps small businesses need to take to be fully MTD-ready.”

What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?

• UK sole traders and landlords with turnover plus gross rental income over £50,000 per tax year
• Must submit quarterly returns from April 2026
• Must use MTD-compatible digital software

Lorraine’s Top MTD Readiness Tips

1. Open a business bank account – a good one is Mettle by NatWest.
2. Use that account solely for business transactions, paying yourself drawings separately.
3. Choose and set up MTD-compatible software.
4. Keep bookkeeping up-to-date monthly or weekly.
5. File your 2024/25 Self Assessment tax return early — ideally by 31 August 2025 — to allow time to prepare for MTD.

About Simply Additions Ltd

Simply Additions Ltd is a fully remote UK accountancy firm led by Lorraine Ellison FCMA CGMA MBA, specialising in digital transformation, Making Tax Digital compliance, and proactive financial support for Start ups, SMEs, sole traders, and landlords.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraineellison/

Photos from left to right

1 Lorraine showing James Murray MP how to file an MTD Quarterly Update

2 Lorraine with James Murray MP, and Rob Burlison, Director Global Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, at Intuit

3 Lorraine & Rob Burlison outside of 100 Parliament Street, Westminster, London in front of the famous HM Revenue & Customs sign