Methodology, sources and commercial rules

What QuarterReady is for

QuarterReady is an independent educational tool for UK individuals with sole-trade and/or property income, with an initial focus on sole traders selling through online marketplaces. It helps a user organise threshold figures and choose a record-keeping route.

It is not HMRC software, an eligibility determination, accounting software, a tax-return service, a tax adviser, a regulated financial adviser, or a substitute for advice based on a person's circumstances.

How the threshold checker works

The browser performs the following tests in order:

1. It asks which personal sole-trade and property sources appear on the relevant returns, including a ceased source when another source continues.
2. If the first Self Assessment return has not been submitted, it shows no date and sends the user to HMRC.
3. It asks the user to confirm they have checked other exemptions. It also stops on non-12-month periods, cessation uncertainty, and foreign-property, residence or joint-ownership uncertainty.
4. It requires every relevant historical amount in whole pounds. A blank is unknown; it is never silently converted to zero.
5. For each tax year, it adds the sole-trade turnover and the user's assessed property-income share.
6. It tests 2024/25 against more than £50,000, 2025/26 against more than £30,000, then an optional 2026/27 estimate against more than £20,000.
7. It returns the earliest threshold crossed and its published start date, labelled as a threshold-only indication rather than an eligibility determination.
8. It links to HMRC for confirmation.

The 2026/27 field is labelled as an estimate because that tax year is in progress on the site's check date. The estimate is for planning and cannot reproduce the figure that will appear on the final return.

What the checker does not test

It does not determine:

• whether the amounts entered are the correct tax-return figures;
• whether an exemption actually applies—the user must check HMRC's exemption rules first;
• residence, domicile, trusts, estates or unusual legal structures—the tool stops when the user identifies a relevant property/residence issue;
• the treatment of partnerships or limited companies beyond sending the user to current guidance;
• accounting-basis, basis-period, VAT, foreign-currency or platform-settlement adjustments;
• annualisation, late registration, a business starting or ceasing, or income changing after mandation—the tool stops on non-12-month periods and known cessation cases;
• whether a provider and exact plan support every required feature;
• tax due, profit, penalties, savings or eligibility for a financial account.

The payout worksheet only checks arithmetic between sales, refunds, fees, adjustments and a bank deposit. Its subtotals are not tax conclusions.

How record-keeping routes are chosen

The route planner uses the visitor's existing record method, change preference and stated complexity. It recommends one route type, not a product:

• spreadsheet plus compatible bridging software;
• verification of current software;
• all-in-one digital records;
• marketplace connector plus compatible accounting/submission software; or
• an agent-led route.

Every route includes the HMRC software guidance/finder step. A product will not be labelled “best” without a published comparison method and evidence for the user's stated scenario. “HMRC-recognised” must be verified and dated; QuarterReady will not use “HMRC approved” or “HMRC recommended”.

Commercial policy

QuarterReady currently has no affiliate tracking links. Applications are being prepared for eRank, Link My Books and Taxfix. If the owner is accepted into a programme and a commercial link is added:

• a prominent “Ad” label will appear before each affiliate-linked claim, section or link; a general disclosure or footer will not replace that label;
• the wording will state: “Ad — QuarterReady earns commission on eligible sign-ups or purchases made through this link”;
• an article or teaser wholly about affiliate products will include “Ad” in the title or teaser before the reader clicks;
• the ordinary HMRC and non-commercial routes will remain available;
• commission amount will not be a hidden ranking factor;
• only claims supported by public sources will be published; private rate cards, accepted agreements and dashboard data remain confidential unless disclosure is authorised;
• self-purchases, misleading urgency, invented tests and fabricated testimonials are prohibited.

The intended business model is commission from suitable third-party seller tools and services. QuarterReady does not plan to sell its own software. Suitability, limitations and provider fees matter more than the payout to QuarterReady.

Primary sources

Core rules are checked against primary UK government material. Provider claims are checked against the provider's own programme and product pages. Important facts are date-stamped and should be rechecked at least monthly during the MTD rollout.

• HMRC — find out if and when you need MTD
• HMRC — work out qualifying income
• HMRC — exemptions
• HMRC — qualifying income and first-year overview
• HMRC — choose the right software
• HMRC — create digital records
• HMRC — send quarterly updates
• HMRC — submit the MTD-year tax return
• HMRC — impact note and population estimate
• ASA — affiliate-marketing disclosure
• ICO — cookies and similar technologies