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Checklist · Client
How to Prepare Clients for MTD ITSA
A twelve-month plan that turns a compliance change into a client-by-client project with an end date.
Built by a practising Chartered Accountant · Unlimited users · 60-day free trial · Last updated 27 September 2026
Quick answer
Preparing clients for MTD ITSA means segmenting your client base by readiness, communicating in plain English, converting record keeping, repricing the engagement and running a trial quarter. Remindoo turns that plan into tracked tasks per client so you can see how many are actually ready.
How do you segment clients for MTD readiness?
Split them by two things: whether they are in scope, and how good their current records are.
That gives you four groups. In scope with good records need information only. In scope with poor records are your real project. Out of scope but close to a threshold need watching each year. Everyone else needs nothing yet. Work the second group first and hardest.
What should you actually say to clients?
Say what changes, when it affects them, what you will do, what they must do, and what it will cost — in one page, without jargon.
Clients do not need the legislative history. They need: from this date, send us your figures every three months; here is how; here is the new fee; here is what you get out of it. Send it in writing, then follow up by phone for the difficult group.
Checklist preview
0/8 done · showing 8 of 20 itemsThe full 20-item checklist is in the download below. Enter your name and email to get it as a Word or PDF file.
This is a standard checklist. Each firm's requirements may vary, so please cross-check everything against current GOV.UK, Companies House and professional body guidance before relying on it.
See it working with your own clients
A 30-minute walkthrough using your services, deadlines and templates.
Turn this into a task and subtask template in Remindoo
Save each group as a task with subtasks, attach it to the right service and let recurring tasks create it for every client, every period. Each item gets an owner and a deadline, and nothing depends on someone remembering to print the list. See task and subtask templates.
Custom fields and data tokens
Capture and reuse the data your firm needs.
See featureAutomated reminders
Timely prompts before work becomes urgent.
See featureBulk client emails and newsletters
Update your whole client base at once.
See featureEmail templates
Standard client messages ready to send.
See featureService templates
Repeatable structures for every service.
See featureWhat are the common mistakes?
- Sending one email and assuming it landed
- Starting with the easy clients
- Leaving the fee conversation until the first invoice
- No trial quarter
- No named owner per client for the conversion
“Companies House integration onboards clients in minutes; AML scoring keeps us compliant.”
Frequently asked questions
When should I start preparing clients?
At least twelve months before their first mandatory period, and earlier for clients who keep poor records.
How do I explain MTD without scaring clients?
Lead with what they gain — quarterly tax estimates and fewer year-end surprises — and keep the compliance detail short.
Should I raise fees?
Most firms do, because four cycles plus a final declaration is more work than one return. Model it per client group before writing to anyone.
What if a client refuses to change?
Record the advice given and the client's decision. Some firms decide such clients are no longer a fit; a disengagement process helps.
Can I track readiness per client?
Yes. Use tags and tasks so you can report how many clients are converted, in progress or not started.
Does Remindoo handle the filing?
No. Remindoo manages the preparation, chasing and deadlines; filing happens in your MTD-compatible software.
Ready to run a calmer practice?
See Remindoo with your own clients, or start free for 60 days with unlimited users.
Sources
Last updated 27 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice.
Why a single client record matters
When client details, deadlines, documents and conversations are spread across inboxes and spreadsheets, time goes on searching instead of on client work.
One version of the truth
Everyone sees the same services, contacts, deadlines and notes for each client.
Accurate deadlines
Companies House sync brings in company details and filing dates, reducing manual errors.
Better client service
A full timeline means anyone can answer a client question with the history in front of them.
Secure document sharing
A client portal is safer than sending financial documents as email attachments.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Import companies from Companies House rather than typing details by hand.
- Record every service a client takes, so recurring work is created automatically.
- Add a short note after every important client call.
- Ask clients to upload documents through the portal rather than by email.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
What UK practices say about Remindoo
Read all reviews on Trustpilot“With Remindoo, everything from the first enquiry to onboarding and ongoing client management is tracked in one place… It saves us hours and gives me, as a practice owner, complete visibility of where the firm stands.”
“The biggest benefit is having clients, tasks, deadlines, workflows, proposals and communication all organised in one place.”
“During my trial, the team were absolutely amazing. They helped onboard my clients, set up my settings and made sure everything was ready for me to use… they made the whole process completely stress-free.”
“It brings client information, tasks, recurring deadlines, workflows and reminders together in one place, giving us much better visibility across the team.”
