HMRC Finalises 2025 Self Assessment Testing Programme Affecting Real Estate and Consultancy Sectors

HM Revenue & Customs has published the fourth and final edition of its 'Ready, Steady, File!' newsletter, marking a significant milestone in the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax beta testing journey^[1]. The programme could have substantial implications for many of the UK's 5,702,593 registered companies^[2].

Programme Reaches Final Stage

According to HMRC's announcement on 9 April 2026^[1], the fourth edition of the newsletter has been published. The document states that this edition "keeps participants up to date with the latest news, resources, and important milestones in the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax beta testing journey"^[1].

Real Estate Sector Dominates Self Assessment Filings

Analysis of CompanyPulse's company register^[2] reveals that real estate companies constitute the largest segment currently filing self assessments. The sector classified as "Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate" alone accounts for 437,098 companies^[2], making it the single largest category likely to be affected by the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requirements.

Combined with companies involved in "Buying and selling of own real estate" (270,372 companies) and "Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis" (123,600 companies), the broader real estate sector represents over 831,000 companies^[2] - approximately 15% of all UK registered companies.

Professional Services Face Significant Impact

Management consultancy activities represent the second-largest category, with 271,267 companies classified under "Management consultancy activities other than financial management"^[2]. The professional services sector shows further concentration in technology-related activities, with Information technology consultancy activities accounting for 166,138 companies^[2].

Other significant professional service categories include:

• Business and domestic software development: 100,119 companies^[2]
• Other information technology service activities: 92,654 companies^[2]
• Other professional, scientific and technical activities: 81,676 companies^[2]

Diverse Business Activities Affected

The data reveals that self assessment requirements extend across a remarkably diverse range of business activities. Notable sectors include:

"Other business support service activities" encompasses 222,697 companies^[2], while online retail operations classified as "Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet" account for 204,131 companies^[2]. The hospitality sector is represented with 83,791 take-away food shops and mobile food stands^[2].

Construction activities also feature prominently, with "Development of building projects" (114,811 companies) and "Construction of domestic buildings" (99,173 companies) both appearing in the top categories^[2].

Even dormant companies, numbering 116,056^[2], appear in the self assessment filing data, suggesting that inactive status does not necessarily exempt companies from certain tax obligations.

Implications for Corporate Compliance

With HMRC publishing the final edition of its newsletter, the data suggests that the Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requirements could affect a substantial portion of the UK's corporate landscape. The concentration in real estate and professional services sectors indicates these industries may need to pay particular attention to any new requirements emerging from the Making Tax Digital initiative.

The presence of 135,121 companies involved in "Residents property management"^[2] and significant numbers in other property-related activities suggests that the residential lettings market could face particularly concentrated compliance requirements.

The diversity of business types currently filing self assessments - from technology consultancies to beauty salons (74,295 companies in "Hairdressing and other beauty treatment"^[2]) - indicates that the impact of any changes will be felt across the entire UK economy.