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Importing MTD UK Property Quarterly Returns Using Excel Template

Shannon Brady
  • Updated

Importing UK Property Quarterly Updates using the BrightBooks Excel template

 

This article is for UK property income, where records are kept in Excel, and BrightBooks is used as bridging software.

 

1. Use case

Use the UK property template when:

  • Rental income and expenses are tracked in spreadsheets
  • You want to avoid duplicating all entries in BrightBooks
  • You still need to submit MTD‑compliant UK property quarterly updates
 

2. Downloading the UK property template

  1. In BrightBooks, go to Settings > Imports.
  2. Select the UK property MTD import option and click Next & Template to download a copy of the template.
  3. Do not alter the template’s column structure, headings or sheet names.
 

3. Template layout

The template will typically include:

  • Client and UK property business identifiers
  • Quarter start and end dates
  • Columns for:
    • Total rental income
    • Core expense categories (e.g. repairs, agents’ fees, insurance, finance costs, other)
 

If multiple properties are supported:

 
  • Each row may represent a property, with BrightBooks summing to the business total.
 

4. Completing and validating the template

  1. In your working spreadsheet, calculate quarter totals per category.
  2. Copy these totals into the template amount fields.
  3. Ensure:
    • Dates match the quarter you intend to file
    • All mandatory fields are completed
    • Numeric fields do not contain text or formulas that could break import
 

Save the file with a clear name (e.g. ClientName_Q1_2026_UKProp_Template.xlsx).

 

5. Importing into BrightBooks

  1. Go to the UK property MTD import screen within Settings > Imports > UK Property Template.
  2. Select the completed template and upload.
  3. Review any error messages and correct:
    • Invalid or missing dates
    • Non‑numeric data in numeric columns
    • Structural changes to the template
 

Re‑upload if required.

 

6. Review & submission

After a successful import:

  1. Go to General Ledger → MTD ITSA, select UK property and open the quarter.
  2. Click Generate to bring the imported totals into the quarterly update.
  3. Check the figures, then Save, optionally Print, and Submit to HMRC.
 

7. Record keeping

  • Retain each completed UK property template as part of your digital records.
  • Store it alongside detailed supporting spreadsheets and HMRC submission receipts.
  • This helps demonstrate compliance and supports any future queries.

 

For more background and resources on MTD for Income Tax, see Bright’s MTD hub by clicking here.