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Importing MTD Foreign Property Quarterly Returns Using Excel Template

Shannon Brady
  • Updated

From tax year 2026/27, foreign property quarterly returns must be reported on a per‑property (Division) basis, rather than per country. This article explains how to import your MTD Foreign Property quarterly figures into BrightBooks using the Excel template.

 

You can now complete the MTD for Income Tax Foreign Property feature set for Excel import support for quarterly returns Q2, Q3, and Q4 and delivering the matching supporting report in simplified 3‑line accounting format on a per‑property basis.

 

Before you start

  • You must have a Foreign Property business set up in BrightBooks.
  • Each foreign property should be set up as a Division (per‑property reporting is required).
  • You need appropriate permissions to access Settings > Data > Imports.
 

Step 1 – Download the Excel template

  1. Go to Settings > Data > Imports.

  2. In the list of templates, select:

     

    MTDfIT Quarterly Returns – Landlord Foreign Property

    This appears after the Landlord UK Property template.

  3. Click Next to open the configuration page.
  4. On the configuration page, choose the Tax Year and Quarter you want to prepare (see Step 2).
  5. Download the Excel template for that tax year if you have not already done so, by clicking on Template.
 

Note: The template for TY 2026/27 onwards is designed for per‑property reporting. Each row (or section) in the template corresponds to a specific property (Division).

The Excel import now supports quarterly returns for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, in line with the MTD for Income Tax foreign property requirements.

 

Step 2 – Select tax year and quarter

On the configuration page, you will see:

 

  • Tax Year dropdown

     
    • Options: 2026/7, 2027/8, 2028/9
    • Default: 2026/7
     

  • Quarter dropdown

     
    • Options: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
    • Based on the MTDfIT tax calendar.
 

When you select a Tax Year, the quarter periods are:

 
  • Q1 – period ending 07/07/[first year]
  • Q2 – period ending 07/10/[first year]
  • Q3 – period ending 07/01/[second year]
  • Q4 – period ending 07/04/[second year]
 

Example for 2026/7:

 
  • Q1 2026/7 – period ending 07/07/2026
  • Q2 2026/7 – period ending 07/10/2026
  • Q3 2026/7 – period ending 07/01/2027
  • Q4 2026/7 – period ending 07/04/2027
 

Select the Tax Year and Quarter that match the figures you are going to import. You can now import quarterly returns for Q2, Q3 and Q4 as well as Q1, using the same template and process.

 

Step 3 – Complete the Excel template (per‑property)

Open MTDfITForeignProperty.Template.TY26-27.xlsx and enter your quarterly figures.

 

The template is structured to support per‑property (Division) reporting. For each foreign property, you should enter:

 
  • A property identifier (e.g., Division code/property reference)
  • Total Property Income for the quarter
  • Foreign Tax Paid for the quarter
  • Total Expenses for the quarter (a single consolidated total per property)
 

Key points:

 
  • Each property must be reported separately – do not combine all foreign properties into one total.
  • Total Expenses should include all allowable expenses for that property, including interest/finance costs.
  • Do not change the structure, headings, or formulas in the template.
  • Ensure the period covered by the figures matches the Tax Year and Quarter you selected in BrightBooks (including Q2, Q3 or Q4, as applicable).
 

Important: From TY 2026/27, the template no longer uses a per‑country structure. All entries are on a per‑property basis.

Save the completed file once all properties have been entered.

 

Step 4 – Upload the Excel file

Return to Settings > Data > Imports and:

 
  1. Ensure MTDfIT Quarterly Returns – Landlord Foreign Property is selected and you are on the configuration page.
  2. Confirm the Tax Year and Quarter are correct.
  3. Use the File upload control to select your completed Excel file (.xlsx).
 

At this point:

 

  • The Import button will remain disabled until:

     
    • A Tax Year is selected,
    • A Quarter is selected, and
    • A valid Excel file has been uploaded.
 

Once all three are in place, the Import button becomes enabled.

 

Step 5 – Start the import

When the Import button is enabled:

 
  1. Click Import to begin processing the file.

  2. BrightBooks will validate the template, including:

     
    • File format (must be Excel).
    • Required columns and headings.
    • Basic checks on numeric fields (e.g., income/expenses).
    • Per‑property structure (each property reported separately).
 

If there are any issues (e.g., missing required fields, invalid values, incorrect structure), BrightBooks will display an error message. Correct the issues in the Excel file and re‑upload.

 

If validation passes, the data will be imported and prepared for the selected Tax Year and Quarter (including Q2, Q3 or Q4).

 

Step 6 – Review and submit your quarterly return

After a successful import:

 
  1. Go to General Ledger > MTD ITSA area for your foreign property business.
  2. Open the quarterly return for the Tax Year and Quarter you imported.

  3. Review the figures per property to ensure they match your records:

     
    • Total Property Income
    • Foreign Tax Paid
    • Total Expenses
    • Net Profit / (Loss) per property
    • Overall totals
 

As part of this release, BrightBooks also provides a supporting report for your foreign property quarterly returns in a simplified 3‑line accounting format on a per‑property basis. This report summarises, for each property (Division):

 
  • Total income
  • Total expenses
  • Net profit / (loss)
 

You can use this report as supporting evidence for your MTD submissions and for internal review.

 

If everything is correct:

 
  1. Proceed to submit the quarterly update to HMRC via the usual MTDfIT submission process.
  2. Check the submission status and any HMRC messages to confirm the update has been accepted.
 

Notes and limitations

  • This import is designed for foreign property landlords using the MTDfIT Excel template on a per‑property basis.
  • Existing import permissions apply – only users with access to Data Imports can use this feature.
  • The behaviour and layout follow the same patterns as the Landlord UK Property import, but with foreign property‑specific fields and per‑property structure.
  • From this release, Excel import support covers quarterly returns for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4, and the system provides a matching per‑property supporting report in a simplified 3‑line accounting format.
  • The system does not validate turnover thresholds or eligibility; this remains the responsibility of the user or their agent.
 

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