Download the MTD template from Settings → Data → Imports, copy in the quarter’s figures without changing the layout, import it, then generate the quarterly update.
Download the template
- Open the business.
- Go to Settings → Data → Imports.
- Select the import for the income source – MTD ITSA Quarterly Return Import (self-employment), MTDfIT Quarterly Returns – Landlord UK Property, or MTDfIT Quarterly Returns – Landlord Foreign Property – and select Next.
- Select the Template link in the sentence on screen to download the template.
Complete and import the template
- Copy the figures for the quarter into the template. Keep the column structure and don’t add, remove or rename columns or tabs.
- Make sure the journal rows for the quarter balance (debits equal credits).
- Save the file in the same format you downloaded it in.
- Return to the same import screen, choose the Tax Year and Quarter, and drag and drop the file.
- Tick every confirmation checkbox, then select Proceed with Import.
- When the import has finished, go to General Ledger → MTD ITSA, open the drop-down for the quarter and select Generate.
If your client has CIS deductions
Enter turnover at the gross amount before CIS tax was deducted. Record the CIS tax deducted separately, rather than reducing the income figure. If you’re unsure how to treat a deduction, ask HMRC or your accountant.
Known errors and how to fix them
Find the message you’re seeing:
- “Nominal code 362 does not exist” or “Nominal code 473.01 does not exist”
- “Journal is unbalanced” (often at line 19)
- The date you type turns into a number
- The template asks for a password
- Proceed with Import is greyed out
- “Queued for import – queue position 1”
- The quarterly update shows zero after you import
- You can’t import self-employment and property figures together
“Nominal code 362 does not exist” or “Nominal code 473.01 does not exist”
What you’ll see
- An import validation message saying nominal code 362 or 473.01 doesn’t exist.
Why it happens
The template posts to nominal codes 362 and 473.01. If the business’s chart of accounts doesn’t have them, the import is rejected.
How to fix it
- Go to General Ledger → Chart of Accounts → New.
- Create account code 362.
- Create account code 473.01.
- Import the template again.
“Journal is unbalanced” (often at line 19)
What you’ll see
- An import validation message saying the journal is unbalanced, often at line 19.
Why it happens
The journal rows for the quarter don’t balance. In the UK property template, quarter 1 uses rows 1 to 19, so the error often points to line 19.
How to fix it
- Open the template and check debits equal credits for the quarter you’re importing.
- Only use the rows for your quarter: Q1 rows 1–19, Q2 rows 1–38, Q3 rows 1–57, Q4 rows 1–76 (UK property template).
- Save and import again.
The date you type turns into a number
What you’ll see
- A date in the template changes to a number, or the import rejects the date.
Why it happens
Spreadsheets store dates as numbers, so a date typed into a cell formatted as text or number can be rejected.
How to fix it
- Format the date cell as Date.
- Type the date as dd/mm/yyyy.
- Save and import again.
The template asks for a password
What you’ll see
- A password prompt when you open or edit the template.
Why it happens
The template protects its structure so the import can read it.
How to fix it
- Download a fresh copy of the template from the import screen.
- Enter figures only in the cells for your quarter.
Still not working? Contact us if: it still asks for a password when you enter figures.
Proceed with Import is greyed out
What you’ll see
- You can’t select Proceed with Import.
Why it happens
The button stays greyed out until the Tax Year and Quarter are selected and every confirmation checkbox is ticked.
How to fix it
- Select the Tax Year and Quarter.
- Tick every confirmation checkbox.
- Select Proceed with Import.
“Queued for import – queue position 1”
What you’ll see
- A message saying the import is queued.
Why it happens
The import has been accepted and is waiting to be processed.
How to fix it
- Wait a few minutes, then refresh.
- When the import has finished, go to General Ledger → MTD ITSA and select Generate for the quarter.
Still not working? Contact us if: the import stays queued for more than a day.
The quarterly update shows zero after you import
What you’ll see
- Generate shows £0.00, the three-line table is blank, or quarter 1 shows zeros while the full-year view shows your figures.
Why it happens
BrightBooks builds the update from journals dated inside the quarter. Common causes: the imported journal is dated outside the quarter, you imported for a different tax year or quarter, the import hasn’t finished, or the figures were posted to a bank nominal code.
How to fix it
- Go to General Ledger → Journals and open the journal the import created.
- Check its date falls between the start and end dates shown for the quarter on General Ledger → MTD ITSA. If not, change it to the first day of the quarter and save.
- Check the Tax Year and Quarter you imported for match the quarter you’re generating.
- Go to General Ledger → MTD ITSA and select Generate again.
Still not working? Contact us if: the journal is dated inside the quarter and the update still shows zero, or the figures are posted to bank nominal codes.
You can’t import self-employment and property figures together
What you’ll see
- The import won’t accept self-employment and property figures for the same client.
Why it happens
Each BrightBooks business handles one MTD income type.
How to fix it
- Set up a separate business for each income source – see Set up a client with self-employment and property income.
- Import each template into its own business.
Still need help?
Contact our support team. Send us the completed template and a screenshot of the message.