Sage & Checkatrade Unite in Parliament to Power Digital Future for Small Businesses

• Parliamentary reception puts sole traders at the heart of the UK’s Making Tax Digital transition

With major changes to the tax system less than 3 months away, Sage and Checkatrade, the UK’s leading home improvement platform, brought tradespeople, policymakers and technology leaders together in the House of Commons yesterday to spotlight how digital tools and AI can transform the way sole traders run their businesses.

The parliamentary reception, attended by MPs and trades including plumbers, joiners and decorators, focused on the urgent need to accelerate digital adoption as Making Tax Digital for Income Tax comes into force from April 2026. From that point, sole traders earning over £50,000 will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.

New research from Sage and IPSE shows the scale of the challenge ahead: 70% of UK sole traders are still unaware of the changes. Many continue to rely on pen and paper, losing valuable hours each week to admin and compliance.

Against this backdrop, Sage and Checkatrade showcased how technology can turn a looming compliance burden into an opportunity to save time, improve cash flow visibility and drive productivity. The event featured a dedicated Tech Zone demonstrating AI-powered tools designed specifically for sole traders. Sage unveiled its new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax AI Agent, built to help accountants and their clients stay compliant with minimal effort. Checkatrade highlighted TradeMore, its entry-level job management platform that helps tradespeople manage jobs, customers and paperwork in one place.

To show how these tools work in practice, Monzo demonstrated its new tax filing tool, powered by Sage. Available with a free Monzo Business account, the solution enables sole traders and landlords to categorise transactions, submit returns directly to HMRC and see an up-to-date tax estimate straight from their bank account.

The reception was hosted with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and featured contributions from Simon Longbottom, Interim Chief Growth Officer at Sage; Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury; Samantha Niblett MP; and Emma Grant, Head of Trade Engagement at Checkatrade.

Simon Longbottom said: “Making Tax Digital is often seen as a compliance exercise, but it’s actually a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix how small businesses manage money. When tax happens in the background, business owners gain clarity on their cash flow, confidence in what they owe, and more time to focus on growing their business.” 

Emma Grant added: “Tradespeople are the backbone of the UK economy. When they’re given simple, practical tools that fit around their working day, the impact is immediate. By combining job management with Making Tax Digital readiness, we’re helping trades win back hours every week and put them to better use.” 

Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Helping small businesses innovate, grow and create jobs is central to boosting economic growth. Events like this show how government and industry can work together to deliver straightforward digital solutions that make life easier for taxpayers.” 

The reception underlined Sage’s continued investment in AI, education and partnerships to ensure sole traders are not left behind as the UK moves to digital tax reporting and that Making Tax Digital delivers real benefits, not just new obligations.

Source : Checkatrade

Main image : Emma Grant, Head of Trade Engagement, Checkatrade - Checkatrade and Sage Backing Business Event

Second image : L-R Chi Onwurah MP, Simon Longbottom Sage, Emma Grant Checkatrade, Samantha Niblett MP, Dan Tomlinson MP  

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