What is your HMRC business tax account?

Getting your business tax account up and running is key to staying on top of your HMRC obligations. It simplifies tax admin by giving you a single place to manage everything! Bye-bye paperwork. 👋

Whether you’re a sole trader, limited company or an employer, having your business tax account set up helps keep things running smoothly. 🔧

So, what is it again?

A HMRC business tax account is your online hub for managing everything tax-related. Once set up, you can handle anything from paying VAT bills to tracking Corporation Tax payments.

Forget the mountain of forms and receipts, everything’s digital and sorted. 🎉You can register for taxes, submit returns and stay on top of deadlines, all in one place. That’s right: no more late-night panics about forgotten tax payments!

Who needs a business tax account? 

If you’re running a business, chances are, you’ll need a business tax account. Here’s who should set one up:

• Sole traders: if you’re flying solo, handling your own Self Assessment and National Insurance, it’s a must.
• Limited companies: if you’re running a limited company, you’ll need an account for all sorts of things, like Corporation Tax and VAT.
• Employers: got employees? Then you’ll need it to manage PAYE and all that lovely payroll stuff.
• Other businesses: if you need access to any HMRC services like VAT, CIS, or import/export duties, you’ll want a business tax account to keep things streamlined.

Basically, if you’re a business and you deal with taxes (spoiler alert: you do), you need one of these.

What can a business tax account be used for? 

The better question is: what can’t it be used for? With your business tax account, you can:

• Register for tax services like Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE or Corporation Tax
• Submit returns your tax returns and payments online, cutting down on all the paperwork (you know, the one you end up losing). 😅
• View deadlines and track payments so you never miss a deadline again. 
• Update your business details whenever there’s a change. New address? New bank details? No problem! Just log in and make it happen.

If you haven’t set one up yet, what are you waiting for? Your tax future is calling. ☎️

How to set up a business tax account

If you don’t yet have a business tax account but think you’ll need one, you can get set up online.

Step 1: prepare and gather information 

Before you start, make sure you have your:

• Government Gateway ID (or create one)
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) – don’t worry if you don’t know what this is yet. HMRC will send it to you when you first register as self-employed.
• National Insurance number (for sole traders and individuals) 🔢
• Company registration number (for limited companies)

These are the basics to get started. If you don’t have your Government Gateway ID yet, you’ll need to create one, so get ready for a couple of extra steps.

Step 2: visit the HMRC Website 

Go to the HMRC portal (it’s easy to find – just search “HMRC business tax account”). When you land there, look for the option to “Sign in” or “Create a business tax account.” 💻

Step 3: create a Gateway account 

Don’t have a Government Gateway account? No worries! Here’s how to create one:

1. Go to the registration page and enter your details.
2. Fill in your details (business and personal). ✏️
3. Verify your identity with security questions or a code sent to your email. (Pro tip: check your spam folder if the code doesn’t land in your inbox.)

Once you’re all set up, you’ll have your personal Government Gateway ID to log in and access HMRC services.

Step 4: register for HMRC Online Services 

Now that you’ve got your Government Gateway account, it’s time to register for HMRC’s online services. Depending on your business type, you’ll select services like:

• Self Assessment (if you’re a sole trader)
• Corporation Tax (for limited companies)
• VAT (if you’re VAT registered)
• PAYE (if you have employees)

Enter your business details and hit ‘submit’, then you’re officially on your way. 🏃

Step 5: receive and use your activation code 

You’ll get an activation code from HMRC (usually by post). Once it arrives:

1. Log into your business tax account
2. Enter the activation code you received 🔑
3. Confirm your services are linked

Tips for using your business tax account

Your business tax account can be used for a whole host of things. Here are a few ways you can get the most out of it:

1. Make sure your details are up to date

In the ‘Manage Account’ section, you can:

• Add or remove a tax, duty, or scheme
• Provide access for other team members (internal or external)
• Change your tax agent and authorise them to act on your behalf
• Update your account details like your business address
• You can even sign up for paperless notifications

2. Review your taxes 

You can control certain taxes and schemes directly in your account too. For example, if you’re a small business and your annual turnover falls below the VAT threshold, you might be eligible to deregister for VAT using your online account.

3. Keep up to date with your deadlines

Your new business tax account will show:

• If there’s a return you need to complete
• Your balance (either outstanding or overpaid tax)
• Links to more details, like payment and return information

It’s always a good idea to check your account regularly to make sure you’re on top of things.

4. File a return or payment

You can also use your business tax account to file a return or make a payment directly to HMRC. This includes any direct debit payments. You’ll also see: 

• Repayments HMRC owes you
• Payments you’ve made
• Interest on any late payments
• Penalties for late payments or filings
• Tax calculations for previous years

Let us simplify your business taxes

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by managing your business tax account on your own? Don’t worry, we’re here to make your life easier. 

If you’re unsure about how to use it or you’d prefer to have an expert handle it, our team of accredited accountants can help. They can take care of everything for you, helping you maximise your tax benefits. Learn more.