Running a dental practice or working as an associate involves more than just providing excellent patient care, there’s a business side that demands your attention too including managing payroll and staying on top of Corporation or personal tax.

What is the Government Gateway?

Whether you’re a sole trader, associate or own a practice with multiple staff, the Government Gateway simplifies essential administrative tasks, particularly around tax, payroll, and compliance.

Key Uses of the Government Gateway

1. Manage Taxes and PAYE

Most dental practices are limited companies, which means they have tax obligations. Through the Government Gateway, you can:

• Manage Corporation Tax – if your practice is a limited company or you have incorporated your associate income.
• Handle PAYE and Real Time Information (RTI) submissions for employed staff.
• View and pay your VAT – whilst the majority of dentists will not be required to register for VAT this might be applicable if you own property, or provide lecturing for a university, etc.
• You can access your personal tax information via the portal. This can be used as a system to update HMRC if your personal information changes, such as updating your address when you move house, and also view previously submitted returns.

Having all these services accessible in one place saves time and ensures you stay compliant.

2. Delegate Access to your Accountant

A key feature is the ability to allow us, as your accountant, to gain access to your account and act on your behalf as an agent. This will be one of the very first steps that are undertaken when you first join us at Hive.

3. Apply for Government Schemes and Licences

From time to time, government schemes may be launched to support small businesses — for example, during COVID-19, many practices accessed financial relief through the Gateway. Keeping your account active and up-to-date ensures you can take advantage of relevant opportunities when they arise.

Moving Toward GOV.UK One Login

It’s worth noting that the Government Gateway is slowly being replaced by GOV.UK One Login, a new, unified system for accessing all UK government services. For now, however, most dental-related services, especially HMRC, still rely on the Government Gateway for login.

How to Get Started

Creating a Government Gateway account is straightforward. You’ll need:

• Your personal or business details
• National Insurance or UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number
• An email address and mobile phone for security verification

Visit the HMRC Services page to register and start managing your practice’s compliance the smart way. If you have any questions or need assistance in setting up your gateway please don’t hesitate to reach out.