How to create a HMRC Goverment Gateway account (aka Online Tax Account)
Setting up a Government Gateway account is essential for managing your taxes efficiently. HMRC are moving more and more of their services online and cutting back on phone support.
You’ll also have access to certain online functions, that we can’t access via our agent Government Gateway account.
Follow these simple steps to create your account and link it to your relevant taxes.
There are two parts to the process.
Step 1 – Create a Government Gateway Account
Step 2 – Add the relevant taxes to the newly created account
Top tip #1 – you only need to add the taxes relevant to your business. So if you’re not VAT registered, you don’t need to add VAT to the account.
Top Tip #2 – HMRC are trying to prevent fraudulent accounts being created. Therefore as part of the process they have added extra ID checks in. Be sure to have to hand your NI number, UTR or driving license and passport numbers.
Step 1: Create a Government Gateway Account
Visit HMRC's login page and click the green "sign in" button.
Choose "Create sign in details" and provide your email address.
Verify your email by entering the confirmation code sent to you.
Provide your full name and create a password.
Receive your user ID for the Government Gateway account.
Select the appropriate account type: "individual" for self-employed or "organisation" for limited companies.
Set up an additional security step for added protection.
Top Tip #3 - We strongly recommend that you keep your Goverment Gateway ID safe. If it’s lost, it’s not that easy to recover and can cause a real headache. It’s also a different number to your UTR, so please don’t get them muddled up!
Section 2: Adding relevant taxes to your Government Gateway Account
Access the business tax summary page and click "manage account."
Choose "Get online access to a tax, duty, or scheme."
Select the tax you want to add and follow the prompts.
Provide specific information related to the tax, such as Company UTR for corporation tax, PAYE reference and accounts office reference for PAYE, VAT number for VAT, and Personal UTR for self-assessment.
HMRC will send an activation code to your registered address.
Once received, log in again and enter the activation code.
Your Government Gateway account is now set up for the relevant tax.
By following these steps, you can easily create a Government Gateway account and effectively manage your taxes.
If you have any questions about the taxes applicable to you etc, drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help.
Zest Accountants provide personalised accountancy services for small business owners. If you’re interested in finding out how we can help unlock your businesses success, then get in touch.