Managing Your HMRC Business Tax Account

Your HMRC business tax account is an online hub where you can manage all your business taxes in one place, from Corporation Tax and VAT to PAYE and Self Assessment. This article explains how to access your account and what you can do with it.

What is an HMRC business tax account?

An HMRC business tax account is an online service that lets you manage over 40 different taxes in one place. Individuals, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies can all use a business tax account.

You can use your account to manage common taxes including:

• Self Assessment
• VAT
• PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
• Corporation Tax

How to sign in

You can use your business tax account once you have registered for a business tax online. You'll need the sign in details you used when you first registered.

Signing in with Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login

When you sign in to HMRC services, you'll see options to use:

• Government Gateway
• GOV.UK One Login
• Create new sign in details

GOV.UK One Login is a new way of signing in to government services. It provides a simpler way to access your account using an email address and password. Over time, it will replace Government Gateway, which many businesses currently use.

You do not need to do anything differently yet. HMRC will prompt you when you need to switch to GOV.UK One Login. This will not happen for everyone at the same time.

If you're new to HMRC online services and don't have existing sign in details, you'll be among the first asked to create a GOV.UK One Login. When you're asked to create one, you may need to go through an identity verification process, so have identification documents ready such as a passport or driving licence.

What you can do with your business tax account

Once you're signed in, you can:

• Check your tax position for taxes you've registered for
• Make returns and payments
• Add or remove a tax, duty or scheme
• Check secure messages from HMRC
• Add, view or change a tax agent
• Get help with your taxes
• Update your contact details
• Sign up for paperless notifications
• Change your sign in details and security preferences
• Give team members access to specific taxes

Managing team members

If you run a business with multiple people who need access to your tax account, you can add team members and control what they can see.

Adding a new team member

To add someone to your business tax account:

1. Sign in to your business tax account as an administrator and select 'manage account'

2. Add the team member by selecting 'You can give permission to others to access your business tax account'

3. Select 'add a team member' and enter their details

4. Once added, you'll get a confirmation message

5. Return to the team members list where you'll find the newly added person

6. Select 'return to HMRC'

Giving team members access to specific taxes

You can control which taxes and services each team member can access:

1. Sign in as an administrator and select 'manage account'

2. Select 'give a team member access to a tax, duty or scheme'

3. On the 'manage who can access your taxes and schemes' page, select the 'taxes and schemes' tab

4. On the row for your service, select 'manage team members'

5. Select the team members you want to have access to the service then 'save' your choices

This is useful if you want your bookkeeper to access VAT but not PAYE, or want to give your payroll manager access to PAYE only.

Other taxes and services available

Beyond the main taxes, your business tax account can also manage many specialist taxes and schemes, including:

• Making Tax Digital for VAT and Income Tax
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
• Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)
• Stamp Duty Land Tax
• Plastic Packaging Tax
• Soft Drinks Industry Levy
• Alcohol Duty
• Machine Games Duty
• Economic Crime Levy
• Various customs and import/export services

The full list includes over 40 different taxes, duties and schemes, making your business tax account a comprehensive tool for managing all your tax obligations.

Getting started

If you already manage your business tax online, you can sign in to your business tax account now using your existing credentials. If you're new to managing tax online, you'll need to register for the specific business taxes you need before you can use the account.

Sources

• Accessing HMRC online services using GOV.UK One Login
• Sign in to your HMRC business tax account
• Manage team members using your HMRC business tax account

This article provides general guidance based on current HMRC rules. For advice specific to your situation, speak to your accountant.