We’re back with another instalment of our frequently asked accounting and bookkeeping questions blog series. In this article we answer questions about Government Gateway accounts, and the process for setting one up.

What do I need a Government Gateway account for?

Most of HMRC’s online services ask you to register and sign in using a Government Gateway ID, so setting up a Gateway account is usually the easiest way to access all the services that you need, such as your Personal Tax Account.

You will also need to share your Government Gateway ID with your accountant if you want them to act on your behalf as your agent.

If you need to set up a new Government Gateway account, here’s what you need to do:

• Go to the GOV.UK sign in page
• Click ‘Create sign in details’
• Enter the email address you want to be attached to your account. You’ll be sent an authorisation code, which you’ll need to enter in order to verify your email account.
• Enter your full name
• Set up a password when prompted
• Set up a recovery password to use if you can’t access your account in the future

Once you complete these steps you’ll receive a unique 12-digit Government Gateway User ID, which you can use to access and register for other digital services.

 
Just be aware that registering for a Gateway account doesn’t automatically enrol you for other online services – you will need to sign up for these separately!

Once your ID has been created, you can use your new account to set up other services such as signing up for Self Assessment tax returns. You might also see an option to set up an Agent account, which allows you to appoint an agent to act on your behalf with HMRC.
 

Setting up a Government Gateway account is usually a straightforward process. You’ll need:

• Your full name
• Your chosen email address
• A secure password
• A memorable word for your recovery password

HMRC advise businesses to use one Government Gateway account to register for all of the taxes you need to pay in relation to your business. If you operate multiple limited companies though, it’s worth creating a separate Government Gateway account for each one, helping you (and HMRC) to stay organized.
 
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