How to set up your HMRC business tax account for Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE
Sign in or create the company's HMRC account, then add online access to the business taxes that apply.
How do I create or sign in to my company's HMRC account?
A limited company can use one HMRC Business Tax Account to view and manage Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE. The quickest route is to sign in to HMRC online services, or choose "Create new sign in details" if the company does not have an account.
Once inside, choose "Add a tax, duty or scheme" or "Get online access to a tax, duty or scheme". HMRC's wording may vary slightly as it introduces GOV.UK One Login alongside Government Gateway.
Quick answer
Use one company sign-in where possible.
- 1
Go to HMRC online services
Use the official HMRC sign-in page linked below.
- 2
Sign in or create details
Use the company's existing details, or choose “Create new sign in details”.
- 3
Open the Business Tax Account
HMRC will guide a new user to the appropriate sign-in method.
- 4
Choose the option to add a tax
Look for “Add a tax, duty or scheme” or “Get online access to a tax, duty or scheme”.
- 5
Add the relevant taxes
Add Corporation Tax, VAT and/or PAYE using the relevant tax reference.
- 6
Complete any activation step
Follow HMRC's instructions if it asks for a security or activation step.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Add Corporation Tax to your HMRC account
Corporation Tax is the company tax on taxable profits. Adding it to the Business Tax Account lets a director see the Corporation Tax service, relevant references and statements, manage payments and keep the tax connected to the company's main HMRC login.
What you normally need:
- the company's 10-digit UTR
- the company registration number
- the date the company started trading or doing business
- the first accounts period or end date
- 1
Sign in
Open the company's HMRC Business Tax Account.
- 2
Choose add or get online access to a tax
Use the option shown in the account.
- 3
Select Corporation Tax
Choose Corporation Tax and enrol for the service.
- 4
Enter the company details
Provide the requested details and the company's 10-digit UTR.
- 5
Follow any activation instructions
HMRC may send an activation code to the company's registered office.
The company may already be registered for Corporation Tax. Adding the service is about getting online access under this HMRC login, not necessarily registering again. Read more about our limited company accounting service.
Add VAT to your HMRC account
VAT is the tax a VAT-registered business charges on taxable sales and usually reclaims on qualifying business purchases. Adding VAT lets the business see VAT liabilities, payments and deadlines and manage VAT online.
Not VAT registered? VAT registration comes first. If the company is already registered, add or get online access using its VAT registration number.
- 1
Sign in to the same HMRC Business Tax Account
Use the company's main HMRC sign-in.
- 2
Add or get online access to a tax
Choose the relevant option in the account.
- 3
Choose VAT or VAT services
Select the VAT service that applies.
- 4
Enter the VAT details
Provide the VAT registration number and any other details HMRC requests.
- 5
Complete any activation or security step
Follow the instructions HMRC gives you.
Useful tip — set up VAT Direct Debit
A VAT-registered business can set up Direct Debit through its VAT online account. HMRC can then collect the VAT due after a return, reducing the risk of forgetting the payment. Set it up in time and make sure the bank account has enough funds; HMRC says to do this at least 3 working days before submitting the VAT return. Read HMRC's VAT Direct Debit guidance.
Add PAYE to your HMRC account
PAYE for Employers is used where a company employs people or pays directors through payroll. Adding PAYE lets the employer see its PAYE account, amounts due, payments and employer references.
Not registered as an employer? Employer and PAYE registration comes first. For an existing scheme, you normally need the employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference.
- 1
Sign in to the same Business Tax Account
Use the company's main HMRC sign-in.
- 2
Add or get online access to a tax
Choose the relevant option in the account.
- 3
Select PAYE for Employers
Choose the employer PAYE service.
- 4
Enter the employer references
Provide the employer PAYE reference and Accounts Office reference.
- 5
Complete any activation step
Follow HMRC's instructions if activation is required.
Useful tip — set up PAYE Direct Debit
HMRC supports variable Direct Debit for employers' PAYE. Once set up, HMRC can collect the amount based on payroll submissions, which can help keep payments on time. HMRC says to set it up at least 4 working days before the payment due date, and the bank account must have enough funds. Read HMRC's PAYE Direct Debit guidance.
In Front Accounting can also help with ongoing payroll and PAYE compliance.
Once all three are added
The HMRC Business Tax Account should show separate areas or cards for the taxes linked to that login. A director can use them to check balances, payments, liabilities, messages and other HMRC information. Filing may still need to be done through compatible accounting or payroll software.
Use the same company HMRC sign-in where possible
Creating multiple Government Gateway or HMRC sign-ins is a common reason clients cannot see all their taxes together. HMRC confirms that services registered under different IDs can appear separately.
What if I cannot see a tax?
- Check you are using the company's correct HMRC sign-in.
- Check the tax is actually registered.
- Check whether it was originally added under another Government Gateway ID.
- Check whether HMRC is waiting for an activation step or code.
In summary
To set up an HMRC account for a limited company, sign in to HMRC online services or create new sign-in details. Open the HMRC Business Tax Account and choose the option to add or get online access to a tax, duty or scheme. Add Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE using the relevant reference for each tax, then complete any activation step HMRC requests. Keep the services under the same company sign-in where possible so they are easier to see and manage.
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Common Questions
Can Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE all be in one HMRC account?
Yes. A limited company can normally link Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE to one HMRC Business Tax Account. Each tax appears as its own service or area within the account.
Do I need a different Government Gateway for each tax?
No. Use the same company HMRC sign-in where possible, then add each relevant tax service to it. Separate Government Gateway IDs can cause the company's taxes to appear in different accounts.
Can I set up Direct Debit for VAT?
Yes. A VAT-registered business can set up Direct Debit through its VAT online account. HMRC says to set it up at least 3 working days before submitting the VAT return, and the bank account must have enough funds when payment is collected.
Can I set up Direct Debit for PAYE?
Yes. HMRC offers variable Direct Debit for employers' PAYE, with collections based on payroll submissions. HMRC says to set it up at least 4 working days before the payment due date.
Why is one of my taxes missing from my HMRC account?
First check that the tax is registered and that you are using the correct company sign-in. It may have been added under another Government Gateway ID, or HMRC may still be waiting for an activation step or code.
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Need help with Corporation Tax, VAT or PAYE?
In Front Accounting can help limited companies register for the right taxes, set up HMRC access and manage ongoing Corporation Tax, VAT and payroll compliance.
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