Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) is being rolled out in phases and is scheduled to begin in April 2026 for many self-employed people and landlords.
In the latest in our series of guides to make sure you are fully MTD-ready, here’s the next step on the path to MTD success – setting up your Government Gateway.
Think of the Government Gateway as your personal and direct portal to HMRC. Once you are registered, you can check your tax liability, link your accounting software and submit returns online. It is essential in the move towards MTD as it means you can deal with your tax affairs online.
Gather essential information
Before you start make sure you have the essential information you will need.
• Address that HMRC should have on file
• VAT registration number (if applicable)
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
• National Insurance number
• An active email address and phone number
Visit the Government Gateway website
Go to the official HMRC website and follow the prompts to set up an MTD account. You’ll be asked to set up a username and password; keep these safe, as you’ll need them for future logins. You will also need to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) by providing a contact number or email.
Confirm your identity
HMRC will ask you to verify your identity. You may need to answer security questions or provide details from your passport, driving licence, or other government documents.
Register Your Business
If you’re creating an account for a business, select the business registration option and provide your company details. Sole traders and partnerships may need to enter additional information, such as the type of business and contact details.
Activate Relevant Services
Once your account is set up, log in and add the services you need, such as VAT or Self Assessment.
Link Your Accounting Software
MTD requires you to use compatible accounting software – see our guide. Link your Government Gateway credentials within your software to enable direct submissions to HMRC. All you have to do is enter your Government Gateway user ID and password into your software and follow the software’s instructions to complete setup. Each product will work differently depending on how much the software provider has developed it.
Digital security
• Keep your login details secure and never share them with unauthorised parties. If you have an accountant, they won’t need these. They should have their own agent portal, so will just need you to authorise their access, but they won’t need your actual log in details.
• Update your records regularly to avoid errors or missed deadlines.
Need help?
If you’re not sure where to start, come and see us and we’ll sit down with you. We’ll explain everything in plain language and help you feel confident about what comes next. There’s also a Government Gateway manual available at Use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax – Guidance – GOV.UK
Contact us today to ask us about our ‘getting Making Tax Digital ready’ services at [email protected]