Accountants for Dentists in Burton On Trent

You are not legally required to use an accountant, but many associate dentists find it helpful because associate income is usually taxed through Self Assessment rather than PAYE. That means you are responsible for reporting your income, claiming the expenses you are entitled to and paying the right amount of tax and National Insurance, often through payments on account. An accountant can prepare the return, check that expenses such as indemnity cover, GDC fees, professional subscriptions and a proportion of travel or home office costs are treated correctly, and help you plan for the tax bill rather than being caught out by it.

For most self-employed dentists, both NHS contract income and private treatment fees form part of your taxable trading or professional income, and they are reported together on your tax return. How that income is recorded and what can be offset against it depends on whether you are a sole trader, in a partnership or operating through a limited company, and on whether the income is yours personally or the practice's. Because NHS payments, private fees and plan subscriptions often arrive on different schedules and in different formats, keeping clean records throughout the year makes the tax position much clearer.

Yes. Many practice owners need both, because the practice and the individual are separate for tax purposes. We can look after the practice accounts, bookkeeping, payroll for staff, VAT where it applies and Corporation Tax or partnership returns, while also handling the owner's personal Self Assessment. Keeping both sides together usually means fewer surprises, since drawings, dividends, salaries and profit shares can be considered as a whole.

Commonly claimed costs include indemnity insurance, GDC registration, professional body subscriptions, continuing professional development, clinical clothing, and equipment or materials used in your work. Certain travel between sites, a proportion of home office costs and contributions to a pension may also be relevant. What you can claim depends on your employment status and how the expense relates to your work, and some costs are treated differently depending on whether you are an employee, a sole trader or a company director, so it is worth checking before assuming an expense is allowable.

VAT depends on your turnover and the nature of the services you provide, and the rules are not identical for every type of dental work. Some treatments are exempt while others may be standard-rated, and mixed NHS and private income can make the position less straightforward. If your taxable turnover approaches the registration threshold, it is worth reviewing the position early so you understand the impact on your pricing and cash flow before you have to act.

There is no single answer that suits every dentist. Sole trader status is straightforward and suits many associates, partnerships are common where two or more dentists share a practice, and a limited company can sometimes be appropriate for practice owners depending on profit levels, plans for reinvestment and how you want to take money out of the business. Each structure carries different tax, administrative and disclosure obligations, so the right choice depends on your individual and practice circumstances.

As a starting point, we would usually ask for details of your income sources, your business or practice structure, any existing accounts or tax returns, and records of your expenses. If you are already trading, we will also want to understand how your bookkeeping is currently handled and whether you are registered for VAT or run payroll. If you are switching accountants, we can talk through what is needed to take over the work and what information your previous adviser should provide.

Yes, switching accountants is usually a straightforward process. We would normally contact your existing adviser to request the relevant records and information, confirm the position on any outstanding filings, and agree a start date so there is no gap in your accounting. It often helps to make the change at a natural point in the year, but we can work around your circumstances and explain what is involved at each stage.