Accountants for Dentists in Broughton: Tax, Accounts and Practice Support

It depends on how you are engaged. Many associate dentists work under a self-employed contract and therefore report their income through Self Assessment, while others are employed and taxed through PAYE. If your contract describes you as self-employed but the day-to-day arrangement looks more like employment, there can be complications, and it is worth reviewing the position rather than assuming either way. If you also receive income from more than one practice, from private work or from other sources, that will usually need to be included in the same return.

NHS and private income often reach your bank account in different ways, one through regular contract payments and the other through patient or insurer receipts, and keeping the two clearly separated makes both bookkeeping and reporting simpler. We can help set up a system that records each stream properly, reconciles what you have been paid against what you have earned, and keeps the supporting records that HMRC may ask to see. Where VAT applies to any part of your work, that separation also helps you identify which treatments fall where.

Costs incurred wholly and exclusively for your dental work may be allowable, and common examples include indemnity insurance, GDC and professional body subscriptions, continuing professional development, specialist equipment and materials, and mileage for travel between practices. Some costs, such as everyday clothing or expenses with a personal element, are more restricted, and the rules differ between sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. We will look at what you actually spend and explain where relief may or may not be available.

It depends on your turnover and the services you provide. Many treatments carried out by registered dental professionals are exempt from VAT, but not everything a practice does falls into that category, and cosmetic or purely elective treatments can be treated differently. Registration thresholds and treatment rules change over time, so the right answer comes from reviewing your specific mix of work rather than applying a general rule of thumb. We can look at this with you and, where registration is required, manage the returns.

Yes. Practice payroll often covers a mix of employees such as nurses, hygienists, receptionists and practice managers, alongside payments to associates that may be treated differently. We can handle payslips, PAYE and Real Time Information submissions and the associated reporting, together with auto-enrolment duties where they apply. If your team is small, or you use a mixture of employed and self-employed arrangements, we will help you keep the distinction clear and the records consistent.

There is no single structure that suits every dentist, because the right answer depends on your profits, how many people are involved, how much you reinvest in the practice and your longer-term plans. A limited company can produce different tax and administrative outcomes compared with a partnership or a sole trade, but it also brings filing and compliance obligations that need to be managed properly. We can talk through the practical differences and what they might mean in your circumstances.

Yes. A purchase or sale usually involves several moving parts, including the valuation of goodwill, equipment and any property, the treatment of the consideration, and the timing of the transaction. Having your accountant involved early means the numbers can be reviewed alongside the legal process, and possible tax consequences can be considered before decisions are finalised. We can also help you understand how the transaction will affect your accounts and returns afterwards.

Usually we begin with a conversation about how you work, your business structure, your income sources and what you currently have in place, along with access to your existing records and recent returns. If you are moving from another accountant, we can handle the professional clearance process and request what we need on your behalf. From there, we agree the scope of work and confirm exactly what information to send and when it is needed.