Why it matters
Why dental associates need specialist accounts and tax advice
As a dental associate, your accounts are usually centred on your own earnings, expenses and tax rather than the finances of a dental practice.
That can include income from more than one practice, allowable dental expenses, Self Assessment and payments on account, NHS pension contributions and deciding whether incorporation makes financial sense. If you trade through a limited company, you also have company accounts, Corporation Tax and decisions around how you take money from the business.
We work with dental associates across the UK, including:
- Newly qualified and experienced associates
- NHS, private and mixed associates
- Self-employed associates
- Associates trading through a limited company
- Associates considering practice ownership
Packages
Accounts & tax packages for dental associates
Fixed-fee packages for self-employed dental associates and associates trading through a limited company. Choose the package that matches how you work or book a call if you’re not sure what is right for you.
For self-employed associates
Self-employed associates
Associate Basic
From £650/year + VAT
For self-employed associates who need straightforward annual tax compliance and occasional support.
- Preparation and submission of your Self-Assessment Tax Return
- Review of allowable business expenses
- Annual tax reminders, deadline tracking and payment reminders
- Email support for general queries
- Dedicated dental associate accountant
For associates with a limited company
Limited Company
Ltd Company Basic
From £1,200/year + VAT
For associates trading through a limited company who need core annual accounts and tax compliance.
- Limited company year-end accounts preparation
- Corporation tax return filing (CT600)
- Software subscription
- Companies House confirmation statement filing
- Basic director self-assessment tax return (1 director)
- Basic email support
- Dedicated dental associate accountant
Limited Company
Ltd Company Comprehensive
From £1,800/year + VAT
Full Service
Best suited for high-earning associates or those who want peace of mind and proactive tax advice.
- Everything in Ltd Standard, plus:
- Tax investigation cover
- Quarterly or monthly tax planning reviews
- Regular meetings (virtual or in person)
- Priority support and proactive deadline reminders
- Proactive advice on dividend strategy and director salary planning
Not sure which package is right for you? Book a free 30-minute call and we will recommend the right level of support based on your income, expenses and where you are in your career.
Making Tax Digital: We’ll tell you if MTD applies to you. Ongoing MTD record-keeping and quarterly submissions are provided through our separate MTD service and are priced separately.
Coming soon
Keep track of your tax throughout the year
Tax is usually not deducted from self-employed associate income at source, which can make it difficult to know how much to set aside – particularly if you work across more than one practice.
Our Associate Tax Calculator works alongside your Samera accounts and tax service to give you a clearer view of your estimated tax position during the year.
Get a monthly tax summary sent to your phone
A clear update on your earnings and tax, sent straight to your phone.
Live estimates of all your tax obligations
Income Tax, Class 4 NI and Student Loan, worked out from your self-employment, employment and property income, not just a single figure.
See your effective and marginal tax rate
See how your estimated bill is calculated and what the next pound you earn could cost you.
Track all of your deductible expenses
Lab fees, mileage, subscriptions, CPD and indemnity, logged as you go.
Estimate what pension contributions could save you
See what an NHS Pension, SIPP or Gift Aid contribution saves you, in real time.
Your year-end figures already organised
Income, expenses and your tax position are already structured, so there is less to gather and your return is quicker to prepare.
The Associate Tax Calculator is designed to work alongside your Samera accounts and tax service, giving you a clearer view of your tax position between annual filings.
Existing Samera clients
Free
New clients
POA
If the practice you work at already uses Clever Practice for associate pay, our Associate Tax Calculator software updates automatically with no setup on your side. If not, you can enter your payment schedules directly.
Book a free call with Natasha or Charles to find out more.
Our Associate Tax Calculator software provides estimates only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. For a full review of your tax position, speak to your Samera accountant.
Why Samera
Why associates choose Samera
We work with associates in our own practices
Through our own dental group, The Neem Tree, we work directly with associates and understand first-hand how associate pay, expenses and financial decisions work in practice.
We help you plan, not just file
We do more than prepare your tax return. We help you understand what to set aside, plan for upcoming tax payments and decide whether changes such as incorporation or pension contributions make sense for you.
Specialist dental accountants since 2002
We have worked with dentists since 2002, so our team is familiar with the tax and accounting issues dental associates face, including Self Assessment, allowable expenses, NHS pension contributions, payments on account and limited-company structures.
With you from associate to practice owner
If you later buy or start a practice, your accountant does not have to change with you. Samera can continue supporting you as your financial needs become more complex.
Samera is led by Arun Mehra FCA, is listed in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) directory and is a Xero Partner.
Who you’ll work with
Speak to our accounts and tax team
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with an accountant who specialises in associate dentists.
Director of Operations – Accountancy and Tax
- Dental Accountancy and Tax for Associates
- Tax Saving Advice
- Accounts Systems and Automation
Dental Accountant
- Dental Accountancy for Associates
- Tax for Dental Associates
- Making Tax Digital
Get in touch
Other ways to reach us
Prefer not to book a call? You can also get in touch directly or send a message and we’ll get back to you.
- Email: info@samera.co.uk
- Phone: (+44) 20 7100 8788
- WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
Switching accountant
Switching to Samera is straightforward
- Talk to our accounts team: In a free 30-minute call, we’ll understand how you currently work, whether you are self-employed or trade through a limited company, and which package fits your needs.
- We handle the handover: If you already have an accountant, we contact them directly and arrange the transfer of the records and information we need. You do not need to manage the handover yourself.
- We get everything set up: We review the information received, set up the systems required for your package and make sure we have everything needed ahead of your next filing deadline.
- Your support continues from there: Once the handover is complete, your Samera team takes care of the ongoing accounts and tax work included in your package, with additional tax planning and HMRC support where applicable.
Client reviews
What associate dentists say about working with Samera
As a busy dental associate, I have been using Samera Accounting services for over 7 years now and have found them to be highly professional, prompt in correspondence and … extremely helpful to any enquiries which I have had.
Alistair, Dentist – 5 Stars
…amazing helpful and never made me feel silly for the million questions I had, and was always very accessible. 19/20 was my first year with Samera and I wish I had come to them sooner!”
Abi, Dentist – 5 Stars
Used Samera business advisors for my self tax return form and they were amazing from start to finish. They made me understand every single step and made the process swift!
Remzie, Dentist – 5 Stars
I’ve had an outstanding experience with Samera, and I can’t recommend them enough! … incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout … attention to detail and ability to clearly explain complex financial matters has been a huge relief for me as a dentist managing both clinical work and business responsibilities.
Emre, Dentist – 5 Stars
Next steps
Other ways Samera supports associates
Dental accountants
Specialist accounting, tax and financial support for dentists at every stage of their career.
Accounts for practice owners
Accounts, tax, bookkeeping and financial reporting for dentists who take the step from associate to practice owner
Making Tax Digital
Support with MTD for Income Tax, including digital record keeping and quarterly submissions where required.
Tax Investigation Insurance Cover
Protection against the professional costs of dealing with an HMRC tax investigation.
Buy a Dental Practice
Support with the financial, tax and commercial side of buying your first dental practice.
Company Management
Help with company formation, statutory filings and ongoing company compliance for dentists trading through a limited company.
Guides
Further reading on accounts and tax
Taxes for Dental Associates
A practical guide to Self Assessment, payments on account, allowable expenses and pension planning for UK dental associates.
Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide
Learn which dental expenses can be claimed, how tax relief works and what records you should keep.
Sole Trader, Partnership, or Limited Company
Compare different business structures and understand when operating through a limited company may make sense.
Dental Accounting and Tax: A Complete Guide
An overview of dental accounting and tax, covering associates, practice owners and the key financial decisions dentists face.
Want to know more?
Frequently asked questions
How much does an accountant cost for a dental associate?
Our packages for self-employed dental associates start from £650 per year plus VAT. Packages for associates trading through a limited company start from £1,200 per year plus VAT. Fees are fixed according to the package and level of support you choose.
What is included in your accounting packages?
It depends on your package and whether you are self-employed or operate through a limited company. Services can include Self Assessment, allowable expense reviews, tax planning, company accounts, Corporation Tax, bookkeeping and HMRC support. We confirm exactly what is included before you sign up.
Do dental associates need a specialist accountant?
There is no requirement to use an accountant who specialises in dentistry, but working with one can be useful. Dental associates have particular issues around allowable expenses, NHS pensions, Self Assessment, incorporation and tax planning that an accountant familiar with the dental sector will encounter regularly.
I already have an accountant – is it worth switching?
That depends on the support you are currently receiving. If your accountant mainly prepares your tax return at year end but does not review expenses, discuss tax planning or consider whether incorporation could benefit you, there may be value in switching. We can review your current setup and explain whether Samera would offer anything different.
Should I incorporate as an associate dentist?
A limited company can make sense for some dental associates, but there is no single income level at which incorporation automatically becomes worthwhile. Your profits, how much income you withdraw, NHS pension position and wider circumstances all need to be considered. Where included in your package, we can compare the options and advise whether incorporation makes financial sense.
What expenses can I claim as a dentist?
Allowable expenses can include costs such as professional indemnity insurance, GDC fees, relevant CPD and training, professional subscriptions, qualifying travel and mileage, equipment and certain home-working costs. What you can claim depends on your circumstances, so we review your expenses to identify costs that may qualify for tax relief.
Does Making Tax Digital affect dental associates?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax can apply to self-employed associate dentists based on their total qualifying income from self-employment and property. It has applied from April 2026 where qualifying income for 2024/25 was over £50,000, from April 2027 where 2025/26 qualifying income is over £30,000, and from April 2028 where 2026/27 qualifying income is over £20,000. If MTD applies to you, we can help you move onto our separate Making Tax Digital service. MTD record keeping and quarterly submissions are not included in the standard associate accountancy package and are priced separately.
How does the NHS pension affect my tax?
If you are an NHS associate dentist, your pension position can affect your wider tax planning and should be considered alongside your earnings and other income. The calculations can become more complex as your income increases, so we take your NHS pension position into account when reviewing your tax affairs.
Talk to a specialist dental associate accountant
Whether you are self-employed, trading through a limited company or thinking about switching accountants, we can help you understand which package and level of support fits your situation.