For dentists & hygienists

MTD for Income Tax for locum dentists & hygienists.

Associate percentages of UDA and private work, lab fees, GDC registration and materials across more than one practice. Here's how Making Tax Digital for Income Tax affects you, and when it starts.

Does this apply to me?

Most associate and locum dentists are in scope now.

MTD for Income Tax is measured on gross self-employed income before expenses. On typical associate earnings, that's over £50,000 for most dentists.

Live now
£50,000
Gross income from April 2026
£30,000
Threshold from April 2027
£20,000
Threshold from April 2028
Percentage and deductions

Your split and your lab fees both matter.

Associate pay is a percentage of UDA and private work, often with a share of the lab bill deducted. Record the income you receive and the lab fees as an expense, and your quarterly updates show the true margin on your work.

What records you need
What's changing

Digital records, four quarterly updates, one final declaration.

Your annual Self Assessment return is replaced by four short quarterly updates and a year-end final declaration, all through recognised software.

What to keep digital

  • Associate income across every practice
  • Lab fees deducted or paid
  • GDC registration and indemnity
  • Materials and consumables you fund
  • Loupes and equipment
  • CPD, courses and professional membership

Record income net of the practice split, with lab fees and materials as expenses, so each quarter is accurate.

  • Lab fees A deductible business cost
  • UDA and private Your share, recorded together
  • GDC and indemnity Recorded as business costs
The associate detail

The bits specific to dentistry.

Lab fees

Often deducted from your pay. Recorded as an expense, they keep your quarterly margin honest.

Percentage pay

You record the income you actually receive after the practice split, so your figures match your bank.

GDC and indemnity

Registration and indemnity are deductible. Keep them recorded so nothing is missed at year-end.

Multiple practices

Work at more than one? It's all one set of records, totalled into a single quarterly update.

Why Clear Books

Splits and lab fees, kept straight.

Associate pay comes with deductions to track. Clear Books keeps income and costs clear and gives HMRC exactly what MTD requires.

  • Record associate income across practices
  • Log lab fees and materials as expenses
  • Keep GDC and indemnity costs recorded
  • Send HMRC-compliant quarterly updates in minutes
  • Invite your accountant to review the figures
  • Free plan available, no timer
The Clear Books MTD for Income Tax submissions screen showing four quarterly updates submitted to HMRC
Q1 update submitted
HMRC recognised
Common questions

Locum dentist & hygienist MTD FAQ.

Do locum dentists and hygienists have to use MTD for Income Tax?
Most associate and locum dentists earn over £50,000, so it applies from 6 April 2026. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
How do lab fees work under MTD?
Lab fees are a business expense. On many agreements a share of the lab bill is deducted from your pay, so recording it keeps your quarterly figures showing the real margin.
I'm paid a percentage of UDA and private work, what do I record?
You record the income you actually receive, your share after the practice split, plus deductions such as lab fees as expenses. Clear Books keeps the two clear.
Is my GDC registration deductible?
Yes. General Dental Council registration is a business cost, as is your professional indemnity. Record them digitally with your other expenses.
I work at more than one practice, is that harder?
No. All your self-employed income sits in one set of records regardless of how many practices you work at. Clear Books totals it into a single quarterly update.
Free for self-employed dentists

Keep your splits and fees in order.

Record your income, lab fees and materials as you go, and send your first quarterly update in minutes.