HMRC online account: how to set up your Personal Tax Account

Your HMRC online account, called the Personal Tax Account, is HM Revenue and Customs’ secure online portal for UK taxpayers to view and manage their tax affairs without needing to call HMRC. Through HMRC services accessed via Government Gateway, you can check income tax, National Insurance, Self Assessment, tax codes and other personal tax details at any time, and many people also use a separate Business Tax Account for VAT, PAYE and Corporation Tax.

If you want to set up an HMRC online account, this guide explains who can register, what documents you need, and how to create it in 10 to 15 minutes. It also covers two-step verification, the HMRC app, how to access HM Revenue and Customs services safely through GOV.UK, and what to do if you cannot sign in.

What is the HMRC Personal Tax Account?

The Personal Tax Account (PTA) is HMRC's main online portal for individuals. It brings together information from HM Revenue and Customs about your tax code, income tax estimate, National Insurance record, self assessment return, assessment return, and other hmrc services in one place, with access available 24/7 through the account. Most people can manage the majority of their HMRC interactions through the PTA without needing to contact HMRC by phone.

What you can do through the Personal Tax Account

• Check your current and previous tax codes

• View your National Insurance record and check your State Pension forecast

• Manage your Self Assessment registration and file returns

• Set up or update bank details for tax repayments

• Check how much tax you owe and when payments are due

• Set up a Time to Pay arrangement for debts under £30,000

• Update your address, name, and employment details

• View PAYE coding notices

• Claim tax reliefs, including Marriage Allowance

What you need to register

You will need either a UK passport or a recent payslip or P60, and access to your email address and mobile phone for two-step verification. You will also need your National Insurance number, which can be found on previous payslips, P60s, or letters from HMRC.

Step-by-step: creating a Government Gateway account

1. Go to GOV.UK and search for "sign in to HMRC online services", you may need documents such as your passport or driving licence to prove your identity.

2. If this is your first time, select "Create new sign in details" to start a new sign process; if you already use HMRC online services, keep using your current details. Having sign-in details for another government service, a gov.uk one login, or an email subscription does not replace the correct HMRC setup.

3. Enter your email address. You will receive a confirmation code, and the service will guide your login sign or one login sign steps if needed.

4. Create a password and set up two-step verification using your mobile number to receive a code by text message, or use an authenticator app; if prompted, you can also create government gateway credentials rather than use one login.

5. You will be given a government gateway id when you open a new account. Save this securely, as some HMRC services must be registered separately.

6. Log in to the Personal Tax Account and verify your identity. You can register for other services separately later, so keep your details secure.

Two-step verification

HMRC requires two-step verification (also called two-factor authentication) for all Government Gateway accounts. This means you will need to enter a code sent by text message to your phone or generated by an authenticator app each time you log in from a new device. This protects your account from unauthorised access and can help reduce common login problems linked to missed security codes or identity checks.

2. If you are new to HMRC online services, select 'Create new sign in details'. This applies even if you already have GOV.UK One Login details for another government service or only have an email subscription.

3. Keep your Government Gateway ID safe, as your new account will give you a unique 12-digit ID that you may need later.

Creating sign-in details does not automatically register you for every HMRC service separately.

Business Tax Account

If you are a business owner, an employer, or a VAT-registered trader, you will also need access to the Business Tax Account. Sole traders, limited companies, employers, and businesses using the construction industry scheme can use it to manage services in one place. This is a separate portal where you manage VAT returns, PAYE submissions, and Corporation Tax. The Business Tax Account is accessed through the same Government Gateway login as the Personal Tax Account but shows different services. After you set up two-step verification, many login problems involve delayed or missing SMS verification codes.

The HMRC app

HMRC's free app for iOS and Android provides quick access to your National Insurance number, tax credits, Self Assessment deadlines, and PAYE information. It does not replace the full Personal Tax Account but is convenient for quick reference. You log in using your Government Gateway credentials.

Troubleshooting access issues

Common problems when accessing your HMRC account include:

• Lost Government Gateway user ID: Use the "I have forgotten my user ID" link on the sign-in page. HMRC will send recovery options to your registered email.

• Phone number changed: If you no longer have access to the number registered for two-step verification, you will need to call HMRC's helpline to verify your identity and reset your account.

• Identity verification failed: If HMRC cannot verify your identity online, you may need to call the helpline or visit a Post Office that offers the GOV.UK Verify service.