Monthly Archives: December 2016

Lost Your UTR Number?

By | Self Assessment Tax Return | No Comments

Whether you’re someone who likes to file your annual self-assessment tax return nice and early, or you leave all the scrabbling around until the last minute, there are a number of factors which will impact your ability to file yours with HMRC.

One of these is if you end up losing your UTR number.  Here’s what this means and how to find it if it goes astray.

Your Unique Taxpayers Reference Number, or UTR, is what identifies you personally with HMRC for all things related to your personal tax obligations. It’s 10 digits in length and is quoted on any correspondence you receive from HMRC, including:

    • Your tax return
    • A Welcome to Self-Assessment letter (SA250)
    • Notice to File a Tax Return
    • Statement of Account
    • Payment Reminders

If it comes to it and you’ve lost your UTR number, or the above correspondence, your best option is to contact HMRC directly. Do this either via their helpline on 0300 200 3310, or alternatively speak to your local tax office.

What happens next?

You will need to pass a series of security checks to allow HMRC to confirm your identity. Once this has been done they will post your UTR number to you which can take up to 7 days. This is the only way HMRC will send your UTR number to you, so get a move on if it’s approaching the deadline!

Your alternative is to appoint an agent (usually an accountant) to act on your behalf when it comes to your tax affairs. The same security rules apply however, with an agent normally getting your UTR number from you at the point you sign up for their service. There is a dedicated number at HMRC they can call if you have definitely lost your UTR number.  Agents will have to have formal authorisation from you and can therefore pass the security checks.  Again, the UTR number will be confirmed in writing by post, so allow 7 days.

Want to remove the hassle of your Self-Assessment?

If you’re looking for a bit of help to get your self-assessment tax return filed this year, why not let us do it for you? Our price structure is fixed and highly competitive, and we’ll do all the work to prepare and submit a return for you using the details you supply after your approval.  To get started simply give us a call at 0121-7778000.