An HMRC Personal Tax Account is a secure online service that allows individuals to view tax records and manage selected tax affairs in one place. It is useful for employees, sole traders, landlords, pensioners and others who need to check information held by HM Revenue and Customs. It does not replace professional tax advice, and some matters require a separate HMRC service.
What can you do?
Through a Personal Tax Account, you can:
- Check your Income Tax estimate and PAYE tax code.
- Review employment income and Income Tax paid during the previous five years.
- Submit, view or manage a Self Assessment tax return.
- Claim a tax refund and check a Simple Assessment bill.
- Find your National Insurance number and an existing Unique Taxpayer Reference.
- Check your State Pension and whether voluntary National Insurance contributions may benefit you.
- View Child Benefit and check or update Marriage Allowance.
- Update your name, address, company car or medical insurance details.
- Track tax forms submitted online.
The account can help you identify incorrect employment details, unexpected changes to your tax code or gaps in your National Insurance record. However, seeing a UTR in the account is not the same as registering for Self Assessment. If you do not already have a UTR and need to file, you must use HMRC’s separate Self Assessment registration service. A different service is also used to report and pay Capital Gains Tax on UK property.
How to access it
Go directly to GOV.UK and search for “Personal tax account: sign in or set up.” You will need HMRC sign in details, but you can create them during the process if you do not already have them. HMRC may ask you to prove your identity, normally using photo identification such as a passport or driving licence.
Use only the official GOV.UK sign in page. Avoid following unexpected links in emails or messages asking for tax details, passwords or refunds.
Account limitations
A Personal Tax Account gives convenient access to information, but the figures displayed may still need interpretation. For example, a PAYE tax code can be affected by employment benefits, estimated income or more than one source of income. Self Assessment may also involve business profits, property income, pensions, savings, dividends and capital gains. The account helps you view and submit information, but it does not automatically confirm that every entry, claim or calculation is correct.
How Reflex Accounting Helps
Reflex Accounting can support you when the information in your Personal Tax Account leads to a filing requirement, unexpected liability or tax query. Its accountants prepare and file Self Assessment returns for sole traders, landlords and company directors, review relevant income and allowable deductions, manage deadlines and assist with HMRC communication. Reflex Accounting also provides personal tax planning, bookkeeping, VAT returns and Making Tax Digital support, helping clients keep accurate records and understand what they owe before deadlines arrive.
