If you earn untaxed income from self-employment, property, or investments, you must register for Self Assessment with HMRC to get your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). If you are filing for the first time, you must complete your registration by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you earned the income. Getting registered early ensures you receive your UTR in time to submit your tax return without stress. 📝
How to complete your registration online
Setting up your tax account with HMRC takes just a few steps. Follow this guide to register and request your tax details:
Head to the official GOV.UK portal to start your online registration with HMRC. 🖥️
Create a Government Gateway account if you don't already have one. Simply follow the on-screen prompts to set up your secure user ID and password.
Log into your Gateway account and select the option to register for Self Assessment.
Fill in the required fields with your personal details, including your National Insurance number, contact address, and business information.
Submit your application. HMRC will process your registration and post a physical letter containing your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). ✉️
⏳ Note: Receiving your UTR in the post usually takes a few weeks, so it's a good idea to register well ahead of the deadline. If you have registered for Self Assessment in a previous tax year, you don't need to sign up again, you can simply log straight into your existing account using your original Gateway details.