How to find your UTR number: 5 quick places to check
04/11/2026
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If you need to know how to find your UTR number, the quickest way is to sign in to your HMRC Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app. It is also printed on past tax returns and on most HMRC Self Assessment letters, such as notices to file and payment reminders.
This guide explains how to find your UTR number as an individual, sole trader or company director. It also covers company UTRs, how a UTR differs from other HMRC references, and what to do if you cannot find yours anywhere.
What is a UTR number?
A UTR is a 10-digit number HMRC uses to identify a Self Assessment or Corporation Tax record. HMRC sometimes calls it simply your “tax reference”.
You get a UTR when you register for Self Assessment or set up a limited company. It is free and does not usually change, even if you stop filing tax returns for a few years.
You need your UTR to file a Self Assessment tax return, pay your tax bill, deal with HMRC about your tax affairs, register as a subcontractor under the Construction Industry Scheme or authorise an accountant to act for you.
What a UTR number looks like
A UTR is 10 digits long, for example 12345 67890, and some HMRC letters split it into two groups of five. Knowing the format helps when you are working out how to find your UTR number among the other references on your paperwork.
When you pay a Self Assessment bill, the same 10 digits are followed by the letter K. That 11-character version is your payment reference, not a different number.
How to find your UTR number online
If you are wondering how to find your UTR number quickly, start online. These options work even if you have lost your paperwork. If you are registered for Self Assessment, your UTR is available in both places below.
1. Your HMRC Personal Tax Account
Sign in to your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK with your Government Gateway user ID or your GOV.UK One Login details, then open the Self Assessment section to see your UTR.
If you have never used HMRC online services, choose to create new sign-in details. You will need to prove your identity before you can see your tax records.
2. The HMRC app
The official HMRC app shows your UTR once you sign in with the same details. It is useful when you need the number quickly, for example while filling in a form on your phone.
How to find your UTR number on paperwork and payments
If you cannot get into your online account, your UTR is almost certainly on something HMRC has already sent you.
3. HMRC letters and past tax returns
Your UTR appears on previous Self Assessment tax returns and on most Self Assessment letters from HMRC, including:
- notices to file a tax return;
- payment reminders and statements;
- paying-in slips and penalty notices.
It is usually near the top of the page, labelled “UTR”, “Unique Taxpayer Reference” or “Tax reference”.
4. Your Self Assessment payment history
If you have paid a Self Assessment bill by bank transfer, check your banking app. The payment reference you used is your UTR followed by the letter K, so removing the K gives you your UTR.
5. Your accountant
If an accountant such as Fusion Accountants files your tax returns, they will already hold your UTR on file. Ask them before contacting HMRC.
How to find a company UTR number
A limited company has its own Corporation Tax UTR, separate from the personal UTR of each director or shareholder. HMRC creates it after the company is incorporated at Companies House.
You can find a company UTR on previous Corporation Tax returns and on HMRC letters about Corporation Tax. If you cannot find it, you can request the Corporation Tax UTR online, and HMRC will post it to the registered office address held at Companies House. Check that address is up to date before you request it.
Once the UTR is in place, our Corporation Tax services can take care of the company’s returns. A director who receives dividends or other untaxed income may also need a personal UTR to file their own Self Assessment return.
What to do if you cannot find your UTR
If you have tried every option above and still do not know how to find your UTR number, contact HMRC’s Self Assessment helpline. Have your National Insurance number ready so HMRC can locate your record.
GOV.UK lists each official route in its find your UTR number guidance.
If you have never had a UTR
If you have never registered for Self Assessment, you will not have a personal UTR. You must register by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you first need to file, and HMRC usually posts your UTR around 15 days after you register. It takes longer if you live abroad.
Our guide on how to register for Self Assessment explains who needs to register and the deadlines that apply.
If you have filed tax returns before
If you registered in the past but did not send a tax return last year, you may need to reactivate your Self Assessment account rather than register as a new taxpayer. The GOV.UK registration service guides you through this, and you will need your existing UTR to do it.
UTR vs other HMRC reference numbers
Several HMRC and Companies House numbers look similar, so it is easy to quote the wrong one. This table shows how a UTR differs from the others.
| Reference | What it looks like | What it is used for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTR | 10 digits | Self Assessment or Corporation Tax record | Personal Tax Account, HMRC app, HMRC letters |
| National Insurance number | 2 letters, 6 digits, 1 letter, e.g. QQ 12 34 56 C | National Insurance and State Pension | Payslips, P60, Personal Tax Account |
| Government Gateway user ID | Up to 12 characters | Signing in to HMRC online services | The email sent when you created it |
| Company registration number | 8 characters | The company’s Companies House record | Certificate of incorporation, Companies House register |
| VAT registration number | 9 digits, often with a GB prefix | VAT returns and invoices | VAT registration certificate, business tax account |
| Employer PAYE reference | Tax office number and reference, e.g. 123/AB45678 | Payroll | P60, P45 |
Your P60 and payslips do not show your UTR. If you are only employed and have never registered for Self Assessment, you are unlikely to have one.
How to keep your UTR safe
Treat your UTR like any other identifying number. Share it only with HMRC, your accountant or organisations with a genuine need, such as a contractor paying you under the Construction Industry Scheme.
HMRC never uses texts to tell you about a tax rebate or to ask for personal or payment details, and it only emails about rebates from addresses ending in hmrc.gov.uk. Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599, then delete them. GOV.UK explains how to report suspicious HMRC emails, texts and calls.
Frequently asked questions
Is a UTR the same as a tax code?
No. A tax code, such as 1257L, tells your employer or pension provider how much tax to deduct from your pay. Our guide to HMRC tax codes explains what each code means.
Can I file a tax return without a UTR?
No. HMRC needs your UTR to match the return to your record, so register early enough for the number to arrive well before the 31 January online filing deadline.
Need help with your UTR or tax return?
If you are still unsure how to find your UTR number, or you have it and now need to file, our Self Assessment tax return service can handle registration, HMRC correspondence and filing for you.
This article provides general information only and is not personalised tax, accounting or legal advice. Requirements depend on your circumstances, so take professional advice before acting.
Fusion Accountants is a firm of ICAEW Chartered Accountants supporting sole traders, landlords, directors and limited companies across the UK. Book a free consultation with Fusion Accountants to talk through your Self Assessment or company tax affairs.
