HMRC advise – Unique Tax Reference (UTR) numbers are no longer available via the telephone!

HMRC advise – Unique Tax Reference (UTR) numbers are no longer available via the telephone!

With effect from 6 May 2025, HMRC will no longer confirm a taxpayer’s UTR number over the phone, either to taxpayers themselves, or to their authorised agents who are calling on behalf of their clients. 

This move, which is designed to improve HMRC’s security, and give taxpayers reassurance that their UTR is protected and will not be given out to the wrong person by call centre staff.

Although HMRC have advised that they have written to the professional tax bodies advising them of the change, they have not yet updated guidance online for the public to say phone support will no longer be provided.

A HMRC spokesperson said: ‘We’ve made this change to help keep people’s data secure. Customers still can find their Unique Taxpayer Reference in their online account and on previous self assessment letters. We can also send new letters to customers who call us once we have verified their identity.’

All taxpayers will need a unique taxpayer reference, which is a 10-digit number, to complete self assessment tax returns, so the numbers are vital when interacting with the tax office. It takes 15 days from registration to receipt of the number, which will be sent out by post.

In future, UTR numbers will only be available via the HMRC app or the individual taxpayer’s online personal tax account with HMRC. Anyone who uses these services will be familiar with the layout.

HMRC has also confirmed that agents that call on behalf of their client will also be advised of where the client’s UTR can be found. If it is not possible to retrieve the UTR from those sources, then HMRC will issue a letter direct to the agent’s client. This letter can take up to two weeks to arrive. 

Taxpayers who are unable to access digital services will have to answer some security questions in order for HMRC to confirm their unique taxpayer reference by post. 

HMRC has not yet updated the general gov.uk guidance to make it clear that helpline staff will no longer provide UTR numbers over the phone, or how taxpayers will be able to chase up a UTR if they have applied and not received it within 15-day timeframe.

If you need help with getting a UTR please contact us here at Kennedys Accounting and we will be pleased to assist.