Website of the UK government

Advantages of filing online

There are lots of advantages to sending your tax return online:

• filing online is safe and secure - your account is encrypted, and protected by your chosen password and a unique User ID that's sent only to you
• your tax is worked out automatically as you complete the form, so you know what you owe or are owed right away
• online tax returns are processed faster than paper returns and any money you are owed by HMRC is repaid to you more quickly than if you file on paper
• the deadline for filing online returns is later than for paper returns
• you can monitor your Self Assessment 'account' online - this includes statements of your payment history and what you currently owe or are owed
• you can save your data safely and return to it later - this means you can complete your tax return at your own pace, provided you meet the filing deadline
• it's easy to store your completed return online and to print out a copy for your records
• filing online is convenient and can be done at any time of day or night and you get an instant acknowledgment as soon as HMRC receives your tax return
  

• Tax return deadlines and penalties - find out more

Software you can use to file your tax return online

You can use the free HMRC Self Assessment Online software or commercial software (some are also free) to file your tax return online.

Some types of tax return – for example the Trust and Estate Tax Return and the Partnership Return - and some supplementary pages aren't supported by the HMRC service, but are provided by commercial software.

There is currently no software available for filing the following returns (so you will need to submit them on paper):

• SA700 - Non-resident Company Tax Return
• SA970 - Trustees of Registered Pension Schemes

Whichever software you choose, new users need to register before they can file online - see the section below.

• Software you can use for your tax return

If you’re using HMRC Online Services for the first time

First you'll need to set yourself up as a user of Online Services. This is a two-stage process where you:

• 'register' for online government services and at the same time ‘enrol’ (sign up) for at least one service – such as Self Assessment Online
• activate your account using a code, known as the Activation Code  – this is sent to your home address by the Government Gateway (the central registration service for online government services) and usually arrives within seven working days

Why do you need to wait for an Activation Code?

This is an added security measure to make sure that only you can activate your account.

Information needed to register

Make sure you have the following information to hand:

• your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
• either your postcode or National Insurance number

You'll find your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) on correspondence from HMRC or you can contact your Tax Office and ask for it - it can only be sent in the post to your home address.

If you're new to Self Assessment, your UTR will be on your welcome letter.

• Find your local Tax Office Opens new window

Registering as a new user

Follow the link at the end of this section and:

1. Select 'Register' in the 'New User' section.
2. Choose the type of account you need - individual (personal or self employed), organisation (partnerships) or agent (if you're acting for a client).
3. Select 'Self Assessment Online' as the service you wish to use.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions (this will include reading and accepting the Terms and Conditions, and creating a password of your choice).
5. You'll be shown your unique User ID on-screen.

Once you've completed this registration process, your Activation Code and User ID will be sent to you separately by post. Allow up to seven working days for them to arrive.

Activating your account

Once you have both your User ID and Activation Code, you'll need to return to the HMRC website, select Self Assessment Online from the 'do it online' section and log in using your User ID and chosen password.

From here, follow the instructions to activate Self Assessment Online. You must do this within 28 days. After this time your Activation Code will no longer be valid. Once you've activated the service you can destroy the Activation Code.

• Register for Self Assessment Online Opens new window

If you’re already using an HMRC online service

If you’ve previously used Self Assessment Online

If you've already enrolled for Self Assessment online, use the link below to log in.

• Log in to Self Assessment Online Opens new window

If you’ve previously used VAT Online

If you're already enrolled for VAT Online for sole traders, you don't need to register again. Simply log in using your existing User ID and password then follow the on-screen instructions to add the Self Assessment Online service.

You'll receive an Activation Code in the post within seven working days. You must activate the service within 28 days.

• Log in to HMRC Online Services Opens new window

If you’ve lost your User ID or password

You can find your User ID on the card and letter sent to you by HMRC when you first registered to use an HMRC Online Service.

If you can't find your ID or your password and you’re already registered for HMRC Online Services, go to the online services login page (see link below), and follow the 'lost user id' or 'lost password' link under the heading 'existing users'.

For security purposes you'll need to answer a number of questions before a replacement User ID or password is issued. The Government Gateway will send a replacement User ID or password either online if you have a Government Account email address or by first class post to the address they hold on their records.

If you've lost both your User ID and password please call the Online Services Helpdesk (you'll find the number in the 'Online Services Helpdesk' section below).

• Log in to Self Assessment Online Opens new window

Self Assessment Online service issues

For information on service availability and any technical issues with Self Assessment Online follow the link below to the 'Service availability’ page. You’ll find the latest service availability details and a link to the service issues page, which explains any current service issues and how they're being dealt with.

• Check the availability of the Self Assessment Online service Opens new window

Online Services Helpdesk

If you have problems registering or enrolling for Self Assessment Online you can contact the HMRC dedicated Online Services Helpdesk.

• Contact the Online Services Helpdesk Opens new window