In this section:
If you're sending HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) a Self Assessment tax return, you can do it online using the secure service HMRC provides. There are many advantages to filing or sending your tax return online instead of by paper, including automatic calculations, faster processing and later deadlines.
On this page:
There are lots of advantages to sending your tax return online:
Tax return deadlines and penalties - find out more
Direct Debit payment - find
out more
You can use the free HMRC Self Assessment service or commercial software to send most tax returns online.
Some types of tax return aren't covered by the free HMRC Self Assessment service, but you can buy commercial software to send them online . These include
You can find out more by following the link below.
There is currently no free HMRC Self Assessment service or commercial software for sending the following returns, so you will need to send them on paper:
You'll need to register to use HMRC Online Services before you can send your tax return online for the first time. You must do this whether you use the free HMRC service or commercial software. See the section below for more information about using HMRC Online Services for the first time.
Read more about the different ways you can file online
First you'll need to set yourself up as a user of online services. This is a two-stage process where you:
The Activation Code is sent to your home address by the Government Gateway (the central registration service for online government services). It usually arrives within seven working days.
This is an added security measure to make sure that only you can activate your account.
Make sure you have the following information to hand:
You'll find your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) on correspondence from HMRC. If you can't find it, you can contact the Self Assessment Helpline and ask for it to be sent to your home address. HMRC can't tell you your UTR over the phone.
If you haven't completed a tax return before (or it's been a while since you did), you may not have a UTR. You'll need to register for Self Assessment before you can get one.
Find out more about registering for Self Assessment
Contact the Self Assessment Helpline
Follow the link at the end of this section and:
Once you've completed this registration process, your Activation Code will be sent to you separately by post. Allow up to seven working days for it to arrive.
Once you have both your User ID and Activation Code, you'll need to 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
If you've already registered for HMRC Online Services and enrolled for Self Assessment Online, use the link below to log in.
Log in to Self Assessment Online
If you're already registered for HMRC Online Services and 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 Self Assessment.
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
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 the link below). 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. Your ID or password will be sent to you by email, if you've provided a current email address, or by first class post.
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).
Self Assessment Online login page
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 Self Assessment service availability details and a link to the service issues page. This explains any current service issues and how HMRC is dealing with them.
Check the availability of the Self Assessment Online service
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
