Many UK taxpayers wonder what can you do with the HMRC app. The free app runs on both iPhone and Android devices. It has grown from a basic information tool into a practical platform for personal tax tasks.
Knowing what can you do with the HMRC app could save you a long wait on hold to HMRC. The app consistently ranks in the top five finance apps on both the App Store and Google Play.
Since its launch, the app has been downloaded by more than seven million people across the UK.
HMRC estimates that millions of phone calls each year could be avoided by using the app instead. That figure points to just how broad what can you do with the HMRC app actually is.
If you have never used it before, you may be surprised by what can you do with the HMRC app today.
From checking your tax code to finding your National Insurance number, it covers a wide range of personal tax tasks.
This article explains what can you do with the HMRC app — including its limitations — so you can judge whether it belongs on your phone.
What Can You Do With the HMRC App to Check Your Tax Code?
Your tax code tells HMRC how much Income Tax to deduct from your pay. If it is wrong, you could end up paying too much — or too little.
The app lets you view your current tax code instantly after signing in. You can also see a breakdown of why that code has been applied.
This means you can spot potential errors before they affect your take-home pay. The app displays the income and deductions HMRC holds on your record.
If something looks incorrect, you can contact HMRC directly through the app to raise a query. Checking your tax code is one of the most common reasons people log in each month.
HMRC app features around tax code visibility are available to all users who sign in with a Government Gateway account. The process takes seconds and requires no phone calls.
Where to Download the HMRC App
The HMRC app download is free and takes just a few moments. iPhone users can find it on the App Store and Android users on Google Play — search for “HMRC” and look for the official app from HM Revenue & Customs.
The first time you sign in, you will need your Government Gateway user ID and password. After that, you can set up a six-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition for quicker access.
If you do not already have a Government Gateway account, you can create one during the sign-in process.
Viewing Your Employment History and Pay Information
The app displays your income and HMRC app employment history going back up to five tax years. This is particularly useful if you are changing jobs or applying for a mortgage.
Each entry shows the employer name, the dates of employment, and the income recorded by HMRC. You can use this information to cross-check what appears on your payslips.
Discrepancies between your records and HMRC’s data can sometimes point to a tax code problem. Spotting these early may help you avoid unexpected tax bills later in the year.
The employment history function sits within the personal tax summary section of the app. It is one of the most straightforward areas to navigate and requires no specialist knowledge to interpret.
HMRC App National Insurance Number: Finding and Saving It
Your National Insurance number (NINO) is one of the most frequently requested pieces of personal information.
The HMRC app national insurance number feature lets you find it instantly without searching through old letters.
Once located, you can save it directly to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for quick access. You can also print it or share it when needed.
HMRC receives a substantial volume of calls each year from people who simply need their NI number. Accessing it through the app takes a matter of seconds.
The app also lets you view your National Insurance contribution record. This allows you to see whether there are any gaps — which may be relevant to your future State Pension entitlement.
Checking for NI gaps is a straightforward task through the app. If gaps exist, GOV.UK provides further guidance on whether you may be able to fill them.
Checking and Claiming a Tax Refund
One of the more valuable HMRC app features is the ability to check whether you have overpaid tax. The app shows whether a refund may be owed to you based on HMRC’s records.
This HMRC app tax refund process is straightforward and does not require a phone call. If a refund appears to be due, you can submit your claim directly through the app.
In many cases, payment can be made to your bank account rather than by cheque. You can also track the progress of your refund request from within the app.
Keep in mind that whether a refund is owed depends on your personal tax position for the relevant tax year. Outcomes can vary, and the app will reflect the information HMRC holds at that point in time.
If you believe a refund is owed but the app does not show one, it may be worth checking whether your tax code or employment records are correct first.
HMRC App Self Assessment Payments and Reminders
For those who file a Self Assessment tax return, the HMRC app self assessment functions include viewing how much tax you owe. You can make payments directly using open banking from within the app.
You can also add deadline reminders to your calendar. This is helpful for avoiding the automatic £100 penalty that applies if you miss the 31 January filing deadline.
The app lets you view your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which you need when filing a return. Around 340,000 people paid their Self Assessment bill via the app between April and early January 2025/26.
That figure represents a rise of around 65% compared to the same period the previous year. It reflects how many people are finding the payment process simpler through the app than through other channels.
Note that you cannot file your actual Self Assessment return through the app itself. Submitting the return requires the full HMRC online service or compatible software.
HMRC App State Pension Forecast and Child Benefit
The HMRC app state pension forecast feature shows an estimate of how much State Pension you could receive. It also shows when you are likely to become eligible to start receiving it.
You can check whether you have gaps in your National Insurance record that might reduce that forecast. The app does not allow you to make voluntary NI contributions directly — you would use GOV.UK for that step.
HMRC app child benefit features allow you to claim Child Benefit, manage your payments, and update your details. You can notify HMRC if your child stays in full-time approved education or training after age 16.
The app sends push notifications once a Child Benefit claim has been submitted, which provides a useful record. The digital claims process typically takes around ten minutes to complete.
Managing Child Benefit through the app avoids the need to complete paper forms. Changes to your circumstances can also be reported directly through the app without contacting HMRC by phone.
HMRC App vs Personal Tax Account
It is worth understanding the HMRC app vs personal tax account distinction. Both use the same Government Gateway login and draw on the same underlying personal tax data.
The Personal Tax Account is the full browser-based service, accessible on any device via GOV.UK. The app is a mobile-optimised version of many of those same services.
However, the Personal Tax Account tends to offer a wider range of functions for certain tasks. Filing a Self Assessment return or making specific changes to your tax record is done through the full online service, not the app.
Think of the app as a convenient everyday tool for checking and paying. Think of the Personal Tax Account as the fuller version for actions that need more detail or involve complex changes.
The HMRC app government gateway login is the same credential used for both. Setting it up once gives you access to both the app and the full online account.
What Can You Do With the HMRC App — and What It Can’t
Knowing what can you do with the HMRC app also means understanding where it stops.
- Business taxes — including VAT, Corporation Tax, and PAYE for employers — cannot be accessed through the app.
These require the Business Tax Account, available via GOV.UK. The app is designed for personal tax management only.
- The app does not allow you to file a Self Assessment return, although it supports payments and reminders. Submitting a return requires the full HMRC online service or compatible accounting software.
Some users report HMRC app problems with signing in, particularly if their Government Gateway account has not been fully verified. If you face login issues, the app’s settings screen contains support information.
You can send that support information to [email protected] for assistance. Most sign-in issues relate to identity verification rather than the app itself.
The app works alongside the Personal Tax Account, not as a replacement for it. Used together, they cover most personal tax tasks without the need to call HMRC.
Summing up
The HMRC app is a practical, free tool for managing personal tax tasks from your phone.
It covers a wide range of functions — from checking your tax code and finding your NI number to making Self Assessment payments and viewing your State Pension forecast.
It does not replace the full Personal Tax Account or allow you to file a tax return, but it handles many everyday queries quickly and securely.
For most people, it is worth downloading and setting up even if you only use it occasionally.
Checking your tax code or finding your NI number may take seconds rather than requiring a phone call to HMRC. For further information on tax refunds and what you may be owed, visit our
For further information on tax refunds and what you may be owed, visit our tax rebate guides.
Key Takeaways For Managing Your Tax Online
- The HMRC app is free to download on the App Store and Google Play for both iPhone and Android devices.
- You can use it to check your tax code, view your employment history, and find your National Insurance number.
- The app lets you check whether a tax refund may be owed and submit a claim directly if one appears to be due.
- Self Assessment users can view how much they owe, make payments via open banking, and set deadline reminders.
- Business taxes, filing a Self Assessment return, and certain detailed changes require the full HMRC online service rather than the app.
- The app and the Personal Tax Account use the same Government Gateway login and work best when used together.
HMRC App FAQs
Q1 HMRC app download: How do I download the HMRC app?
A: The HMRC app is free to download from the App Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users. Search for “HMRC” and look for the official app from HM Revenue & Customs. You will need a Government Gateway account to sign in when you first open it. If you do not have one, you can set one up during the sign-in process.
Q2 HMRC app check tax code: Can I check my tax code on the HMRC app?
A: Yes. Once signed in, the app displays your current tax code and a summary of the income and deductions HMRC holds on record. This lets you identify potential errors before they affect your pay. If your tax code looks incorrect, you can raise a query through the app or by contacting HMRC directly.
Q3 HMRC app self assessment: Can I pay my Self Assessment bill through the HMRC app?
A: Yes. The app lets you view how much Self Assessment tax you owe and make a payment using open banking. You can also set reminders for the 31 January filing and payment deadline. Note that you cannot file your actual Self Assessment return through the app — that requires the full HMRC online service or compatible software.
Q4 HMRC app government gateway: Do I need a Government Gateway account to use the HMRC app?
A: Yes. The app requires a Government Gateway user ID and password the first time you sign in. After that, you can set up a six-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition for quicker access. If you do not already have a Government Gateway account, you can create one during the sign-in process.
Q5 HMRC app what it can’t do: What can’t you do with the HMRC app?
A: The HMRC app does not support business taxes such as VAT, Corporation Tax, or PAYE for employers — these are managed through the Business Tax Account on GOV.UK. You also cannot file a Self Assessment return through the app. For those tasks, you would use the full HMRC online service.
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