Just started working for yourself? Or has an accountant, client or contractor asked for your “UTR”? Here is how to get a UTR number in the UK: you register for Self Assessment with HMRC, and HMRC posts the number to you. If you set up a limited company, the company gets its own number automatically.
So, how long does it take to get a UTR number? HMRC says it usually arrives by post around 15 days after you register, and longer if you live overseas. You may spot it sooner in your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app.
Below is how to get a UTR number step by step, who needs one, the fastest way to get a UTR number, and what to do if yours goes missing.
What Is a UTR Number?
A UTR, or Unique Taxpayer Reference, is a 10-digit number HMRC uses to identify you for tax. On HMRC letters, it may simply be called your “tax reference”.
So, what is a UTR number actually for? You need it to send your tax return, pay your tax and talk to HMRC. Accountants and construction contractors often ask for it too.
There are two main types:
- Personal UTR: belongs to you as an individual, including if you are a sole trader.
- Company UTR: belongs to a limited company and is used for Corporation Tax.
Even if you own the company, your personal UTR and the company UTR are separate numbers.
Do You Need a UTR Number?
Before working through how to get a UTR number, make sure you need one. You usually do if you have to send a Self Assessment tax return, for example when:
- you are self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than £1,000 in the tax year
- you are a partner in a business partnership
- you have income that has not been taxed yet, such as rent from a property
If all your income comes from a job and your tax is taken through PAYE, you usually do not need one. For most new businesses, the UTR number for sole traders is the one that matters. If you earned £1,000 or less from self-employment, the £1,000 trading allowance may mean you do not need to register at all.
Not sure? HMRC’s short online tool tells you whether you need to send a tax return. Still choosing your line of work? Our list of profitable self-employment ideas is a handy starting point.
How to Get a UTR Number: Step by Step
For most people, how to get a UTR number comes down to one free online service on GOV.UK.
What You Need Before You Start
- your National Insurance number
- your full name, home address, phone number and email address
- the date you started working for yourself, or the date your other income began
- a Government Gateway user ID and password (you can create these during sign-up)
The Five Steps
- Confirm you need to file using HMRC’s online tool linked above.
- Go to GOV.UK and register for Self Assessment. Pick the option that fits you: self-employed or sole trader, not self-employed, or partner.
- Sign in with your Government Gateway details, or create new ones.
- Fill in your details carefully. One wrong digit in your National Insurance number can hold everything up.
- Wait for your UTR to arrive by post, and keep an eye on your Personal Tax Account and the HMRC app.
When You Must Register
Part of how to get a UTR number on time is registering before the deadline. You must tell HMRC by 5 October after the end of the tax year (6 April to 5 April) you need to send a return for.
- For the 2025 to 2026 tax year, the deadline was 5 October 2026.
- If you started working for yourself on or after 6 April 2026, your deadline is 5 October 2027.
Missed the deadline? Register for Self Assessment as soon as you can, because registering late can lead to a penalty.
Which Route Applies to You?
| Your situation | How you get your UTR | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| New sole trader | Register for Self Assessment as self-employed | This is the usual route to a UTR number for sole traders |
| Landlord or other untaxed income | Register as not self-employed | Same online service, different option |
| Registered before | Reactivate your existing account | You may not need a brand-new registration |
| Limited company | Set up the company with Companies House | HMRC posts the company UTR to the registered office address |
| Partnership | The nominated partner registers the partnership | Each partner also registers and gets a personal UTR |
| Construction subcontractor | Register as a new business and choose "working as a subcontractor" | This registers you for Self Assessment and CIS at the same time |
How Long Does It Take to Get a UTR Number?
HMRC’s guidance says your UTR usually arrives by post around 15 days after you register. If you live overseas, it takes longer.
Some websites promise a UTR within days, but HMRC’s own figure is the safer one to plan around.
Why Your UTR Might Take Longer
- a typo in your name, address or National Insurance number
- an old address on HMRC’s records
- busy periods, such as the weeks before the 31 January online filing deadline
In short, how long does it take to get a UTR number? Plan for at least 15 days, and register early rather than leaving it to the last week.
What Is the Fastest Way to Get a UTR Number?
HMRC does not offer an instant or same-day UTR. Even so, a few simple habits help you avoid delays:
- Apply online rather than by post.
- Read every detail twice before you press submit.
- Register as soon as you start trading, not a few weeks before the deadline.
- Look in your Personal Tax Account and the HMRC app. Your UTR may appear there before the letter lands on your doormat.
Registering through GOV.UK is also free, so there is no need to pay a company to apply for you. Doing it yourself online is the fastest way to get a UTR number without spending a penny.
If Your UTR Has Not Arrived Yet
HMRC does not offer live tracking, but GOV.UK’s tool lets you work out when you can expect a reply from HMRC. If that date passes, look in your online account and the HMRC app. Still nothing? Contact HMRC’s Self Assessment helpline and ask them to confirm your number.
Where to Find Your UTR Number If You Have Lost It
Letters get lost, and many people end up searching “where to find my UTR number” months later. Luckily, it is usually easy to track down.
If you are an individual or sole trader, your UTR is in:
- your personal tax account
- the HMRC app
- old tax returns and HMRC letters, such as notices to file a return or payment reminders
If you have a limited company, you can request a copy of your company UTR online. HMRC posts it to the address registered with Companies House, not by email.
What Happens After You Get Your UTR?
Working out how to get a UTR number is only the first step. Once it arrives, a few sensible next moves:
- Keep simple records of money in and money out from day one.
- Get a rough idea of how much tax self-employed people pay so the bill does not come as a surprise.
- Put the online filing deadline in your diary: 31 January after the tax year ends. Depending on your bill, your first payment on account may also be due that day.
- Note that Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is a separate sign-up for some people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a UTR the same as a National Insurance number?
No. Your National Insurance number records your contributions towards benefits and the State Pension. Your UTR is used for Self Assessment and your tax return.
Is a personal UTR the same as a company UTR?
No. A limited company has its own company UTR for Corporation Tax. A director who sends a Self Assessment return uses a separate personal UTR.
Does it cost anything to get a UTR number?
No. Registering for Self Assessment on GOV.UK is free. HMRC does not charge for a UTR, so there is no need to pay a third party.
Can I track my UTR application?
Not in real time. After registering, use HMRC’s reply-date tool to work out when you should hear back, then contact HMRC if that date passes.
Do I need a UTR if I am employed?
Usually not. If all your income is taxed through PAYE, you do not need one, unless you have other income that means you must send a return.
Do I need to register again if I have had a UTR before?
Usually not. If you did not send a return last year, you may need to reactivate your existing Self Assessment account instead of registering from scratch.
Can I start working before my UTR arrives?
Yes, you can start trading straight away. However, construction subcontractors not registered for CIS face 30% deductions instead of 20%, so register early.
Is a UTR the same as a bank UTR or UPI ID?
No. HMRC’s UTR is a 10-digit UK tax reference. The “UTR” used for bank transfers in India is a payment reference with no link to UK tax.
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