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Your UTR number is something that HMRC use to identify you as a taxpayer. UTR stands for Unique Taxpayer Reference number. HMRC send you a UTR number when you register for Self Assessment (basically, when you declare to HMRC that you’re earning untaxed income). Here are some of the scenarios when you might need to file a tax return:
Once you’re sent your UTR number, it will never change. So if you lose it – and don’t worry, it happens to the best of us 😅 – you’ll be re-sent the same number.
UTR numbers are ten digits long and they sometimes have the letter K at the end. When you pay your tax bill by bank transfer, you have to add a K to the end of your UTR to use it as the payment reference. (Fun fact.)
Here’s what you’ll have to do – and be aware that once you get your UTR number sent, there’s more. It needs to be activated as well so don’t forget to follow all five of these steps:
If you’re not a first timer and you’ve previously registered for Self Assessment, here’s where you can find your UTR number:
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