How to contact HMRC

Which route should you try first?

Start with your personal or business tax account, the HMRC app or HMRC's digital assistant. The Self Assessment digital assistant can transfer you to an adviser if one is available.

For other taxes, use HMRC's contact page or the full directory of HMRC contacts to find the right team. For sign-in problems, a lost user ID, password or activation code, use the online services helpdesk.

HMRC also offers general help on X through @HMRCcustomers, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, 8am to 4pm. It cannot discuss specific cases there: do not share personal details.

If you searched for an Inland Revenue telephone number, use HMRC's current details below. Inland Revenue merged with HM Customs and Excise in 2005 to form HMRC.

Which HMRC number should you call?

All six helplines below open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and close on bank holidays. Choose the team for the tax you are asking about.

The VAT line uses speech recognition and may ask security questions. You cannot pay or agree time to pay on this number. See our Time to Pay guide for background.

For Relay UK, dial 18001 then the helpline number. GOV.UK lists this option for Income Tax, VAT and National Insurance.

What should you have ready before calling?

• Your UTR for a Self Assessment or Corporation Tax enquiry. For Corporation Tax, have your 10-digit UTR ready: advisers cannot give you the reference over the phone.
• Your National Insurance number for a personal tax enquiry.
• Your Accounts Office reference or PAYE reference for an employer enquiry. Without one, HMRC can only give general advice.
• The letter, calculation or account entry you want to discuss, and a short note of your question.

Be ready to answer security questions and check that your details are up to date in your account before calling. If a letter prompted your call, our guide to HMRC letters can help you understand it.

Can you email HM Revenue and Customs?

None of the main helpline pages above lists a general enquiry email address. GOV.UK directs you to an online form, webchat, phone or post. If HMRC needs to contact you about anything confidential, it replies by phone or post.

Choose a route through the official contact directory rather than sending personal tax details to an email address found in a search result.

Are HMRC calls free?

None of the helplines above is an 0800 freephone number. According to GOV.UK's approximate call charges, 030 numbers cost up to 10p a minute from landlines and 3p to 40p from mobiles. They may be free within your call package; check with your provider.

How do you write to HMRC?

Use the postal address for the relevant team in the table. Do not add a street name, city or PO box. Couriers need a different address: check HMRC's courier delivery instructions before arranging delivery.

Include your relevant tax reference, explain what you need and keep a copy. You can check when to expect a reply from HMRC online.

Which number handles tax refunds?

There is no separate tax refund line. For a PAYE refund, call 0300 200 3300. For a Self Assessment refund, call 0300 200 3310. Both use the opening hours above.

If you are unsure whether you need to file a return, see who needs to file Self Assessment.

What should you do about suspicious contact?

Forward suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, then delete them. Forward suspicious texts to 60599 (charged at your network rate). Report suspicious calls through HMRC's reporting page.

HMRC never sends tax rebate notices or asks for personal or payment information by text. HMRC only ever emails about a rebate or asks for such details from an address ending hmrc.gov.uk. That ending alone does not prove an email is genuine: sign in to your account directly rather than through a link.

Where can you get extra support or make a complaint?

If a health condition or personal circumstances make contacting HMRC difficult, ask the adviser on a helpline for extra support or use the extra support webchat.

For a service complaint, follow HMRC's complaints process. If you want to challenge a penalty, read our guide to appealing a penalty.

Check the details before you contact HMRC

These details were checked on 31 October 2026. Numbers and contact routes can change, so check GOV.UK before calling or writing. RR Accountants is not HMRC and cannot answer on its behalf.