Can I get a UTR number online instantly?

No. You register online, but HMRC posts the UTR. It usually arrives around 15 days later, and longer if you live overseas.

Is getting a UTR free?

Yes. Registering for Self Assessment and getting a UTR from HMRC is free. You don't need to pay a third party to do it.

I'm starting a limited company — do I need a personal UTR?

Your company gets its own company UTR when it's registered at Companies House. As a director you only need a personal UTR if you have to file a personal Self Assessment return.

What if I register late?

If you miss the 5 October registration deadline and owe tax, HMRC may charge a 'failure to notify' penalty based on the tax unpaid. Register as soon as you realise.

How to Get a UTR Number from HMRC (Step by Step)

How to get a UTR number

You don't apply for a UTR on its own — HMRC issues one automatically when you register for Self Assessment. This guide walks through who needs one, how to register, how long it takes to arrive and what to do in the meantime.

TaxGo Editorial TeamLast reviewed 1 October 2026 · Tax year 2025/263 min read

Who needs a UTR

You need a personal UTR if you have to send a Self Assessment tax return. Common reasons include:

You're self-employed as a sole trader and earned more than £1,000 (the trading allowance).
You're a partner in a business partnership.
You have rental income above the £1,000 property allowance — see rental income tax.
You have other untaxed income, such as significant savings interest, dividends or foreign income.
You need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge and aren't paying it through your tax code.

The full list is in our guide to whether you need to file a Self Assessment.

Check you don't already have one

If you've ever registered for Self Assessment — even years ago — you already have a UTR and should not register again. Look in the HMRC app or your Personal Tax Account. Our guide on finding your UTR lists every place it appears.

Useful tool

Not sure you need a UTR at all? Check whether you need to send a tax return first.

Do you need to file?

How to register and get your UTR

Gather your details: full name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number, phone and email, and the date your self-employment or other income started.
Choose the right route on GOV.UK: self-employed (sole trader), not self-employed (for example landlords or people with investment income), or a partner in a partnership.
Sign in or create a Government Gateway / GOV.UK One Login account and complete the online registration.
Wait for your UTR by post. HMRC says it usually arrives around 15 days after you register. It takes longer if you live overseas.
Activate online access if HMRC sends you an activation code, so you can file online.

Our step-by-step guide to registering for Self Assessment covers each route in more detail.

How long does a UTR take?

HMRC's guidance says you'll usually get your UTR by post around 15 days after registering, and longer if you live abroad. Around January it can take longer, because that's HMRC's busiest month.

The registration deadline is 5 October after the end of the tax year. For the 2025/26 tax year that's 5 October 2026. Registering early gives your UTR plenty of time to arrive before the 31 January filing deadline.

What to do while you wait

Collect your documents: P60, invoices, bank interest statements, rental statements, pension statements.
Work out roughly what you'll owe with the tax calculator.
Set money aside — the first bill can include payments on account, which surprises many people.
Start your return on TaxGo: upload your documents and have everything ready to submit once your UTR arrives.

This guide is general information based on HMRC guidance for the 2025/26 tax year, not personal tax advice. Rules and rates change — check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified adviser about your circumstances.