Most HMRC tasks that previously required a phone call, a letter, or a form now take minutes in your Personal Tax Account. If you haven’t set one up, this guide shows you exactly how — and what to use it for.
What Your Personal Tax Account Can Do
Your Personal Tax Account (PTA) is HMRC’s online self-service portal. Here’s what you can manage online:
| Task | Available in PTA |
|---|---|
| Check your tax code | ✅ Yes |
| Change your tax code | ✅ Yes |
| Claim a tax refund | ✅ Yes |
| View NI record and years | ✅ Yes |
| See State Pension forecast | ✅ Yes |
| Pay voluntary NI contributions | ✅ Yes |
| File Self Assessment return | ✅ Yes |
| View employment history (last 5 years) | ✅ Yes |
| Update your address | ✅ Yes |
| Claim Marriage Allowance | ✅ Yes |
| Manage Child Benefit | ✅ Yes |
| View PAYE underpayments/overpayments | ✅ Yes |
| VAT returns (business) | via separate Business Tax Account |
How to Set Up Your Personal Tax Account
Step 1 — Go to the sign-in page
Visit: gov.uk/personal-tax-account
Click “Sign in or create an account”
Step 2 — Sign in or create a Government Gateway ID
- If you already have a Government Gateway ID (user ID + password), sign in directly
- If you don’t, click “Create sign in details” and register with your email address
Government Gateway user IDs are 12-digit numbers, usually stored in a welcome email from HMRC. Check your email history if you’re unsure.
Alternatively: Use GOV.UK One Login — HMRC’s newer identity system that is gradually replacing Government Gateway.
Step 3 — Verify your identity
HMRC will ask you to prove who you are. You’ll need two of the following:
| Document | What you need |
|---|---|
| UK passport | Passport number and expiry date |
| UK photocard driving licence | Licence number |
| P60 | Most recent P60 from your employer |
| Payslip | From the past 3 months |
| Bank or building society account | Account number and sort code |
| Tax credit claim | If you have one |
Most people use their passport or driving licence plus a recent P60 or payslip.
Step 4 — Access your account
Once verified, you’ll see your personal tax account dashboard. Spend a few minutes clicking around — the main sections are covered below.
What to Check First
1. Your Tax Code
Go to: Income Tax → Check/update your tax code
Your tax code tells your employer how much income tax to deduct. If it’s wrong, you could be underpaying or overpaying tax:
| Common issue | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Emergency tax code | 1257L W1/M1 or BR |
| Wrong allowance | Code with too low a number (e.g. 1000L) |
| Multiple job codes | One job on BR (20% flat rate) |
| Benefits in kind | K code or lower-than-normal number |
If your code is wrong, you can update it online and HMRC will notify your employer.
2. Your National Insurance Record
Go to: National Insurance → View your National Insurance record
You’ll see:
- Total qualifying years (you need 35 for full new State Pension)
- Any gaps in your record (years that don’t count)
- Whether you can fill gaps by paying voluntary NI contributions
If you have gaps: Check whether they’re voluntary gaps (e.g. overseas), or accidental ones that could be filled. Gaps can sometimes be filled up to 6 years back, or further in some cases until April 2025 was a special deadline for filling gaps back to 2006.
3. Your State Pension Forecast
Go to: National Insurance → Check your State Pension
The forecast shows:
- How much you’ll receive at State Pension age based on current NI record
- What you’d receive if you continue paying NI until State Pension age
- Your State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028)
Claiming a Tax Refund
If you’ve overpaid income tax — commonly because you started a job part-way through the year, received an emergency tax code, or left employment — you can claim a refund:
- Go to Income Tax → Check your Income Tax for the current year
- If HMRC shows a refund due, click “Claim a tax refund”
- Enter your bank details for payment
- Refund typically paid within 5 working days
You can also claim for up to four previous tax years.
Note: Always check before calling HMRC — most refunds can now be done entirely online in under 5 minutes.
Claiming Marriage Allowance
If your spouse or civil partner earns less than the personal allowance (£12,570 in 2026/27) and you’re a basic-rate taxpayer, Marriage Allowance transfers £1,260 of their allowance to you — saving up to £252/year.
Claim online: Income Tax → Claim Marriage Allowance
The claim is backdated up to 4 years.
Managing Multiple Jobs or Sources of Income
If you have more than one job, HMRC allocates your personal allowance between employers. Your PTA lets you:
- View how allowances are split across jobs
- Request changes to allocation
- Check you’re not being overtaxed on a second job
What You Cannot Do in Your Personal Tax Account
| Task | Where to go instead |
|---|---|
| VAT registration or returns | Business Tax Account |
| Corporation tax | Business Tax Account |
| PAYE for employers | PAYE online service for employers |
| High Income Child Benefit Charge | Self Assessment |
| Pension relief above basic rate | Self Assessment |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can’t find Government Gateway ID | Check email for HMRC welcome email; call HMRC to retrieve |
| Identity verification failing | Try a different combination of documents; call HMRC helpline |
| Account locked | Wait 2 hours then try again; persistent issues need HMRC call |
| Wrong address shown | Update via “Manage your tax and address” |
| Employer details wrong | Contact HMRC — it may need to be updated at employer end |
HMRC helpline: 0300 200 3300 (Income Tax enquiries)