A Sole Trader's Guide to the HMRC App

The Accounted Business Team·10 March 2026·8 min read

Why You Should Have the HMRC App on Your Phone

If you're self-employed and you haven't downloaded the HMRC app yet, you're missing out on a genuinely useful tool. It won't do everything — and we'll be upfront about its limitations — but for quick checks, payments, and staying on top of your tax affairs, it's surprisingly handy.

Think of it as a window into your tax world. You can check your tax position, make payments, view your National Insurance record, and get notifications about important deadlines — all from your phone. It won't replace your accounting software or your accountant, but it fills a gap that used to require logging into a clunky government website.

Let's walk through everything the HMRC app can do, what it can't, and how to get the most out of it.

Downloading and Setting Up

The HMRC app is available for both iPhone (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Search for "HMRC" and look for the official app with the HMRC crown logo.

First-Time Setup

When you open the app for the first time, you'll need to sign in with your Government Gateway credentials. If you don't have a Government Gateway account yet, you'll need to create one first — the app will guide you through this, or you can set one up at gov.uk beforehand.

You'll need:

Your Government Gateway user ID and password
A phone number for two-factor authentication
Your National Insurance number (for identity verification)

The app uses biometric login (fingerprint or face recognition) after initial setup, so you won't need to type your credentials every time. This is a nice touch — HMRC's Government Gateway passwords tend to be the kind of thing you forget immediately.

Identity Verification

HMRC may ask you to verify your identity during setup. This can involve answering questions about your tax history, providing details from a recent payslip or P60, or using your passport or driving licence. The process can be slightly fiddly, but you only need to do it once.

What You Can Do with the HMRC App

Check Your Tax Position

This is probably the app's most useful feature for sole traders. You can see:

Your current Self Assessment balance — what you owe or are owed
Upcoming payment deadlines
Previous payments you've made
Any payments on account due

Having this information at your fingertips means no more logging into the HMRC website just to check a figure. If someone asks "how much tax do you owe?" you can check in seconds.

Make Payments

You can pay your Self Assessment bill directly through the app. Payment options include:

Apple Pay or Google Pay — Quick and easy
Debit card — Straightforward
Bank transfer — The app provides the payment details

Being able to pay your tax bill from your phone is genuinely convenient, especially for payments on account where you know the amount and just need to get it done.

One important note: HMRC no longer accepts personal credit card payments for tax bills. Business credit cards are still accepted, but personal ones are not.

Find Your UTR Number

Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is the 10-digit number HMRC uses to identify you for Self Assessment. If you've ever needed it and couldn't find the letter, you'll appreciate that the app shows it clearly.

Your UTR appears in the Self Assessment section of the app. No more hunting through old paperwork.

View Your Tax Code

If you're employed alongside being self-employed — which many sole traders are, especially when starting out — you can check your current tax code through the app. This is useful for making sure HMRC has your employment details right, especially if your tax code affects how much tax you pay through PAYE.

Check Your National Insurance Record

The app lets you view your National Insurance contribution record, including:

Which years you've paid
Any gaps in your record
Your qualifying years for State Pension

For sole traders, this is particularly relevant because you pay Class 2 NI (currently £3.45 per week) and Class 4 NI (6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2% above that). Checking your record helps ensure you're building up enough qualifying years for your State Pension.

View Coding Notices

If HMRC changes your tax code, you'll receive a coding notice explaining why. The app lets you view these without waiting for a letter or logging into the full website.

Access Your Personal Tax Account

The app gives you a streamlined view of your Personal Tax Account, which is the same information available through the HMRC website but presented in a mobile-friendly format.

Notifications and Reminders

The app sends push notifications for:

Upcoming Self Assessment deadlines
Payment reminders
Changes to your tax code
Messages from HMRC

These reminders alone make the app worth installing. Missing a Self Assessment deadline can result in penalties, and a timely notification on your phone is much harder to ignore than an email buried in your inbox.

What You Can't Do with the HMRC App

Here's where we need to manage expectations. The HMRC app has clear limitations.

File Your Self Assessment Tax Return

This is the big one. You cannot file your Self Assessment return through the app. If you need to submit your annual tax return, you'll need to use:

HMRC's online service via a web browser
Commercial tax software
An accountant

The app shows your Self Assessment status and lets you make payments, but the actual filing happens elsewhere.

Submit MTD Returns

The HMRC app does not handle Making Tax Digital submissions. MTD quarterly updates and VAT returns must be submitted through MTD-compatible software. Accounted, for example, handles MTD submissions through Penny the AI bookkeeper — the HMRC app doesn't compete in this space.

Manage Your VAT

If you're VAT-registered, the app doesn't let you view or submit VAT returns. For all things VAT, you'll need the HMRC online service or compatible software.

Contact HMRC Directly

The app doesn't have a messaging or chat function for contacting HMRC. If you need to speak to someone, you'll still need to call the helpline (0300 200 3310 for Self Assessment) or write to them.

Manage Complex Tax Affairs

If you have multiple income sources, overseas income, capital gains, or other complex tax situations, the app won't help you manage these. It's designed for quick views and simple actions, not comprehensive tax management.

Security Features

Given that the app contains sensitive financial information, HMRC has built in several security measures:

Two-factor authentication on first login
Biometric login (fingerprint/face) for subsequent access
Automatic timeout if the app is inactive
No storage of card details after payments
Encryption for data in transit

The security is solid. HMRC takes data protection seriously (they have to — they're sitting on everyone's financial details), and the app reflects this.

Common Issues and Fixes

"I can't verify my identity"

This is the most common complaint. HMRC's identity verification can be finicky. If you're struggling:

Make sure you're using the exact details HMRC has on file
Try using a different verification method (passport vs. driving licence)
If all else fails, call HMRC to verify your identity over the phone, then try the app again

"My balance doesn't look right"

HMRC's systems don't always update in real time. Payments can take 3-5 working days to show. If you've just made a payment, give it a few days before worrying.

"The app keeps logging me out"

This is usually a security timeout. Check your phone's settings to ensure the app has permission to use biometrics. If the problem persists, try deleting and reinstalling the app.

"I can't see my Self Assessment section"

If you've only recently registered for Self Assessment, it can take several weeks for everything to appear in the app. HMRC's systems are not known for their speed.

When to Use the App vs the Website vs an Agent

Here's a quick guide to choosing the right tool for the job:

Use the HMRC App When...

You want to check your tax balance quickly
You need to make a payment
You want to find your UTR number
You want to check your tax code or NI record
You want deadline reminders

Use the HMRC Website When...

You need to file your Self Assessment return
You need to manage your VAT
You need to update your personal details
You need to access detailed correspondence
You need to set up a payment plan

Use Compatible Software (like Accounted) When...

You need to submit MTD quarterly updates
You need to keep digital records for HMRC
You want automated bookkeeping and receipt management
You need to file VAT returns digitally

Use an Accountant When...

Your tax affairs are complex
You need tax planning advice
You're facing an HMRC enquiry
You want someone to handle everything for you

Useful Tips

Turn on notifications — The deadline reminders alone are worth it
Check your NI record annually — Make sure there are no gaps that could affect your State Pension
Save your Government Gateway details somewhere secure — You'll need them for the website too
Use the app for quick payments — Apple Pay makes paying your tax bill almost too easy
Don't rely on the app for everything — It's a companion tool, not a complete solution

The Bottom Line

The HMRC app is a solid, free tool that every sole trader should have on their phone. It won't handle your bookkeeping, file your tax return, or manage your MTD submissions — for that, you need proper software like Accounted. But for keeping an eye on your tax position, making quick payments, and staying on top of deadlines, it's genuinely useful.

Download it, set it up, and turn on notifications. It takes five minutes and could save you from a missed deadline penalty down the line.

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