What Is a UTR Number and How Do You Find Yours?

If you have ever needed to file a tax return or claim a tax refund, you will have come across the term UTR number. It is one of the most important pieces of information HMRC holds about you, yet plenty of people are not sure what it is, where to find it, or how to get one. This guide answers all of that in plain English.

What is a UTR number?

UTR stands for Unique Taxpayer Reference. It is a ten digit number that HMRC issues to identify you for tax purposes, in particular for Self Assessment. Think of it as your personal tax reference. Everyone who registers for Self Assessment, including self-employed people and CIS subcontractors, is given one, and it stays with you for life.

Your UTR is not the same as your National Insurance number. The National Insurance number tracks your contributions and benefits, while the UTR is specifically about Self Assessment and your tax account.

When do you need your UTR number?

A UTR is used whenever:

• A Self Assessment tax return is filed.
• A tax refund is claimed through Self Assessment, including CIS refunds for construction workers.
• You register as self-employed or for CIS.
• A tax agent such as TaxPro deals with HMRC on your behalf through Self Assessment.

If you are an employed (PAYE) client, you may not have a UTR yet — and you do not need to find one yourself. Where a claim needs to go through Self Assessment, TaxPro registers you so HMRC issues one.

Where to find your UTR number

If you have registered for Self Assessment before, your UTR appears on most official documents HMRC has sent you about Self Assessment. The most reliable places to look are:

• Your “Welcome to Self Assessment” letter (form SA250), sent when you first registered.
• Previous Self Assessment tax returns.
• Statements of account and payment reminders from HMRC.
• Notices to file a tax return.
• Your HMRC online account, under Self Assessment.
• The official HMRC app, which shows your tax details once you are logged in.

It is usually labelled as your “Unique Taxpayer Reference”, “UTR”, or “tax reference”, and it is always ten digits, sometimes shown with the letter K on the end when used for payments.

What if you cannot find it?

If you have registered for Self Assessment before but cannot locate your UTR, the quickest route is to log in to your HMRC online account or the HMRC app, where it is displayed. If you still cannot find it, you can ask HMRC to send a reminder, although this can take time to arrive by post.

If you have never registered for Self Assessment, you will not have a UTR yet — which is completely normal for many employed people. You get one by registering for Self Assessment with HMRC, after which the number is issued to you. If you claim with TaxPro and your claim needs Self Assessment, we handle that registration for you.

How this fits with claiming a tax refund

Most employed (PAYE) clients do not have a UTR, and you do not need to find one to start your claim. Where a claim needs to go through Self Assessment, TaxPro registers you with HMRC (which issues your UTR), files the return to reclaim what you are owed, and can de-register you afterwards so you are not left with future tax-return obligations. For the self-employed and for CIS subcontractors, the UTR is essential, because the refund comes through your Self Assessment return.

If tracking down your UTR or sorting your Self Assessment feels like a hassle, that is exactly the kind of thing TaxPro handles for you. We make sure the right references and paperwork are in place, complete the return, and deal with HMRC so your refund is not held up. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so a percentage fee only applies once your refund is secured.

Frequently asked questions

Is my UTR the same as my National Insurance number?

No. They are two different references. The UTR is for Self Assessment and tax returns, the National Insurance number is for contributions and benefits.

How many digits is a UTR?

Ten digits. It is sometimes shown with a K on the end when used as a payment reference.

I have lost my UTR. Can I still claim?

Yes. You can retrieve it from your HMRC online account or the HMRC app, or request it from HMRC. TaxPro can also help you locate and use it correctly.

Do I need a UTR to claim with TaxPro?

Most employed (PAYE) clients do not have a UTR, and you do not need to find one to start. Where a claim needs to go through Self Assessment, TaxPro registers you with HMRC (which issues your UTR), files the return, and can de-register you afterwards. A UTR is essential for the self-employed and CIS subcontractors, whose refunds come through Self Assessment.

Need to claim? We will handle the paperwork

Whether you are chasing a UTR for a CIS refund or just want your tax sorted without the headache, we can take it off your hands.

Start your claim with TaxPro and we will handle your Self Assessment and reclaim what you are owed, on a no win, no fee basis.