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. See our guide on filling NI gaps. Gaps can sometimes be filled up to 6 years back. Note: the special deadline to fill gaps back to 2006 closed in April 2025 — this option is no longer available.
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 tax 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. See our HMRC tax refund guide for a full walkthrough.
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. See also PAYE vs Self Assessment if you have employment income alongside self-employment. 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)
Related Guides
- Self Assessment UK — Registration, Filing and Payments
- Self Assessment Tax Return Guide
- Do I Need to Do a Tax Return?
- Self Assessment Deadlines
- How to Claim Tax Back from HMRC
- HMRC Tax Refund Guide — How to Claim Back Overpaid Tax
- Payment on Account — What It Is and How It Works
- How to Get Your UTR Number
- Tax Codes Explained
- Income Tax UK: Tax Codes, Allowances and Rates
- Personal Allowance 2026/27
- Marriage Allowance 2026/27
- National Insurance Explained UK
- NI Voluntary Contributions — Should I Buy Extra Years?
- State Pension Forecast Guide