Managing your taxes and government benefits and reliefs can be a complex task. However, the HMRC app (which has a 4.8-star rating and is number 3 in Finance downloads in the App Store) is here to make your life easier. Whether you're a business owner or an individual, this app provides a convenient and secure way to handle your tax affairs on the go. Here our Tax Assistant, Teigan Risley explains some of the key benefits of using the HMRC app.
What can I use the HMRC app for?
The HMRC app is designed to simplify tax management for both businesses (employers) and individuals. It offers a range of features that allow you to handle your tax and payments quickly, without the need to pick up the phone. Here’s why you should consider downloading it today:
- Quick and secure access: The app is free to download and easy to use. Once installed, you can sign in securely using a 6-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
- Stay informed: View your next pay before it reaches your bank account, helping you budget better.
- Check your tax code: Ensure you’re being paid the right amount and that your tax code is correct.
- Monitor your finances: Keep track of your available money and recent transactions.
Below we detail benefits for some of the specific tools on the app:
National Insurance number
HMRC estimates that 66% of telephone calls in 2023-24 could have been dealt with online instead, such as calls checking National Insurance numbers and tax codes*. How many times have you needed your National Insurance (NI) number to fill out a form and you can’t remember it?! With the HMRC app, you can access your NI number instantly within the app and then save your NI number securely in your Apple or Google wallet, print it, or share it when needed.
Child benefit
The HMRC app also makes it easier to manage child benefits. If eligible, use the app to claim child benefit and check your recent child benefit payments. Ensure you continue to receive benefits if your child is 16 and still in full-time approved education or training.
Manage your taxes
The HMRC app offers a wide range of functionalities to help you manage your taxes efficiently:
- Check your tax code, income, benefits, employment history, state pension estimation, and more.
- Adjust your postal address – this sounds simple but it’s important. HMRC still uses the post to send out important information so to make sure you receive it you should tell HMRC if you move address.
- Get estimates and make Self-Assessment payments directly through the app.
- How much you will receive in tax credits and when they will be paid. Report tax credits changes and complete renewals.
- Manage your Help to Save account with ease.
- Use the tax calculator to determine your take-home pay after deductions.
- Track and monitor forms and letters sent to HMRC. This is ideal if you want to make sure your correspondence has been received and being reviewed by the right department.
- Request a refund if you have overpaid on your taxes. In many cases you and ask for a tax refund to be paid to a bank account instead of receiving a cheque through the post.
If you’re an employer, the app has also been updated so that you can easily work alongside job applicants to source information you need quickly, to help speed up your recruitment process. Learn more in out blog for employers here.
Stay on top of deadlines
Never miss a tax deadline again! With the app's alert system, you can set reminders and get alerts to remind you of any upcoming deadlines as well as choose to go paperless by receiving electronic communications from HMRC, therefore reducing the risk of losing important tax letters.
How do I download the HMRC app?
Getting started with the HMRC app is simple. You can download the app on the App Store for iOS here, and the Google Play Store for Android here.
Then use your Government Gateway user ID and password to sign in. If you don’t have a user ID, you can create one within the app. Once you have set up the app, you can access the app easily going forward using a 6-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
For a detailed walkthrough of the HMRC app, check out this YouTube video.
LWA are here to help
If you need assistance with any Corporate or Personal tax issue, please call our team on 0161 905 1801 in Manchester or 01925 830 830 in Warrington, or you can email mail@lwaltd.com. In the meantime, you can visit Gov.uk and search ‘HMRC App’ to learn more about the app and its benefits.
*See more in the HMRC Customer Service Report here.