Key Takeaways
You should tell hm revenue and customs about your new address as soon as you move, ideally within a couple of weeks of your move date.
The fastest way to change your address is online through your personal tax account or the hmrc app, with changes usually visible within 24–48 hours.
Updating your address with hmrc does not automatically update other bodies like companies house, DVLA for your driving licence, or your local council.
Different hmrc areas such as self assessment, child benefit, tax credits, and national insurance may need separate checks to confirm the address change has applied.
If you cannot access your government gateway account, you can still change your address by phone or post, though these methods are slower.
Introduction: Why You Must Tell HM Revenue and Customs You’ve Moved
HM Revenue and Customs uses your home address for almost every piece of official correspondence: tax codes, self assessment tax return reminders, refund calculations like P800 notices, penalty letters, and child benefit renewal packs. If your address is out of date, important documents could end up at the wrong property, and you may never see them.
An outdated address can lead to missed deadlines, incorrect assessments, and potential surcharges. Crucially, not receiving a letter because you forgot to update hmrc is not a valid excuse for late filing or non-payment. You are responsible for keeping your personal details current.
You should wait until you have moved before notifying hmrc. Once your new address and postcode are confirmed, aim to notify hmrc within two weeks of moving. This article covers how to change your address online, via the hmrc app, by phone, and by post-plus what to do for business addresses and companies house filings.
The main hmrc areas affected by an address change include:
Income tax and PAYE
Self assessment tax return
National insurance
Student loans
Tax credits
Child benefit
Before You Start: What You Need To Change Your Address With HMRC
Having the right details ready before you begin will make your hmrc change of address much quicker. Key information is needed to update your address with hmrc, so gather everything in advance.
You will need:
Your national insurance number
Your date of birth
Your full previous address
Your full new address including postcode
The date you moved
To update your address online, you need a government gateway account. This same login is used for your personal tax account, which is the online dashboard where you can view PAYE details, self assessment records, tax codes, and contact preferences.
If this is your first time creating a government gateway account, you may need to verify your identity using photo ID such as a UK driving licence or passport. Information from a recent P60 or payslip can also help during the identity verification stage. Once you have your login credentials and documents to hand, the process is straightforward.
How To Change Your Address Online Using Your Government Gateway Account
The fastest way to change your address is online. This is the default method most people should use to tell hm revenue and customs about an address change, and it takes just a few minutes.
The process is done through the personal tax account on the gov.uk website using your government gateway user ID and password. This method normally updates hmrc records linked to income tax, national insurance, and self assessment within 24–48 hours.
Below is a step-by-step walkthrough covering everything from sign-in to confirmation.
Step 1: Sign In To Your HMRC Personal Tax Account
Go to the official GOV.UK Personal Tax Account page (gov.uk/personal-tax-account) and select the sign-in option. Enter your government gateway user ID and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one in a few minutes by following the on-screen prompts.
During the identity verification stage, have your national insurance number ready, along with a P60, payslip, or a valid UK passport or driving licence. These help hmrc confirm your identity and link the correct records to your account.
Before proceeding, make sure your contact email and mobile number are correct. HMRC may send security codes or confirmations to these during the login process.
Step 2: Go To ‘Check And Update Your Personal Details’
Once logged in, select "Profile and settings" or the similarly named "Check your personal details" link. On this screen you will see your current name, address, contact details, and any communication preferences held by hm revenue and customs.
Review that the existing address shown is the one you have just moved from, and confirm that other details look accurate. This is also a good time to check your email and phone numbers, especially if you will be contacting hmrc about self assessment or tax credits later.
Step 3: Select ‘Change Your Address’ And Enter Your New Details
Click the "Change your address" link on the profile page. HMRC usually provides a postcode lookup based on Royal Mail data, so enter your new postcode and choose the correct address from the list that appears.
If your property is new or not recognised by the postcode lookup, you can normally type the address manually. Be careful to match the format used by your council or Royal Mail to avoid rejection.
Enter the date you moved into the new address as accurately as possible. This can matter for tax years and assessment tax return periods.
Step 4: Confirm And Submit Your HMRC Address Change
You will see a summary screen showing your old and new address alongside the effective date of the change. Double-check spelling, flat numbers, and postcodes before pressing confirm. This address will be used for letters, official notices, and any future refund cheques.
Once you submit, hm revenue and customs systems will begin updating linked records. Changes via the personal tax account take effect within 48 hours for most services. Consider taking a screenshot or saving the confirmation page for your own records in case of any dispute later.
Step 5: Check That Your Address Has Updated Across HMRC Services
Log back into your personal tax account after 24–48 hours to confirm the new address is showing on the main profile. Self assessment users should specifically check their self assessment section and online tax return account to make sure the new address appears there.
If you receive tax credits or child benefit, review any separate online accounts or recent letters to verify hmrc has applied the change correctly. If the new address is still not visible after two working days, contact hmrc by phone or use the digital assistant to confirm the update.
Using The HMRC App To Change Your Address
The free hmrc app is available on both Android and Apple devices and offers most of the same services as the online personal tax account. The HMRC app allows address updates on mobile devices, making it convenient if you prefer managing your tax on the go.
Sign into the app with your government gateway details. Once logged in, navigate to the profile or personal details area and select "change address." The app supports postcode lookup and manual address entry, just like the website.
Using the hmrc app is a secure way to change your address. Address changes submitted through the app usually update just as fast as website changes, often within 24–48 hours. The app can also show tax codes, refund status, and payments on account, so it is worth keeping installed after your move.
Alternative Ways To Contact HMRC To Change Your Address
Not everyone can use online services or the hmrc app. If you are having government gateway access problems, or simply prefer speaking to someone, you can also contact hmrc by phone to update your address, or write to them by post.
These methods take longer, so allow extra time for the address change to be processed. Identity checks will still be required on the phone, and postal correspondence should include clear personal details and a signature. Different helplines exist for income tax, self assessment, tax credits, and child benefit, so have relevant reference numbers ready before you call.
These methods are suitable for UK residents and those living overseas, with different telephone numbers for callers outside the UK.
Change Your Address With HMRC By Phone
Phone is useful when online access is not possible, but callers should expect queues at busy times. For income tax and PAYE address changes, call HMRC's Income Tax helpline at 0300 200 3300. Lines are open monday to friday during standard office hours.
Before calling, have these ready:
National insurance number
Full name and date of birth
Previous address and new address
Separate phone lines exist for self assessment (the assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310), tax credits telephone line, and child benefit (0300 200 3100). Have your unique taxpayer reference or child benefit number to hand when calling these.
Phone lines are less busy before 10am on weekdays. Mid-week days tend to be quieter than monday mornings or the days immediately after bank holidays.
Change Your Address With HMRC By Post
You can change your address by post, but it is the slowest method. Use this only if online and phone options are not suitable.
Write to: HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AS, United Kingdom. Mark the letter clearly with your full name and "Change of Address."
Your letter should include:
Full name
National insurance number
Previous address
New address including postcode
Date of move
Handwritten signature
Send the letter by a service that provides proof of posting or tracking, especially if you have an ongoing self assessment or tax enquiry. Postal updates can take several weeks to be processed, so check your personal tax account or contact hmrc later to confirm the change has been made.
If You Cannot Access Your Government Gateway Account
Many people lose track of their government gateway user ID or password, but these can usually be recovered online. Use the "recover user ID" and "forgotten password" options on the sign-in page and follow the prompts, which include identity checks.
If the account becomes locked or recovery fails, speak to HMRC's Online Services helpdesk for support. While the account is locked, you can still update your address by phone or post using the methods described above.
Updating Addresses For Different HMRC Services And Benefits
A single address change in the personal tax account normally covers main hmrc records, but it is wise to verify individual services. Common mistakes include not updating all relevant hmrc departments, which can lead to letters going to your old property.
Key areas that may be affected include self assessment tax return, PAYE employment records, national insurance, tax credits, child benefit, and student loans. Incorrect addresses on returns or benefit claims can delay a refund or trigger compliance checks.
Keep copies of any confirmation emails or letters showing that hm revenue and customs has accepted your new address.
Self Assessment Tax Return
For self assessment taxpayers, the address held by hmrc will appear on tax return correspondence, payment reminders, and late filing penalty notices. Changing your address in the personal tax account normally updates your self assessment record, but you should still log in and check the self assessment section separately.
When filing future online tax returns, confirm your address is correct on the personal details page before you submit. If the address does not update within a couple of days, contact the self assessment helpline with your unique taxpayer reference.
Tax Credits And Child Benefit
People receiving tax credits or child benefit must keep their address up to date so payment notices and renewal packs reach the correct property. Couples with joint tax credits claims should ensure both partners have consistent address details recorded with hm revenue and customs.
While many claims will pick up the address from your core tax record, some cases may require contacting the dedicated tax credits or child benefit helplines. When calling about child benefit, have your child benefit number and national insurance number ready to pass security checks.
National Insurance, Student Loans And Other HMRC Records
National insurance records share personal details with income tax, so updating the main hmrc profile usually updates these records as well. For people with student loan repayments collected through PAYE or self assessment, an accurate address helps ensure correct statements and reminders reach you.
Anyone with ongoing hmrc enquiries or compliance checks should also write their new address on any reply letters or forms they send back. Keeping all hm revenue and customs records aligned with your current address reduces the risk of lost letters or missed deadlines.
Changing A Business Or Company Address With HMRC And Companies House
Updating a personal home address with hm revenue and customs does not automatically update business or company addresses. Sole traders, partners, and company directors may need to update both personal and business addresses separately.
It is important to understand the difference between a trading address, a registered office address with companies house, and the correspondence address used by hmrc for business taxes such as corporation tax and VAT. Business address changes may require a different process through companies house. Failing to update company addresses can result in penalty notices or confirmation statement reminders going to the wrong place.
Sole Traders And Partnerships
Sole traders should update their personal address with hmrc and ensure the same address is reflected on their self assessment or business tax records. Partnerships should confirm that hmrc holds updated contact details for the nominated partner and the partnership's trading address.
Check recent tax return submissions to see which address hm revenue and customs is currently using. Changes can often be made through the personal tax account or by phoning the self assessment helpline with the partnership UTR.
Limited Companies And Companies House
Limited companies must update their registered office address with companies house as well as informing hmrc of any change in correspondence address. Companies house updates can be done online using WebFiling or by submitting the official AD01 form for registered office changes. This must be done within 14 days of the change.
HMRC normally uses the registered office address for corporation tax letters, so keeping companies house records accurate is essential. Company directors should ensure that both service addresses and usual residential addresses held at companies house are current and consistent with hmrc records.
Other Addresses You Still Need To Update (Driving Licence, Banks And More)
Telling hm revenue and customs about an address change does not automatically notify other government bodies or private organisations. You must separately update hmrc online and all other relevant bodies.
Key organisations to notify include:
DVLA for your driving licence and V5C vehicle logbook
Local council for Council Tax and electoral roll
Banks, building societies, and credit card providers
Pension providers and insurers
Student Loans Company
Workplace pension schemes
DVLA requires separate updates for driving licences and V5C logbooks. Failing to update can result in fines or issues with police and insurance. Lenders and pension schemes rely on a current address for statements and legal notices.
Make a written or digital checklist of every organisation that needs your new address after a move to ensure nothing is missed.
Common Problems And How To Fix Them When Changing Address With HMRC
Even with clear steps, things can occasionally go wrong. Many problems can be resolved by double-checking details in the personal tax account and then contacting hm revenue and customs if needed. Delays are more common around tax year end (5 April) and self assessment deadlines (31 January), so early updates are recommended.
It is worth noting that 75% of users find answers using HMRC's digital assistant find feature on the website, so try the digital assistant before waiting on hold. Overseas moves may require contact with the hmrc international helpline and sometimes completing additional forms.
Address Not Updated After 48 Hours
If your personal tax account still shows the old address after two working days, sign out and back in, then refresh the profile page. Check your self assessment and benefits sections separately, as some areas may lag behind the main profile.
If the issue remains, contact the relevant hm revenue and customs helpline, quoting the rough date and time you submitted the change. Keep any email confirmation or reference numbers to speed up the call and demonstrate you attempted to update in good time.
Moved Abroad Or Returning To The UK
People leaving the UK or moving back may have additional obligations, such as filing a final self assessment tax return or completing departure forms. International address changes may require calling HMRC's overseas helpline number rather than the standard UK 0300 numbers.
If you are permanently leaving the UK, keep hm revenue and customs informed of your overseas address so that future assessments or a refund can reach you. More complex cases, such as split-year treatment or ongoing UK rental income, may need tailored tax guidance from an accountant beyond just changing the address.
Forgotten To Tell HM Revenue And Customs You’ve Moved
If you realise months later that you did not update hmrc, correct it immediately using one of the methods described earlier. Check for missed letters by contacting hmrc, particularly around self assessment deadlines or if you were expecting a refund.
If penalties have been issued to an old address, hm revenue and customs may still expect payment, although you can explain the circumstances when you appeal. Keep a log of when you notified hmrc and other bodies to help evidence any dispute over late letters or non-receipt.
FAQ
Does changing my address with HMRC update my driving licence details?
No. Updating your address with hm revenue and customs does not update your driving licence or vehicle logbook. DVLA is a completely separate organisation. You must contact DVLA directly to change the address on your photocard licence and V5C. Failing to do so can lead to fines or invalid insurance. It is best to do your DVLA update at the same time as your hmrc update to avoid forgetting.
Will HMRC automatically inform Companies House when I change address?
No. HM Revenue and Customs and companies house maintain entirely separate records. Changing your address with hmrc does not update company information, and vice versa. Company registered office and director addresses must be updated directly with companies house, usually online via WebFiling or using the relevant paper form (AD01). Keeping companies house records up to date is a legal requirement for limited companies, separate from hmrc tax obligations.
Do I need to submit a new Self Assessment tax return just because my address changed?
There is no need to file an extra self assessment tax return solely because of a change of address. Simply update your address through your personal tax account, the hmrc app, or by contacting the self assessment helpline. You must, however, ensure the correct address appears on your next assessment tax return and on any correspondence related to assessments or payments.
Can my accountant or tax agent change my address with HMRC on my behalf?
Authorised tax agents, such as an accountant registered with hmrc, can normally update clients' addresses for services where they are formally appointed. You should inform your accountant promptly of any address change and then verify that the update shows in your personal tax account. Some personal services, like child benefit, may still require direct contact from the taxpayer rather than the agent.
How far in advance can I tell HMRC that I am going to move?
HM Revenue and Customs generally expects you to update your address from the date you actually move, not months in advance. If the move date is very close, it may be simplest to wait until the day of the move or shortly after before submitting the change. If important deadlines fall around the move, consider using secure post, email alerts, or your online account to avoid missing any notices.
