Managing your tax, benefits and pension used to mean waiting on hold, filling out paper forms and hunting for misplaced letters. The hmrc app changes that entirely. With a few taps on your mobile device, you can check your tax code, view your national insurance record, see how much state pension you are building, manage child benefit and even make self assessment payments - all from your pocket.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: how to download the hmrc app, how to sign in, and how to use the app for every major feature it offers.
Key Takeaways
The hmrc app is a free mobile application for tax management in the UK, available on Android and iOS, letting you check income tax, national insurance, state pension forecast, child benefit and help to save from your phone.
You can download the hmrc app from the Google Play Store and App Store, then sign in using your government gateway user id and password - setup takes only a few minutes.
The app can show if you are on the right tax code, help you avoid income tax overpayments, and display gaps in your national insurance record that could reduce your state pension.
Families can manage child benefit details and low-income savers can access their help to save account directly through the app.
More than 7 million people already use the hmrc app, and a quick setup with fingerprint scan, face recognition or a six digit pin means future logins take seconds.
What Is the HMRC App and Who Is It For?
The hmrc app is the official hm revenue & Customs mobile app for individuals in the UK. It is free on both Android and iOS, available in English and Welsh, and connects directly to your personal tax account on HMRC's systems.
It is designed for a wide range of users:
Employees checking PAYE tax codes and take home pay
Pensioners viewing state pension forecasts
Self employed workers tracking self assessment payments and deadlines
Parents claiming child benefit or managing existing claims
Low-income savers using help to save
The main types of information you can access include income tax breakdowns, your national insurance number and national insurance record, state pension forecast, child benefit status, tax credits (for legacy claimants), self assessment balances including your unique taxpayer reference, and help to save account details. Because the app connects to HMRC's backend, data is updated for the current tax year - for example, 2025/26.
The hmrc app is separate from but works alongside the government gateway sign-in system and the newer GOV.UK One Login, which is gradually being introduced as a new service for authentication.
How to Download the HMRC App and Phone Requirements
To download the hmrc app, search for "HMRC" in the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iPhone). The publisher name should read "HM Revenue & Customs" - always verify this before installing.
Here are the essentials:
Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
Price | Free |
iOS minimum | iOS 15 or later |
Android minimum | Android 8 or later |
Download size (iOS) | Approximately 34 MB |
Data usage | Equivalent to loading about 15 standard web pages |
The app requires Android 8 or iOS 15 minimum. If the app does not appear in your store, update your device software through your phone settings. Downloading the app uses data equivalent to 15 webpages, making it manageable even on limited data plans. Using the app generally consumes less mobile data than logging into the hmrc website via a browser.
Only install the app from official app stores. Never follow links in unsolicited texts or emails claiming to be from HMRC. Check reviews and the publisher name before you tap "Install."
How to Sign In: Government Gateway and Secure Access
First-time users need a government gateway user id and password. If you do not already have an account, you can create one in around 10 minutes. The basic steps are:
Open the app and tap "Sign in"
Select "Create an account" if you are a new government gateway user
Provide an email address and create a password
Confirm your identity using a UK passport, driving licence, or by answering credit reference questions
Receive your government gateway user id (a 10–12 digit number)
After the first login, the hmrc app lets you set up a six digit pin, fingerprint scan (Touch ID), or facial recognition (Face ID). You can sign in using a six-digit PIN or biometric methods, so future access is quick and easy way to get into your account without typing long credentials.
GOV.UK One Login is gradually replacing government gateway on many digital services. As of February 2026, new users registering for the first time may use GOV.UK One Login. However, at the time of writing (June 2026), the hmrc app still primarily uses government gateway for sign-in. Existing users will be migrated later, likely in late 2026 or 2027.
Enable two-step verification on your account and keep your email and phone details up to date to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
Checking Your Income Tax and Tax Code With the HMRC App
Income tax is taken from wages, pensions and some benefits. Being on the wrong tax code can cost you hundreds or even thousands of pounds over several years - and many people never realise the error until it is too late.
The hmrc app allows users to check their tax code for each job or pension. You can see the employer or pension provider linked to each code and quickly spot if something looks wrong. The app allows real-time monitoring of payroll information, so changes made by your employer show up promptly.
It also shows an estimate of total income tax you will pay in the current tax year (for example, 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026). Users can check their total tax liability in the app, which helps detect unexpected increases or changes in their home pay deductions.
The app enables users to view their employment history for up to five years and download summaries. This is useful for identifying past overpayments or underpayments and for keeping your own records. You can use this alongside a tax calculator to understand exactly where your money goes.
If you believe your tax code is wrong, you can update relevant details - such as reporting benefits from work, second jobs or other income - through the app. For more complex issues, contact HMRC directly via the hmrc website or telephone helpline.
Self Assessment Through the App
Self assessment applies to many self employed workers, landlords and anyone with untaxed income such as rental earnings or investment gains. The usual online filing deadline is 31 January following the end of the tax year.
Key self assessment data shown in the app includes:
Your unique taxpayer reference (UTR)
Amounts due for current and previous tax years
Payment deadlines and payment history
Any late-filing penalties or interest
The hmrc app allows self assessment payments via open banking, which lets you authorise a bank-to-bank payment securely without entering sort codes and account numbers manually. Alternatively, you can generate bank details and reference codes to use with your bank account. Users can make self assessment payments securely via the app, and assessment payments processed through open banking are typically faster.
The app sends reminders for self assessment payment deadlines, and users can set up reminders for tax deadlines around key dates such as 31 January and 31 July for payments on account. This is a practical way of saving time and avoiding costly late-payment penalties.
The app also shows repayments owed to you. Users can claim tax refunds quickly through the hmrc app, and in many cases you can request a tax refund directly to your bank account. The app enables users to claim tax refunds quickly and securely.
National Insurance, NI Number and State Pension Forecast
National insurance contributions build your entitlement to the state pension and certain benefits. The hmrc app centralises all the key NI information you need in one place.
Users can view their national insurance number instantly in the app - no need to wait for a paper letter. You can save your national insurance number to a digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet), keeping it accessible whenever you need it. In 2025, around 383,000 people saved their NI number this way. You can also save your national insurance number as a PDF.
The app shows:
The number of qualifying NI years on your national insurance record
Any gaps for past tax years and how they may affect your state pension
Guidance on paying voluntary NI contributions to fill eligible gaps
The app helps identify gaps in national insurance contributions, and it allows you to buy additional national insurance years where you are eligible. This is particularly valuable for people in their 40s, 50s, 60s and early 70s who want to maximise their pension.
The state pension forecast feature shows what weekly state pension you are currently on track to receive. The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week in 2026/27. The app shows your state pension forecast and payment date, along with the earliest date you can claim. In 2025, approximately 2.38 million people used this feature to check how much state pension they could expect. You can check your state pension details in the hmrc app to plan ahead with confidence.
Child Benefit, Tax Credits and Help to Save in the App
Families and low-income savers can manage several important schemes through the hmrc app: child benefit, tax credits and help to save.
Child Benefit
Parents can quickly claim child benefit via the hmrc app in about 10 minutes. Payments for straightforward child benefit claims can take as little as 3 days. You can also:
Check payment dates and amounts
View your child benefit payment history
Update your child benefit details directly through the app
Notify HMRC when a child stays in full-time education past age 16 (child benefit support for 16–19 year olds)
Restart child benefit payments via the hmrc app if you previously opted out
For households where someone has income over £60,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies. Affected users can manage this through the app or via self assessment. In 2025, nearly 960,000 people accessed the child benefit area, and 159,000 parents extended payments for teenagers in education.
Tax Credits
Tax credits have been largely replaced by universal credit, but existing claimants can still view their current award, check recent payments, report changes in circumstances and complete their annual renewal before the usual summer deadline. This section of the app is winding down as migration continues.
Help to Save
The app provides access to the help to save account, where eligible low-income workers can view balances, track bonus payments (up to £1,200 over four years) and manage their savings. Users who want to open a new save account can start an application through links to the hmrc website.
Managing Personal Details, Messages and Security
The hmrc app is also a secure mailbox and profile hub for your HMRC records.
The hmrc app allows users to update their personal details easily - including address, name changes, contact phone numbers and email addresses. Keeping these accurate helps ensure that tax codes, benefit payments and pension forecasts use the right data.
The in-app "messages" area lets you receive key messages that would otherwise arrive as paper letters. These include tax code changes, payment reminders and confirmation of claims. The navigation bar means users can quickly find messages, tax and benefits queries, and account information. The hmrc app allows users to opt for paperless notifications, reducing post and helping you stay organised.
Enable in-app or device notifications so you are alerted when HMRC sends key messages. This reduces the chance of missing deadlines.
Log out when finished, keep your device's operating system up to date, and never share your PIN. These simple steps significantly reduce security risks.
Accessibility, Languages and Getting Help
HMRC aims to make the app usable by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities. The app works with built-in device accessibility settings such as screen readers, larger text, high contrast modes and voice control - supporting a range of assistive technologies.
The hmrc app is available in English and Welsh. Users can switch languages in the app or by changing their phone settings language preferences. The latest release in 2025 improved Welsh language support and added new icons to the navigation bar, with icons added to make common tasks clearer.
If the app is not working, check for updates in your app store, restart the phone, and if needed, contact HMRC support. The in-app help page and digital assistant can resolve many tax and benefits queries without needing to call. Those who cannot use the app can still manage their affairs via the hmrc website, telephone helplines and, in some cases, by post.
The hmrc app is regularly updated with new features. HMRC's digital services continue to evolve, and each update aims to make the app works more smoothly across devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HMRC App Safe to Use for Tax and Savings?
The hmrc app is developed and maintained by HM Revenue & Customs and uses encrypted connections similar to online banking. Security relies on government gateway credentials, optional two-step verification, and device-level protections such as a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition.
Only download the app from official stores - the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Avoid entering HMRC details on websites or apps reached via suspicious links. Data is encrypted in transit, and the app does not store sensitive financial information locally on your device.
Can I Run More Than One HMRC Account on the Same Phone?
The app is designed for one user at a time, but multiple people can sign in on the same device as long as they log out fully between sessions. For privacy, each adult should ideally use their own mobile device and keep their government gateway user id and password secret.
Saving login details in the app - such as biometric access - should only be done on a personal device, never on a shared or public phone.
Do I Still Need a Desktop or Laptop If I Use the HMRC App?
Most everyday tasks can be completed entirely in the hmrc app: checking income tax, national insurance, child benefit, simple assessment queries and help to save. The hmrc app makes managing your tax affairs straightforward for the vast majority of users.
However, some complex self assessment tax return filings or business-related services such as VAT may still be easier or only possible via the full hmrc website on a computer. Information seen in the app mirrors your online personal tax account, so you can switch between devices as needed. For hmrc online download of detailed documents, a desktop browser may be more convenient.
What Should I Do If I Forget My Government Gateway Details?
Use the "problems signing in" link on the app's sign-in screen to reset a forgotten password or recover a user ID. Recovery usually involves confirming access to the registered email address and answering identity questions, and may sometimes require details from a passport, driving licence or payslip.
Keep recovery information secure and up to date to avoid delays in regaining access.
Can I Use the HMRC App If I Live Abroad?
Many UK taxpayers living overseas can still use the hmrc app, provided they can download it from their app store and have a working government gateway account. Features such as state pension forecast and national insurance record can still be viewed, but certain services may be limited depending on residency status.
Check HMRC guidance on working abroad or retiring overseas if you plan to rely on the app while living outside the UK. Banking arrangements for receiving a tax refund or making payments may also need attention if your bank account is not UK-based.
Join millions of people who already use the hmrc app today to manage their tax, benefits and pension. Whether you want to check your tax code, view your state pension forecast, or quickly claim child benefit, the app offers a quick and easy way to stay on top of your finances. Download the hmrc app today - it takes just minutes to set up, and it could save you hours of phone calls and paperwork.
