How to Recover Your HMRC Self Assessment Sign-In [Guide]

You can recover your HMRC Self Assessment sign-in by resetting your password, retrieving your Government Gateway user ID, or restoring access to two-step verification (2SV) through HMRC's online recovery tools.

Whatever your reason for losing your HMRC sign-in, it's frustrating – especially when a tax deadline is looming.

Fortunately, HMRC has recovery options for all of these scenarios, and most of them can be sorted online in a few minutes. This guide walks you through each Self Assessment sign-in recovery process, step by step.

Key points

• You can recover your HMRC sign-in quickly in most cases 🔑
  Whether you've forgotten your password/user ID or lost access to two-step verification, HMRC offers online recovery options that usually take just a few minutes to complete.
• Each login issue has a specific recovery path 🛠️
  You can retrieve your user ID via email, reset your password through a secure link, and fix two-step verification using backup codes or by contacting HMRC if needed.
• Some issues may take longer if manual checks are required ⏳
  If you've lost access to your email, phone, or backup codes, you may need to call HMRC and wait a few days while they verify your identity and restore access.
• Using ANNA removes the need to deal with HMRC logins regularly 🚀
  Instead of relying on your login details, ANNA handles filings, tracks your taxes in real time, and keeps you compliant automatically, so you avoid these issues altogether.

What you need to sign in to your Self Assessment account

Before you try to recover your Self Assessment account, it helps to know exactly what HMRC's sign-in system requires. To access your account, you'll need:

• Government Gateway user ID: A 12-digit number HMRC assigned when you registered
• Password: The password you set for your Government Gateway account
• Two-step verification: A code sent to your phone or an authenticator app
• UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference): A 10-digit number specific to your tax record

How to recover your Self Assessment sign-in

Follow the steps to regain access to each of these assets:

How to recover your Government Gateway user ID

Your Government Gateway user ID is the 12-digit number HMRC gave you when you first registered online. If you can't find it, here's how to get it back:

• Step 1: Go to HMRC's online service page and click ‘Sign in’
• Step 2: On the sign-in page, select ‘I've forgotten my user ID’
• Step 3: HMRC will ask you to verify your identity. You'll need either your National Insurance number or your UTR number
• Step 4: HMRC will send your user ID to the email address registered on your account

If you no longer have access to your registered email address, you'll need to contact HMRC directly on 0300 200 3600 (Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm).

How to reset your Government Gateway password

This is usually the quickest situation to fix:

• Step 1: Visit the HMRC sign-in page and click ‘I've forgotten my password’
• Step 2: Enter your Government Gateway user ID (the 12-digit number)
• Step 3: HMRC will send a reset link to your registered email address, and you need to click the link within the time limit shown
• Step 4: Choose a new password and confirm it

⚠️ Worth knowing

HMRC passwords must be between 8 and 12 characters and can't include spaces. If your new password isn't being accepted, that's the most common reason why.

How to fix two-step verification problems

Two-step verification (sometimes called two-factor authentication) is an extra layer of security HMRC added to Government Gateway accounts.

Here's a breakdown of the most common two-step verification problems and how to solve them:

Depending on whether you have your backup codes, there are two options:

• If you have backup codes: HMRC gave you these when you first set up two-step verification. If you saved them, use one on the sign-in page to bypass the code request.
• If you don't have backup codes: Call HMRC's online services helpline on 0300 200 3600. They can reset your two-step verification, though be prepared – this can take a few days to process, and they'll want to verify your identity first.

How to find or recover your UTR number

Your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) is the 10-digit number that appears on pretty much all correspondence from HMRC – letters, notices, and emails. You'll often need it when contacting HMRC or verifying your identity during a recovery.

Where to look first:

• Any letter or notice from HMRC (it's usually near the top)
• Your original Self Assessment registration confirmation
• A previous tax return
• Your HMRC online account – once signed in, it's shown under your personal details

If you can't find it: Call HMRC on 0300 200 3310 (the Self Assessment helpline). They can confirm your UTR once they've verified your identity.

⚠️ Worth knowing

HMRC will never send your UTR by email for security reasons. If you receive an email claiming to contain your UTR, it's most likely a scam.

What if you've never registered for Self Assessment?

If you're trying to sign in but getting an error that says your details aren't recognised, it's possible you haven't actually registered for Self Assessment yet.

Self Assessment registration is a separate step, and you'll need to register if any of the following apply to you:

• You're self employed and earn more than £1,000 a year
• You're a company director
• You earn rental income
• You have untaxed income from savings, investments, or abroad
• Your income is over £100,000

To register, go to the official Self Assessment registration page. HMRC will send your UTR by post within 10 working days (21 days if you're abroad).

💡 Did you know?

The deadline to register for Self Assessment for a given tax year is 5 October following the end of that year. If you miss it, you may face a penalty.

If you register with ANNA now, you'll get your 2025/26 Self Assessment filed for free. Even if you've already registered elsewhere, ANNA will refund the filing fee when you switch.

HMRC sign-in recovery: Quick-reference summary

Not sure which situation applies to you? Use this table to find the fastest way to solve your problem:

If online recovery isn't working for you, here's where to call:

⚠️ Worth knowing

Lines are busiest close to the 31 January filing deadline. If you can, call earlier in the morning and earlier in the week. Monday and Tuesday mornings tend to be quicker than Thursday afternoons in January.

How ANNA makes HMRC logins one less thing to worry about

With ANNA, you don't need to constantly access your HMRC account to stay on top of your taxes. Everything runs in the background, so you can stay compliant without the admin stress.

Here's what you get:

• Automated Self Assessment filing: ANNA submits directly to HMRC, so you don't have to deal with the Government Gateway.
• Real-time tax estimates: See what you owe as you earn, so deadlines never catch you off guard.
• Smart Pots: Set money aside automatically for tax, VAT, or expenses as you get paid.
• Invoicing and expense tracking: Keep everything in one place, no spreadsheets or manual logs required.
• Built-in UK business account: Manage payments, income, and tax from a single app.
• HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital: Sit back and let ANNA do the work – there are no new systems to learn, and ANNA is already compliant for MTD.
• 24/7 support: Get help when you need it, not just during office hours.

If you never want to worry about your HMRC sign-in again, register with ANNA today and get your admin handled automatically.