Since 2023, the HMRC app has been opened over 80 million times and is constantly growing in popularity.
The app is helpful in lots of ways and is very easy to use.
Once you have signed in for the first time, using your Government Gateway credentials, you can access information and services from HMRC using three different ways:
Let’s explore what benefits the app offers and why you should use it.
This includes your Self-Assessment reference number, your National Insurance number (which can be stored in your digital wallet), and your employment income for the current and five previous tax years.
Obtaining your information will help you to complete your digital tax returns easily and on time, leaving opportunities to fix mistakes if these are spotted before the tax return deadline.
Using the app will help you to see how much Self-Assessment tax you owe, as well as making payments using open banking, claiming and refund and calculating your estimated take-home pay.
This is important to be aware of due to your tax returns now being made online therefore you need to know exactly what you need to pay and when you need to pay it to ensure you remain inline with current legislation.
If you have opted to communicate with HMRC digitally, you will be able to access lots of letters and messages from HMRC within the app.
You can use the app to check the progression of any forms you have submitted.
Additionally, you have the option to update your details with HMRC – this can include changing your name and your address and is useful to know in case your tax obligations change, or you need to ensure they mirror your current situation.
The HMRC app lets you check your National Insurance (NI) history which will help you to identify any possible gaps and ensure compliance.
You can also view your State Pension forecast which allows you to make sure your future is as financially beneficial as possible.
This new service allows you to claim and report changes to your child benefit, which can include changing your bank details if required and means you still receive the same benefits.
By using the app, you will help HMRC to improve any areas of difficulty should they need it.
It is important your digital services are beneficial and efficient, as this will help you to ensure you remain compliant and make the relevant payments with up-to-date information.
The app, as well as the act of Making Tax Digital, helps to reduce the tax gap by requiring businesses and individuals to:
Overall, this helps to bring the tax system closer to real-time.
MTD will make it easier for individuals and business to get their tax right whilst contributing to wider productivity gains for businesses by encouraging digitisation.
Customers can also integrate their tax management with a range of business processes through software.
MTD helps to reduce the amount of tax lost to avoidable errors which can be due to the:
The app is easier to navigate than the online tax account but, if you are struggling, it is always worth seeking the advice of an expert accountant.
To learn more about the HMRC app, and how it can benefit you as you navigate your way through the digitisation of the UK tax system, please contact a member of our expert team today.
