The Personal Tax Account was introduced at the end of December 2015 and was designed for the purpose of helping “revolutionize the way customers interact with HMRC” and helping individuals to manage and review their tax obligations online. It is accessible online through the government portal. It is a web-based service that lets people be able to access their tax records.
As per HMRC “Your Personal Tax Account is a secure and safe location to review, change and manage your information with HMRC online at any time. It consolidates all of your tax details in one location. If you require changes to the tax that you pay or you have questions about the date of the coming Tax, Your Personal Tax Account can assist. It gives you an easier and faster method to notify you at any time, instead of having to call or write.
How to Set up and Access Your Personal Tax Account?
To begin, you’ll be required to log in to your government gateway accounts. The online form can be completed in a matter of minutes since it only involves the setting up of security protocols and entering your personal information. However, the time it takes you to get the information you require depends on how well-organized your paperwork is initially.
Things to look for prior to starting:
- The National Insurance Number (this is located on your payslip)
- Recent payslip
- Recent P60 or UK passport (must be up-to-date)
- Your landline or mobile number
- The email address you wish to add to the account.
Now that you’ve got everything in place, visit Government Gateway and select either the individual, the organization (if you represent a company) or the agent (if you represent someone else’s financial affairs for the public) column to begin with the process of registration.
This can be done in Four Steps:
1). Enter your name as well as your email address, and then enter an individual password. The program will generate the Government Gateway User ID.
2). For logging in the very first time, you’ll require the User ID, password, and a unique 6-digit code. At this point, you need to say which phone number you want this code to be sent to, landline or mobile. The majority of people believe that sending a text to mobile is the easiest, however, it’s your choice. When you’ve received the code, enter it into the field to get your identity verified.
3). Answer security-related questions based on the information you have on your passport, P60, and payslips.
4). You will have your identity confirmed through your answers, and after that, you’ll be able to access everything on your personal tax account.
Note: Next time, you’ll only require your username and password to log in to your account.
If you are having issues with the procedure, you can get in touch with a Pro Tax Accountant to get some assistance.
What Can You Use Your Personal Tax Account For?
No matter if you’re employed, self-employed, or have income via other avenues (eg renting a home) You are able to use the Personal Tax Account for:
- Fill in, mail, and view Your tax return.
- To Locate your National Insurance number.
- Request for tax refunds.
- To Keep track of tax forms you’ve filed online.
- Tell HMRC whether you’ve changed your address or name.
- To Find out or modify your tax code for income Tax tax code.
- To Find out the amount you earned from work in the last five years.
- To get your State Pension forecast.
- To renew, monitor, and monitor your Tax Credits.
- To check or update your Marriage Allowance.
- To Change your tax report.
- To know about any benefits you have.
Security and Safety
You are the sole person who has access to your account using your personal username and password. The service is available only to those who complete the registration process.
HMRC Implements Firewall Protection
HMRC takes security seriously and implements firewall protection as the standard across all its systems. This is the best way to protect your data since it blocks any attempts to gain access that is not authorized. The information you provide to HMRC online is secured and your account will only be viewed by the person who owns it.
Display the Last Date and the Time You Signed in to Your Account
You must be aware of your online security. Don’t divulge your password or user ID or put it in a safe location. Another of safety feature in it is that they display the date and the time you signed in to your personal tax account. It is important to verify this, and if things don’t look right, then you must contact HMRC immediately via their website.
Automatic Logout
Another security feature that is already included is an automatic logout in the event that your account isn’t active for more than 15 minutes. This is extremely useful if you forget to log out.
Note: HMRC does not ask for your personal or financial information via text, phone or email.
How to Share Information with Your Accountant?
Your account is an excellent way to keep track of your tax data. You can access it whenever your tax accountant needs information to fill out an income tax return or file a tax rebate claim.
Capture a Screenshot
Instead of writing out the entire information You could simply capture a screenshot of the page and include it in your email. Your tax accountant will always require your income tax information when he is handling your tax returns.
Print out the Appropriate Document
Alternatively, you could opt for a more traditional approach and print out the appropriate document from your account. You can then mail it to your accountant through Mail. Whatever way you decide to share your information, the Personal Tax Account can be an excellent tool to compile everything related to your tax affairs.