Glossary · UK
What is HMRC Personal Tax Account?
A free online service provided by HMRC at gov.uk/personal-tax-account that allows UK individuals to view and manage their personal tax affairs, including tax codes, National Insurance records, and Self Assessment.
Full Definition
The HMRC Personal Tax Account (PTA) is a digital self-service platform available to all UK individuals, accessed via the GOV.UK website. It was introduced from 2016 as part of HMRC's Making Tax Digital initiative and aims to allow taxpayers to handle routine interactions with HMRC without needing to phone or write. Individuals can sign in using either their Government Gateway user ID and password or the newer GOV.UK One Login system. The main functions available through the PTA include: checking and querying the current PAYE tax code; viewing a personal tax calculation and checking whether a refund is due; managing Self Assessment registration, filing, and payments; viewing the National Insurance contribution record and checking the State Pension forecast (linked to the Check Your State Pension service); claiming Marriage Allowance; managing Gift Aid donations; updating personal details such as address; and viewing employment income and tax deducted as reported by employers. Some services previously requiring a paper form or phone call -- such as claiming a tax refund or updating a tax code -- can now be done entirely online. HMRC also offers a mobile app (the HMRC app, available on iOS and Android) that provides a subset of PTA features, including viewing tax codes, checking National Insurance contributions, and managing Self Assessment. The app uses biometric login (Face ID or fingerprint) once set up. Users who do not yet have a Government Gateway account can register online; verification typically requires a UK passport or driving licence and access to a mobile number. The PTA is separate from the Business Tax Account used by sole traders, partnerships, and companies to manage VAT, PAYE, and corporation tax.