Check genuine HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method

Sometimes HMRC uses more than one way to get in touch. For example, we may contact you by letter first before following up with an email, call or text message. This is because:

• it can provide an extra level of security
• it can help prepare customers for the follow up contact
• these are the contact details HMRC has for you

All the HMRC contacts listed on this page can use more than one communication method. They are in alphabetical order.

Cycle to Work Scheme

HMRC will work with the independent research agency Ipsos Mori to carry out research. The research aims to understand how the Cycle to Work Scheme is being used and why people do or do not use the scheme.

You may receive a letter, email or a phone call from Ipsos to tell you about the research and invite you to take part. They may recruit you directly if you have previously registered to take part in research with Ipsos Mori.

Taking part in this research is voluntary and if you do so, all responses and information given will be:

• confidential
• used for research purposes only

Employers’ experiences of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

Research agency Ipsos are carrying out research on behalf of HMRC to understand the impact of the CJRS.

You may receive a letter or email inviting you to take part in this research. This will be followed by a phone call to conduct a survey. Employers may receive a letter or email even if they did not submit a claim through CJRS.

Taking part is voluntary but if you do so, your answers and any information given will be:

• confidential
• used for research purposes only

If you need further information, contact details for both Ipsos and HMRC will be on the letter or email.

Government analysis schools outreach programme

The Government Social Research and Government Economic Service are running an outreach programme. The programme aims to promote a career in government analysis to school pupils aged 14 to 18.

It will inform students and schools about:

• career opportunities within the Civil Service

• the role of analysis in government

Our aim is to:

• promote and encourage a diverse and inclusive Civil Service

• improve awareness of the opportunities the Civil Service offers

HMRC may contact you by email, letter or telephone about setting up a session with your school.

To check that this contact is genuine you should call 03000 557 755 (find out about call charges).

HMRC text numbers

HMRC is using a new number to send text messages to customers. This may be different to one you have received a text from in the past.

HMRC will not ask for any personal or financial details in a text message.

Logging into your HMRC tax account with multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication is an extra security feature for customers which replaces 2-step verification. It helps prevent someone else from accessing a customer’s digital account, even if they know the user ID and password. HMRC will send an access code by text message or voice call to your chosen mobile phone or landline number to activate the multi-factor authorisation. You will need this code to complete the access.

These text messages and voice calls will never ask you to give personal or financial information.

If you have activated multi-factor authentication you’ll only be able to access the account using the:

• Government Gateway user ID and password
• mobile or landline device which you have registered

National Minimum Wage and employment

HMRC may sometimes contact employees to discuss details of their current or previous employment.

If we call you, we’ll:

• tell you our enquiry is about the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
• ask you basic questions about your current work or previous employment experiences
• complete some standard security questions

We’ll never ask for personal financial information such as bank details without writing to you first.

You can ask us not to tell your current or previous employer about the call.

HMRC will also contact employers in relation to National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage enquiries.

To check that this contact is genuine you should:

• have a copy of the letter or email you’ve received from National Minimum Wage to hand
• tell us the details of the person who called you from National Minimum Wage
• call 03000 557 755 (find out about call charges)

If you have received a letter, email, text or phone call from another HMRC office you can call the Income Tax general enquiry helpline to check this contact is genuine.

National Minimum Wage common errors

HMRC may contact employers or third parties to share information on common errors with the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. The email will provide links to further information and support.

HMRC may contact employees by letter to provide information on common errors to look out for in their pay.

The letter will explain how to make a National Minimum Wage complaint and contain links to further information and support.

To check this contact is genuine you should:

• have a copy of the letter or email you’ve received about National Minimum Wage to hand
• telephone 03000 557 755 (find out about call charges)

Overseas businesses that sell digital services to UK consumers

HMRC is contacting overseas businesses who sell digital services to UK consumers about their UK VAT obligations by email and letter.

This communication will explain why we are contacting them, and ask them to contact us. We will not ask for any personal, business or financial information.

Overseas businesses that sell goods on online marketplaces to UK consumers

HMRC is contacting customers who are based overseas and trading on online marketplaces to issue VAT assessments.

We will send:

• a formal notice of assessments by letter

• an email to inform you this letter has been sent

The email will:

• not request any personal, business or financial information

• inform customers to pay their assessment by visiting www.gov.uk and searching “pay your VAT bill”

• contain a link to this webpage, so customers can see that HMRC is using email for this purpose

Research into understanding tax administration for businesses

HMRC will be working with an independent research agency called IFF Research Limited.

They will carry out research to understand the actions businesses and tax agents must complete when fulfilling their tax obligations.

You may receive a letter or phone call from IFF research on behalf of HMRC inviting you to take part in an interview.

Taking part is voluntary but we encourage you to do so. This will help us to understand the processes, costs and time involved in complying with tax obligations.

If you do take part, your answers and any information you give will be:

• anonymous
• confidential
• used for research purposes only

Research on Capital Allowances

HMRC is working with research agency IFF to carry out voluntary research. This research will help us to understand:

• how capital allowances are used
• how their implementation has effected businesses
• what effect they have had on the wider economy

You may be contacted by IFF to take part in this research. Taking part is voluntary and if you do so, your answers and any information given will be:

• confidential
• anonymous
• used for research purposes only

Research on the Profit Diversion Compliance Facility and the Diverted Profits Investigation Approach

HMRC will be working with independent research agency IFF Research Limited. This research is to explore experiences of the:

• Profit Diversion Compliance Facility
• Diverted Profits Investigation approach

You may receive a letter or email from HMRC asking you to take part in this study. Taking part is voluntary but we encourage you to do so. This will help us improve services and customer experience.

If you do take part, your answers and any information you give will be:

• confidential
• used for research purposes only

We will not ask you for any financial information. For more information, contact details for the HMRC research team will be included in the letter or email.

Research to improve VAT services for small and micro businesses

HMRC is working with Ipsos to carry out voluntary research. This research is to understand your views and experiences of managing VAT and the ways we could support you.

By taking part in this research, you will help us to make sure that our services meet the needs of small and micro businesses.

Taking part is voluntary. If you do take part, your answers and any information you give will be:

• confidential
• anonymous
• used for research purposes only

Taking part in this research will not affect your tax affairs.

Statutory notices requesting information

HMRC’s Data Acquisition and Exchange regularly issues statutory notices to the holders of certain types of information, asking them to provide relevant details to HMRC. The holders of the information have a legal obligation to provide the data requested.

The notices requesting information can be sent by post or email.

Notices issued by email will contain a link to this webpage, so you can see that HMRC is using email for this purpose.

Tax relief evaluations

Independent agencies will carry out interviews, on behalf of HMRC, as part of a series of evaluations on a range of tax reliefs.

You may receive a letter or phone call from IFF Research, Ipsos MORI, Kantar Public, London Economics or Global Data Collection Company (GDCC) inviting you to take part in an interview.

Taking part is voluntary but we encourage you to do so. This will help HMRC to evaluate the effects of these tax reliefs.

If you do take part, your answers and any information you give will be:

• anonymous
• confidential
• used for evaluation purposes only

VAT register inactivity

HMRC is contacting customers who are believed to no longer need to hold a VAT registration number due to recent inactivity on their VAT account. You may receive a phone call or email, with the email referring to VAT register inactivity.

The phone calls or emails will ask you to confirm whether you still require to be VAT registered, and to provide some basic information on where you’re trading.

The calls or emails will not ask for personal or financial information.