What is a UTR and how do I get one for freelancing?
A UTR is a unique tax reference number for freelancers. Let's learn a bit about what a UTR is and how to get one.
FAQ
A UTR is a unique tax reference number. You'll get it from HMRC when you register for self-assessment.
UTR stands for Unique Taxpayer Reference.
It's a 10-digit number that HMRC uses to identify you for tax purposes.
Think of it as your personal tax ID. Once you have one, it stays with you for life.
If you're self-employed as a sole trader, you'll need a UTR to file a Self Assessment tax return. That's how you tell HMRC what you earned and pay the tax you owe.
If you're setting up a limited company, the company gets its own separate UTR. You may also have a personal one if you draw a salary or dividends and need to file a personal tax return.
You'll get your UTR as part of the processing of registering for Self Assessment with HMRC.
The simplest way is online via GOV.UK.
Once you've registered, HMRC will post your UTR to your home address. It usually arrives within 10 working days.
Bear in mind - because it can take a while to arrive, it's worth registering as soon as you have earned more than £1,000 in self-employed income, rather than waiting until you need to submit a tax return.
Once you have registered, your UTR appears on:
Keep it somewhere you can find it. You'll need it whenever you file a return, contact HMRC about your tax, or set up accounting software.
No. Registering for Self Assessment and getting a UTR is something you can do yourself, for free, directly through GOV.UK. An accountant can help you manage what comes after. But the registration itself is straightforward.
HMRC's guidance is that you should treat your UTR as confidential, and only share with trusted parties.
It's a little like your National Insurance number, you wouldn't just hand it out to anyone, but if it falls into the wrong hands, the risks are relatively low.
There are some instances where you might need to share it - for example, if you're working with an accountant, they may need it to file a tax return on your behalf.
We hear that some clients, and freelancing platforms ask for a UTR when onboarding you to validate you're a self-employed individual. Whilst those working in the construction industry are required to do so, more broadly clients do not need this information to engage you.
You don't need to include your UTR on invoices. There's no legal requirement to do so. Your bank details, your name, and your business address are the things that actually need to be there. If a client specifically asks for it on an invoice, it's worth asking why.
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