Annual tax summary
The HMRC Self Assessment team are sending email alerts to some customers to say that their annual tax summary is available to view. The emails have the title ‘Your Annual Tax Summary is ready’.
The emails also explain what is in the annual summary. These emails will never ask you to give your personal or financial information.
Businesses selling goods through online marketplaces in the UK
HMRC is contacting businesses who sell goods to customers in the UK through online marketplaces. The emails refer to VAT obligations in the UK. The first email will explain why HMRC is contacting them and ask them to get in touch.
Economic crime supervision survey
Between 1 July 2021 and 30 September 2021, HMRC will email money service business principals.
You’ll only get an email if you’re registered for economic crime supervision. This is the new name for money laundering supervision. The email will invite you to take part in a survey.
The survey is to help HMRC understand the level of training, skills and education in this sector. The email will include:
- a link to an online survey
- a reference to this page so that you can check that the email is genuine
- an email address for economic crime supervision if you have any concerns
Taking part in this research is voluntary. All your answers will be confidential. The email will not ask for any personal or financial information.
Employer bulletins
HMRC sends informational bulletins several times a year to employers who have registered to receive them. These emails never ask you to provide personal or financial information.
Emails issued by HMRC may have the title ‘Important information for employers’.
The emails include links to HMRC pages on the GOV.UK website, including advice about online security.
Help and support
HMRC sends emails to customers to offer help and support. The emails will sometimes include links to online digital products such as webinars, HMRC’s YouTube videos or online guides.
These emails will never ask you to provide personal or financial information.
Helping to improve the GOV.UK website
Customers who sign up to help improve GOV.UK to make government services better will receive emails from HMRC.
The first email will include a link which you should follow to complete the signing up process.
Once you have signed up, a second email will be sent that includes a link to a research blog. You may then receive other emails that include links to short surveys about research.
The emails will not ask for any personal or financial information. They will also contain a link to unsubscribe from future emails.
Import and export data trade statistics
HMRC’s Trade Statistics Unit regularly sends emails to business customers about import and export statistical data, and the related services accessed from HMRC’s trade statistics website.
These include:
- business alerts
- service updates
- deadline reminders
- data quality reviews
- survey requests
These messages may include links to further information, educational or survey content on HMRC’s trade statistics website.
They will not ask for any personal, payment or tax related information.
Invitation to take part in research
If you have signed up to help make government services better, HMRC will email you to invite you to take part in research studies to improve HMRC’s online services.
The email will be headed ‘Invitation to take part in research’. You’ll only receive it if you if meet the criteria for the research study.
The email may include:
- a link to take part in an online study
- details about a face to face event
The email will contain a:
- reference to this page so you can check that the email is genuine
- phone number to contact the HMRC Research Team if you have any concerns
Making Tax Digital for VAT
HMRC will send an email to customers who have signed up for Making Tax Digital for VAT using the sign up for Making Tax Digital page.
HMRC will confirm you can submit VAT Returns within 72 hours using the email address you gave. The email will not ask you for any financial information.
Paying into your Help to Save account
HMRC may contact some customers by email who have opened Help to Save accounts. The emails will remind customers who have not paid any money into their account about the benefits of using this service.
These emails will not ask for any personal or financial information.
Customers who contact HMRC helplines will be asked if they wish to sign up to a Personal Tax Account. Customers who do not wish to sign up by telephone will be offered more information by email.
If you agree to provide an email address, you’ll be sent some information by email while you’re on the telephone. The email gives background information about the benefits of signing up to a Personal Tax Account, and how to sign up.
The email will not ask for any personal or financial information.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) – prepare for the fifth grant
In July 2021, HMRC will email customers who previously claimed a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant and may be eligible for the fifth grant.
The email will explain how to:
- prepare to make your claim
- report SEISS on your Self Assessment tax returns
- access the latest guidance on the GOV.UK website
The email will include a:
- timeline of when you’ll receive important future messages
- scam warning
It will not ask for any personal information or include links.
Tax-Free Childcare account
From 1 June 2021 to 31 July 2021, HMRC will carry out research into how customers are using their Tax-Free Childcare account.
Customers with an account may receive an email asking them to to take part in a short survey. This will ask about future childcare use and Tax-free Childcare.
The research is to help HMRC understand how best to support working families with their childcare costs.
The email will contain contact details for customers wanting to find out more about the research. It will not ask for any personal or financial information.
Tax-free Childcare service
HMRC’s Tax-free Childcare service regularly send emails to advise parents that they could be missing out on government contributions towards childcare costs from the UK Government.
VAT debts reminders
HMRC may send an email to customers who are overdue with VAT payments. HMRC will use email addresses that customers have already provided and will recommend that customers pay online to avoid further action. These emails will never ask you to provide personal or financial information.
VAT EU refund service failed validation
Customers that use the VAT EU refunds service may receive an email if their claim has failed validation. The email will provide details explaining why the claim has failed.
The emails will not ask for any personal or financial information.
VAT registration
HMRC will send an email to customers who have registered for VAT using HMRC online services. HMRC will use the email address customers have provided to advise that they need to log into their online tax account in order to view a message in the secure messaging area.
These emails will never ask you to provide personal or financial information.
VAT registration and payment feedback from overseas customers
From 2 August 2021 to 30 September 2021, HMRC will be emailing some customers based outside the UK to invite them to take part in research.
You’ll only get an email if you’ve registered for UK VAT.
This research is to understand the experiences of overseas customers when registering for, and paying, VAT.
The email will contain contact details for customers wanting to find out more about the research. It will not ask for any personal or financial information.
VAT Returns reminder
HMRC will send an email to customers to remind them when their VAT Return is due if they’ve registered to receive email reminders. The emails have the title ‘Reminder to file your VAT return’ and contain links to a further information page and a link to the sign in page on the GOV.UK website.
These emails will never ask you to provide personal or financial information.
Further information
You can also check emails listed in HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method.
