How Do I Find My Company's UTR?

Your company UTR is a 10-digit tax reference from HMRC. For a limited company, HMRC posts it to your registered office address after you incorporate. If it's gone missing, you can find it in your HMRC online account or old tax paperwork, or ask HMRC to send it again.

Sole traders have a different UTR, linked to Self Assessment, and you find it in different places. This guide covers both.

What Is a UTR, and What Does It Look Like?

A UTR is a 10-digit number HMRC uses to identify you or your company for tax. It's sometimes called a "tax reference", and the UK has no single tax identification number, as our guide to the UK Tax Identification Number explains. An example looks like 1234567890, though that's made up.

Limited companies have a company UTR for Corporation Tax. Individuals, including sole traders and company directors who file a Self Assessment return, have a separate personal UTR.

Where Do I Find My Company UTR as a Limited Company?

Start with the letter HMRC posted to your registered office address. If that's not to hand, try your HMRC online account or old tax paperwork.

Check the Letter From HMRC

HMRC posts your company UTR after your company has been incorporated. The letter is addressed to the company at its registered office address. If you use Companies MadeSimple's address as your registered office, we receive the letter and forward a scan of it to you, so check your emails and account first. If your registered office is another business address or a mail-forwarding service, check there.

Check Your HMRC Online Account

If you've set up Corporation Tax services online, sign in to your HMRC business tax account with your Government Gateway details. Look through the Corporation Tax section and any messages or letters stored there. Your UTR often appears on HMRC correspondence.

Check Old Paperwork

Your UTR is printed on most Corporation Tax documents. Look for:

• CT603. The notice HMRC sends asking you to file a Company Tax Return.
• CT600. A copy of a Company Tax Return you've already filed.
• Other HMRC letters. Payment reminders and other Corporation Tax correspondence.

I Only Just Formed My Company. When Will My UTR Arrive?

HMRC posts your UTR to your registered office address after incorporation, so give it a little time before you chase. If it hasn't arrived once 15 working days have passed after registering your company, HMRC lets you request it online.

If you use our registered office address service, HMRC's letter comes to us. We scan it, email it to you, and keep the scan in your Company Inbox. You can ask for the paper original by replying to our email.

If you use your own address, watch your post and check that the address on the register is correct. A letter sent to an old address is a common reason a UTR goes missing.

Waiting on the number doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It's normal for a new company to wait for this letter.

Can I Find My Company UTR on Companies House?

No. Companies House doesn't issue or publish company UTRs. It's a tax reference, and HMRC holds it.

You can look up your company on Companies House for details like your registered office address and Company Registration Number. That's useful for chasing HMRC's letter, but it won't show your UTR.

What's the Difference Between a CRN and a UTR?

A CRN identifies your company on the public register, and a UTR identifies it to HMRC for tax. They come from different organisations and are used for different things.

Mixing them up is common, especially when a form just asks for "your company number".

Where Do I Find My UTR if I'm a Sole Trader?

If you submit Self Assessment returns, check your HMRC personal tax account or the HMRC app first. Your UTR is also on previous Self Assessment returns and HMRC documents like notices to file and payment reminders.

You get a personal UTR by registering for Self Assessment, and HMRC posts it to you. It's separate from your National Insurance number. If you later set up a limited company, the company gets its own UTR, which doesn't replace your personal one.

Can I Request a New UTR if I Can't Find Mine?

You can't get a different number, but you can ask HMRC to send you the one you already have. Use the "find your UTR" service on GOV.UK, or contact HMRC if you can't find it online or in your documents.

HMRC usually posts the number to the address it holds on record rather than giving it out over the phone. That's why your registered office address needs to be up to date. If you've moved, update it with Companies House first, then ask HMRC to resend.

For a bit more background on why the UTR matters, see our support guide on the Unique Tax Reference number.

FAQs

How do I find my company UTR number?

Check the letter HMRC posted to your registered office address, your HMRC online account, or old CT603 and CT600 paperwork. If you still can't find it, ask HMRC to post it again.

How long does it take to get a company UTR?

HMRC posts it to your registered office address after incorporation. If it hasn't arrived once 15 working days have passed after registering, you can request it online.

Can I find my company UTR on Companies House?

No. Companies House doesn't hold or publish UTRs. Your UTR comes from HMRC.

Is my UTR the same as my company registration number?

No. The CRN comes from Companies House and identifies your company on the register. The UTR comes from HMRC and is a 10-digit tax reference.

Does my company have a different UTR from my personal one?

Yes. A limited company has its own UTR for Corporation Tax. Your personal UTR, if you have one for Self Assessment, stays separate.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. HMRC processes can change, so please check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified professional before making decisions.