Search HMRC letters
Spotting fake "HMRC" letters and texts
HMRC scams are extremely common. A real HMRC letter:
- Comes by post (not by email or text) for anything significant.
- Uses your full name and an HMRC reference / NI number you recognise.
- Never asks you to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or via a private bank transfer to a "personal" account.
- Never threatens immediate arrest, deportation, or asset seizure within 24 hours — those are scammer hallmarks.
- If a text or email claims to be HMRC, do not click any link. Sign in to your HMRC account separately and check the messages there.
Report suspicious HMRC contact: forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk; forward texts to 60599. Full guidance: gov.uk — report HMRC scams.
Frequently asked questions
The questions readers most commonly ask about this topic. Each answer is reviewed by the UK Tax Drag editorial team against current HMRC, FCA and MoneyHelper guidance.
▸ What is a P800 letter from HMRC?
A P800 is HMRC's tax calculation summary issued after the end of a tax year (typically June-October for the previous year). It tells you whether you paid the right amount of tax via PAYE. It will say either: you're owed a refund, you owe HMRC money, or it's balanced. P800s only apply to PAYE income, not Self Assessment. The refund route is usually to claim online via gov.uk.
▸ What is a "Simple Assessment" letter?
Simple Assessment is HMRC's alternative to Self Assessment for taxpayers with uncomplicated income — typically pensioners with state pension over the Personal Allowance, or people with one-off taxable events. HMRC calculates the tax owed and sends a bill (PA302 form) which must be paid by 31 January following the tax year. There's no return to file, but you can dispute the calculation within 60 days.
▸ What does it mean if HMRC writes about a "Determination"?
A Determination (typically letter SA315 or SA316) means HMRC has assessed your tax due based on what they know, because you haven't filed a return. The amount is usually high (HMRC errs on the side of charging more, knowing this forces engagement). To replace a Determination you must file the actual return within 3 years (or 12 months from the Determination date, whichever is later). After that, the Determination becomes final and unappealable.
▸ What if I get a compliance check notice from HMRC?
A compliance check (formerly "enquiry") is HMRC formally investigating one or more aspects of your tax. Standard processes apply: you have 30 days to respond to information requests, you have rights to appeal individual decisions, you can use an agent to handle communications. Don't ignore the letter — penalties for non-cooperation are significant. Free help: Tax Aid (low-income) or HMRC's own complaints process if you feel the check is unfair.
▸ What is a "Nudge Letter" and should I worry?
Nudge letters are HMRC's precursor to a full investigation — they're sent when third-party data (crypto exchange records, foreign bank info under CRS, gig economy platforms under DAC7) suggests you may have undeclared income. The letter typically says "we have information suggesting..." and gives 30 days to make a voluntary disclosure. Acting voluntarily reduces penalties substantially compared to waiting for HMRC to enquire formally.
▸ What does a PAYE coding notice (P2) mean?
A P2 explains how HMRC has calculated your tax code. It shows your Personal Allowance, then any deductions (untaxed income, taxable benefits, prior-year underpayment, etc.) that reduce it. The final number divided by 10, followed by a letter, becomes your tax code (e.g. £12,570 ÷ 10 = 1257L for the standard allowance). Always check the breakdown — errors are common, especially on benefits-in-kind for company car drivers.
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