If you run a limited company in the UK, your company UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) is one of the most important identifiers you’ll use with HMRC. You’ll need it for things like Corporation Tax returns, communicating with HMRC, and managing your tax records.

If you’ve landed on this article, you’re probably trying to find it quickly, so let’s start there.

What’s a company UTR number and why does it matter?

A company UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number is a 10-digit number that HMRC will issue for you when you first register your limited company. They’ll usually send it within 14 days of your registration with Companies House.  

Where to find your company UTR?

If you’re trying to find your company UTR number, you can usually locate it in one of the following places:

• Your HMRC Corporation Tax welcome letter.
• Your HMRC Business Tax Account online.
• Your accountant, if they manage your company tax records.

If you still can’t find it, you can request a reminder from HMRC. We’ll cover where and how later in this article. 

What does a company UTR number look like?

A company UTR is a 10-digit number that’s issued by HMRC. It contains only numbers, and doesn’t have any letters or symbols. 

Examples of how it might look: 

• 1234567890
• 7776761112
• 1231231238

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What’s the difference between a personal and company UTR number?

Your company UTR is not the same as your personal UTR number (which you may have if you’re self-employed or file a Self Assessment tax return). Your company UTR relates specifically to your limited company’s tax obligations, not your personal income.

A company UTR is also not to be confused with your Company Registration Number (CRN), which will be issued to you by Companies House when you register your limited company. While your CRN confirms your company’s legal existence and is needed for company records and legal filings, your company UTR is assigned by HMRC and is all about handling your taxes.

When do you need your company UTR number?

You’ll need your company UTR whenever you’re doing anything tax related, like when you’re:

• Filing your company’s Corporation Tax return: HMRC will request your UTR when you submit your CT600 form.
• Paying Corporation Tax: If your company owes Corporation Tax, you’ll need your UTR when making payments to HMRC. However, please note it’s the 17-character Corporation Tax payment reference number you’ll need to list as a payment reference number.
• Communicating with HMRC: Whether you’re calling HMRC with a tax query or setting up a Government Gateway account, your UTR is your identifier.
• Registering for other taxes: If your company needs to register for VAT or PAYE, you’ll need to provide your UTR as part of the process.

What to do if you’ve lost your company UTR:

If you’re struggling to find where your company UTR number is, follow these steps:

1. Any correspondence from HMRC 

HMRC will send your company UTR by post when your company is registered for Corporation Tax.

Look for:

• Your Corporation Tax “welcome letter”.
• Any Corporation Tax reminders.
• HMRC payment or filing notices.

Your UTR is usually shown clearly near the top of the letter.

2. Your online HMRC account

If you’ve registered your company for HMRC online services, you can find your UTR by logging into your Business Tax Account.

Go to:

• Corporation Tax section.
• Account details or company overview.

Your company UTR should be displayed within your tax information. You may also find it in the HMRC mobile app if you use it.

3. Your accountant or tax advisor

If you use a Crunch accountant to manage your company’s finances, they will absolutely have a record of your company UTR number. If you can’t find it yourself, it’s worth asking them.

4. Request a reminder from HMRC

You can either call HMRC’s Corporation Tax helpline at 0300 200 3410 and provide them with your company name, company registration number (CRN) and registered office address, or you can request a company UTR reminder online via HMRC’s ‘Find a lost UTR’ service. 

HMRC will then send a letter with your company UTR number to your company’s registered office. HMRC states that this will take around 15 working days for UTR copies to be sent out. 

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Can you get a new company UTR number?

Nope, your company UTR number is yours for life! HMRC assigns one UTR number per company, and it remains the same for the lifetime of your business. 

If you ever dissolve your company and later start a new one, your new company will be assigned a different UTR.

‍Is your company UTR number confidential?

Yes, your company UTR number is sensitive information, so you should always keep it secure. Bad actors can use UTRs for tax-related scams, so don’t ever share your company UTR number publicly. You should only give it out to trusted parties like HMRC, your accountant or registered tax services.
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The bottom line

Your company UTR number is a key part of your business’ tax identity, so it’s important to keep it safe and always have it to hand. Whenever you’re filing tax returns, communicating with HMRC or registering for other tax services, you’ll need to know where to find your company UTR number. You can’t stay on top of your taxes without it!

If you need help managing your limited company’s tax obligations, working with an accountant or tax professional like one of our friendly team at Crunch can make your life a whole lot easier. Our team can handle all of the financial back-office for you, so you can focus on what matters most - running your business. 

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