HMRC’s New App Makes Tax Filing Easier: A 2025 Walkthrough

HMRC’s New App Makes Tax Filing Easier: A 2025 Walkthrough

A step-by-step guide to using HMRC’s refreshed app for Self Assessment, payments, and more.

Tax season used to mean digging out dusty papers and chasing deadlines.
Now, HMRC’s revamped mobile app puts your tax code, payments, and reminders in one place.
Follow along to see how filing your 2024/25 Self Assessment can be as easy as tapping your screen.

1. Quick Setup: From Download to Login

• Download from the App Store or Google Play (updated June 3, 2025).
  
  

• Authenticate with your Government Gateway ID, then set a 6-digit PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID for future logins.
  
  

• Link your accounts—Self Assessment, PAYE, Child Benefit, State Pension—all in one dashboard.
  
  

Curiosity gap: Did you know 78% of users complete setup within 3 minutes? No more paper forms or printer jams.

2. Dashboard Deep-Dive: Everything at a Glance

• Tax Code & NI: See your current tax code and National Insurance record (last 5 years).
  
  

• Self Assessment Overview: Check your UTR, outstanding balance, and due dates.
  
  

• Notifications: Get push alerts for upcoming payments and missing returns.
  
  

Simply swipe between cards to move from “What you owe” to “What you’ve paid” in seconds—no more logging into multiple portals.

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3. Filing & Payments: Self Assessment in Your Pocket

• Tap “Self Assessment”, then “View & pay” to see your current year bill.
  
  

• Choose bank transfer, debit card, or set up a Direct Debit—all securely handled in-app.
  
  

• Set reminders for instalments or final payments so you never miss the 31 January or 31 July deadlines.
  
  

Loss aversion nudge: Missing a deadline can mean up to £1,600 in penalties—avoid that by turning on reminders today.

Need to calculate VAT for your freelance or business income before paying?
Use tools like VATCalc.Onl to quickly add or remove UK VAT at 20% or 5%, making your Self Assessment entries more accurate.
This is especially useful for consultants, digital services, and eCommerce sellers managing variable rates.

4. Beyond Filing: Extras That Save Time

• Digital Assistant: Chat with “Ask HMRC” for instant answers on allowances, rates, or form queries.
  
  

• Go Paperless: Opt in to receive letters and statements electronically—cut the clutter and green your footprint.
  
  

• Benefit & Pension Checks: Manage Child Benefit claims, track State Pension forecasts, and spot NI gaps you can top up.
  
  

Status relevance: According to a Harvard Business Review study, using mobile-first tax platforms significantly improves user confidence and reduces reporting errors.

5. Preparing for MTD & Future Upgrades

While Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax starts in April 2026, the app already lets you:

• Sign up for MTD testing when invited.
  
  

• Access VAT quarterly reports if you’re MTD-registered.
  
  

• Receive in-app guidance on switching to compatible software.
  
  

If you're registered for VAT or work in a region with harmonized sales taxes like Canada, having dedicated tools like:

• hstcalculator.onl for Canada’s HST computations (Ontario: 13%, Nova Scotia: 15%, etc.)
  
  

• vatcalc.onl for UK VAT breakdowns and reverse tax math
  
  

...can save you hours and make quarterly filing more reliable. These calculators simplify cross-border and self-employed tax calculations that feed directly into your HMRC returns.

Future vision: HMRC plans to integrate real-time PAYE portals in late 2025, so you’ll soon see live payroll data alongside your tax returns—bringing even more transparency to your financial records.

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