HMRC — Tax, Benefits & Self-Assessment Guide
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) handles tax collection, tax credits, child benefits, and National Insurance in the UK. This guide covers key services and contact information.
Key Services
- Self-Assessment Tax Return: Annual filing for self-employed, landlords, and high earners. Deadline: 31 January (online), 31 October (paper).
- PAYE: Pay As You Earn — tax deducted automatically from wages and pensions.
- Child Benefit: £25.60/week for first child, £16.95/week for each additional child.
- Tax-Free Childcare: Up to £2,000/year per child towards childcare costs.
- Marriage Allowance: Transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your spouse — worth up to £252/year.
📞 HMRC Contact Numbers
| Self-Assessment Helpline | 0300 200 3310 |
| PAYE / Income Tax | 0300 200 3300 |
| Child Benefit | 0300 200 3100 |
| Tax Credits | 0345 300 3900 |
| National Insurance | 0300 200 3500 |
| Online Services Helpdesk | 0300 200 3600 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (some lines 8pm), Saturday 8am-4pm |
| Website | gov.uk/hmrc |
New: Simplified Quarterly Reporting
HMRC has launched a streamlined quarterly reporting system replacing annual self-assessment for freelancers and contractors. The new system auto-calculates tax based on real-time digital records.
Last updated: June 2026.