His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging the public to adopt one of the simplest methods for staying on top of their financial obligations. The tax authority has revealed that its official mobile application has seen a significant surge in popularity, becoming a primary tool for millions.
Record Adoption for Digital Tax Management
According to the latest figures, more than seven million people were actively using the HMRC app by 2025. This marks a substantial increase from the five million users recorded the previous year, underscoring a rapid shift towards digital tax services.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, emphasised the app's convenience in a statement on the Government's website. "The HMRC app has become one of the quickest and easiest ways to check your tax affairs and we’ve seen even more customers embrace it this year," she said. "If you choose to use the app you can access the information you need straight through your phone."
What Can You Do With The HMRC App?
The app's growth is driven by its wide range of functions. In 2025 alone, it was downloaded over four million times and saw more than 136 million logins. Users are leveraging it for everyday tax tasks, with notable spikes in specific areas.
A key trend has been a major rise in older and retired individuals viewing their State Pension forecasts. Simultaneously, hundreds of thousands have used the app to claim Child Benefit. Another popular feature allows users to save their National Insurance number directly to their phone's digital wallet.
The app's capabilities extend far beyond these core functions. Users can efficiently check and manage a comprehensive suite of their personal tax details.
Key Information You Can Access
You can use the HMRC app to view your:
- Current tax code and National Insurance number
- Income and benefits details
- Employment and income history from the last five years
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for Self Assessment
- Self-Assessment tax bill and amount owed
- Child Benefit status
- State Pension forecast
- Gaps in your National Insurance record
Actions You Can Take
The app also enables you to actively manage your affairs by allowing you to:
- Claim a tax refund if you've overpaid
- Update your personal details like your name and address
- Get help from HMRC’s digital assistant
- Make payments for Self-Assessment or Simple Assessments
- Set reminders for tax deadlines
- Use a tax calculator to estimate your take-home pay
- Access your Help to Save account
Easy Access and Security
The HMRC app is free to download from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. After setting up a personal ID, users can sign in securely using a six-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
HMRC has also promoted the app as a useful tool for starting family conversations about finances. During Talk Money Week in November, Myrtle Lloyd encouraged intergenerational discussions, noting that the app provides easy access to tax information that can kick-start these important talks.
With its user base expanding rapidly, the HMRC app is firmly establishing itself as a central hub for personal tax management in the UK, offering a streamlined alternative to traditional phone calls and letters.
