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What is HMRC online services account?
Last verified 31 October 2026
An HMRC online services account is your sign-in for HMRC's online services. It gives access to services such as a personal tax account, a business tax account and Self Assessment.
Why it matters to landlords
You sign in with either a Government Gateway user ID, which has up to 12 characters and a password, or GOV.UK One Login, which uses an email address and password. If you already use HMRC online services, HMRC says to keep using your existing sign-in details.
For MTD for Income Tax, HMRC says sole traders and landlords use their existing HMRC online account. After signing in with the same details used for Self Assessment, you select Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. If it is missing, you use Add a tax to your account. In the account you can view a tax estimate, check update and return due dates, see penalty points, add or cease an income source and, if you are a voluntary user, opt out. Agents use an agent services account instead.
Example
Joanne has done Self Assessment for years, so she signs in with her usual details, selects Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and sees her due dates for the four quarterly updates. She also adds a new property business from that account.
What HMRC Does, and Doesn't Do, in Making Tax Digital →
Related terms
- Government Gateway
- Personal tax account
- Signing up for MTD for Income Tax
- Agent services account
- HMRC app