A Government Gateway user ID is HMRC's own login. You may already have one from a previous job, a tax return or a benefits claim, so it is worth checking before you create another. Having two accounts causes more problems than it solves.
Do you need one? For most TaxPro claims, no. We connect to HMRC on your behalf using the authorisation you have already given us. If you have been asked to sign in and you are not sure why, message us first and we will tell you whether it is actually needed for your claim.
What to have ready
Your National Insurance number
Your UK postcode
An email address you can access right now
Your phone, for the security code
Creating the account
Go to gov.uk/personal-tax-account and choose to create sign in details.
Enter your email address and confirm it using the code HMRC sends you. Check your junk folder if it does not arrive.
Enter your name, date of birth, National Insurance number and postcode. These must match HMRC's records exactly — one wrong digit in an NI number is the most common reason this step fails. Check yours against a payslip or P60.
Choose a password and save the user ID HMRC gives you. It is a 12-digit number and you will not be shown it again, so write it down or screenshot it now. 📝
Set up security codes to your phone. You will need a code every time you sign in, so use a number you will keep.
Two things that trip people up
Link an email address to the account. Without one you cannot recover your details online later, and HMRC will only reset it over the phone.
Keep the phone number current. If you change your number without updating HMRC, getting back in becomes much harder.
Already have an account and cannot get in? The troubleshooting sections below cover the most common problems.
HMRC connection not working
If you have created your Government Gateway user ID but the connection to HMRC is not completing, work through these checks:
Make sure you are signed in to the correct Government Gateway account — if you have more than one, the wrong one will fail to connect.
Check that the name, National Insurance number and postcode on your TaxPro profile exactly match what HMRC holds. A single character difference will block the connection.
Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again in a fresh tab or a different browser.
If you are using a work device or a VPN, try on a personal device without a VPN — some network configurations block the HMRC handshake.
Wait ten minutes and try again. HMRC's systems occasionally have brief outages that resolve on their own.
If none of the above works, message us with a screenshot of the error. We can check whether the issue is on the HMRC side and advise on next steps.
Identity verification failed or expired
HMRC requires identity verification when you set up your account, and verification can also expire over time. If you see an identity check error:
Try a different identity document. If your passport failed, try a P60 or a recent payslip instead — HMRC accepts several document types.
Make sure the document details you enter match exactly what is printed on the document. Abbreviated names or missing middle names are a common cause of failure.
If your verification has expired, HMRC will ask you to go through the process again from the start. You do not need to create a new Government Gateway ID — just sign in and follow the re-verification prompt.
If you have recently changed your name or address, HMRC's records may not have updated yet. In that case, contact HMRC directly to update your details before attempting verification again.
HMRC application rejected
If you receive a message that your HMRC application or authorisation has been rejected, this usually means one of the following:
Your HMRC account details do not match what TaxPro submitted. Check that the name and National Insurance number on your TaxPro profile are correct.
HMRC has flagged the connection as a security measure. In this case, sign in to your Government Gateway account directly and check whether there is a pending authorisation request you need to approve.
If your application has been rejected and none of the above applies, message us with the exact wording of the rejection message. We will investigate with HMRC on your behalf.