Company UTR number: where to find it and how to get it
A company UTR number is the Unique Taxpayer Reference that HMRC gives a limited company for Corporation Tax. GOV.UK describes it as a 10-digit number.
You will find it on tax returns and other letters about Corporation Tax. If you cannot find it, you can request it online and HMRC posts it to the address registered at Companies House.
What a company UTR is
The company UTR, also called the Corporation Tax UTR, is the number HMRC uses to identify your company for Corporation Tax. You may see it called "reference", "UTR" or "official use" on forms.
It belongs to the company. A person has their own UTR for Self Assessment, and GOV.UK gives separate routes for finding a person's UTR and an organisation's UTR.
It is not the Companies House authentication code, which is six characters of letters and numbers. It is not the 13-character Accounts Office reference for PAYE either.
Where to find your company UTR
- Look at previous tax returns and other documents from HMRC, for example notices to file a return or payment reminders.
- Look at any letter from HMRC. After you register for Corporation Tax, you can find the UTR on any letter from HMRC.
- If you registered your company for Corporation Tax and no UTR has arrived 15 working days later, you can request the company's UTR online.
- If it is lost, request your Corporation Tax UTR online. HMRC will send it to the business address that is registered with Companies House.
- If none of that works, GOV.UK says to contact HMRC.
GOV.UK's introduction says you will usually get a UTR by post around 15 days after you register. Its guidance on a lost UTR gives no delivery time for a company's request.
How Kofolio keeps your UTR
On a Kofolio company card, Corporation Tax UTR is its own field next to the company number, VAT number, PAYE reference and authentication code.
You type the UTR in once. Kofolio does not look it up for you.
The UTR is hidden until you press show, and it still copies while hidden. Press U to copy it.
The card works out your Corporation Tax payment and return dates from the year end and counts them down. See the deadlines page and the free deadlines tool.
Kofolio stores and copies. It files nothing for you.
Frequently asked questions
Does a limited company have a UTR number?
Yes. GOV.UK has a route for a limited company to request its Corporation Tax UTR online.
Is a company UTR different from my personal UTR?
They are found in different places. GOV.UK gives a person's UTR routes such as a Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app, and an organisation's UTR comes from documents HMRC has sent it.
Is a UTR 10 digits or 13?
GOV.UK describes the UTR as a 10-digit number. HMRC's guidance for online forms says a UTR can be 10 or 13 digits long and allows a letter k at the start or end, so copy yours exactly as printed on the letter.
Which HMRC documents show the company UTR?
GOV.UK names previous tax returns and other documents from HMRC, for example notices to file a return or payment reminders. HMRC's guidance for forms adds tax returns and other letters about Corporation Tax.
What if I cannot find the UTR anywhere?
GOV.UK says that if you cannot find the organisation's UTR on any documents or online, you should contact HMRC. You can also request your Corporation Tax UTR online, and HMRC sends it to the business address registered with Companies House.
Is the UTR the same as my company number?
No. The company number is the 8-character number Companies House gives your company. The UTR comes from HMRC.
Is the UTR the same as the Accounts Office reference?
No. The UTR is for Corporation Tax. The Accounts Office reference has 13 characters and is on HMRC letters about PAYE.
How do I find the UTR for a new limited company?
Look on any letter from HMRC after you register for Corporation Tax. If none has arrived after 15 working days, request it online.
Keep it in one place
Add your company to Kofolio and keep the UTR hidden but one click from copying. Kofolio is free. Find your company