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HMRC registrations
HMRC Registration Links: Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE and CIS
Official links only, organised by task, with notes on who uses each one.
Official sources only · Links checked 23 September 2026 · Last updated 23 September 2026
Quick answer
Register clients with HMRC on GOV.UK: Self Assessment, VAT, PAYE as an employer and CIS each have their own service. Use HMRC’s tools to find a lost UTR, check a VAT number and check employment status. Trusts register through the Trust Registration Service.
Register a client
Each tax has its own registration. Record the reference each one produces on the client’s file.
| Task | Official link | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register for Self Assessment | Open Register for Self Assessment (opens in new tab) | Individuals, sole traders, partners | — |
| Register for VAT | Open Register for VAT (opens in new tab) | Businesses | GOV.UK also covers changes and cancellation |
| Register as an employer (PAYE) | Open Register as an employer (PAYE) (opens in new tab) | Employers | — |
| CIS: what you must do as a contractor | Open CIS: what you must do as a contractor (opens in new tab) | Contractors | Includes registering and verifying subcontractors |
| CIS: what you must do as a subcontractor | Open CIS: what you must do as a subcontractor (opens in new tab) | Subcontractors | — |
| Check if you need to register a trust | Open Check if you need to register a trust (opens in new tab) | Trustees | — |
Stopping and checking
Use these for leavers, takeovers and due diligence.
| Task | Official link | Who uses it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop being self-employed | Open Stop being self-employed (opens in new tab) | Sole traders | — |
| Find a UTR number | Open Find a UTR number (opens in new tab) | Individuals, companies | — |
| Check a UK VAT number | Open Check a UK VAT number (opens in new tab) | Anyone | — |
| Check employment status for tax (CEST) | Open Check employment status for tax (CEST) (opens in new tab) | Employers, contractors | — |
See it working with your own clients
Client references, payment reminders and deadlines in one place.
Keep all of this inside your practice management software
Store each client’s UTR, VAT number, PAYE reference, Accounts Office reference and Corporation Tax payment reference in custom fields on the client record. Create one payment instructions email template with tokens that fill in each client’s own reference, then send it to one client or in bulk before each deadline. Set automated reminders and recurring tasks for every payment date, and pull filing deadlines with Companies House sync. Remindoo doesn’t submit filings, take payments or connect to HMRC — it keeps the references and the reminders in one place.
See the Remindoo how-to guides and getting started.
More link categories
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a client’s UTR?
The UTR is on HMRC letters, previous returns and the client’s personal or business tax account. GOV.UK’s Find a UTR number page explains where to look and how to request it. Once found, store it on the client record so no one has to ask again.
How do I check a VAT number is valid?
Use HMRC’s Check a UK VAT number service on GOV.UK. It confirms whether a number is valid and shows the registered business name and address, which is useful for supplier checks and onboarding.
When should a client register for Self Assessment?
GOV.UK says to register by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which the client needs to file. Registration produces a UTR, which usually arrives by post, so allow time before the 31 January filing deadline.
How long does VAT registration take?
HMRC publishes expected processing times on its Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC page. Times vary, so plan for delays and tell clients not to charge VAT until they have their VAT number.
Do I register a new company for Corporation Tax separately?
A company usually needs to register for Corporation Tax once it starts trading. GOV.UK’s limited company guidance covers when and how. Check the current process on GOV.UK.
How can I track which registrations each client has?
Record each registration and its reference in custom fields on the client record. In Remindoo you can then filter clients by the services they use and set reminders for returns linked to each registration.
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Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice. Always follow the official GOV.UK page.
Why recording every task matters in an accountancy practice
Accounting firms run on deadlines: VAT returns, payroll, confirmation statements, accounts and Self Assessment. Recording every job as a task, with an owner and a date, is the simplest way to make sure nothing is missed.
Avoid penalties
HMRC and Companies House charge penalties for late filing. A task for every deadline, with an internal date before it, gives the team a buffer.
Nothing depends on memory
Recorded tasks mean work continues when someone is off sick, on leave or has left the firm.
Consistent quality
Subtask checklists make every job follow the same steps and reviews, whoever does the work.
Visibility for managers
Filters by owner, status and deadline show at a glance what is late, what is due and who needs help.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Set an internal deadline two to four weeks before every statutory deadline.
- Use recurring tasks for repeat work such as VAT, payroll and bookkeeping.
- Break larger jobs into subtasks, including a review step.
- Comment on the task instead of by email, so the history stays with the work.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
What UK practices say about Remindoo
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