HMRC Digital Letters Communication – Everything You Need to Know

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is preparing to stop sending routine paper letters to millions of taxpayers. From spring 2026, anyone who already uses HMRC’s online services or the HMRC app will receive their correspondence as digital letters instead. Email or push notifications will alert users to new messages, but the letters themselves can only be viewed inside a secure online account. The change is part of a wider government push to make 90% of HMRC interactions digital by 2028–29, saving an estimated £50 million a year on print and postage.

The transition was confirmed in HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap and the Finance Bill 2025–26. Paper letters will not disappear entirely – vulnerable taxpayers and those who cannot access digital services will continue to receive them automatically. But for the majority, the familiar brown envelope will be replaced by a notification on a screen.

The move is designed to improve security, speed up communication, and reduce environmental impact. It also raises practical questions: How will you access your letters? What happens if you miss a notification? And how can you be sure a message is genuinely from HMRC?

When Will HMRC Stop Sending Paper Letters and Move to Digital by Default?

• HMRC’s digital-by-default letters aim to improve security, speed, and reduce paper waste.
• Digital letters will be accessible via the HMRC app or the GOV.UK personal tax account.
• An email or push notification will alert users to new correspondence – no more postal delays.
• Paper letters will still be sent to those who cannot use digital services, but this will not be the default.
• The HMRC app does not currently allow digital replies – users must respond via other channels.
• Scams remain a concern; HMRC will never ask for personal data via email or text.

How to Access HMRC Digital Letters Online or via the HMRC App

Digital letters are not sent as attachments in emails or texts. Instead, you receive a notification telling you a new message is waiting. You must then log in to view it. There are two main ways to do this: the personal tax account on GOV.UK or the HMRC app on your smartphone. Both platforms store letters for seven years and allow you to search through them.

Checking Letters on the Personal Tax Account

The web-based personal tax account is accessible from any device with internet access. Once logged in – using two-step verification – you can see all your digital correspondence. Letters are keyword searchable, which makes finding a specific notice much faster than rifling through paper files. The account also integrates with Making Tax Digital for business users.

Using the HMRC App

The HMRC app is available on iOS and Android. It offers instant access using biometrics (face or fingerprint) or a PIN. Notifications arrive as push alerts, so you do not need to rely on email. The app currently has limited search functions, but it provides real-time alerts for Self Assessment, VAT, and PAYE. You can view and save letters, though the app does not yet let you reply to them directly.

Can You Download Letters as PDFs?

Yes, digital letters can be viewed, printed, and saved as PDFs from your online account or the app. This means you can keep your own archive if you prefer offline copies. HMRC recommends saving important letters to your own device for extra security.

How to Verify a Genuine HMRC Letter (Digital or Paper) and Avoid Scams

Scammers often exploit major changes like this one. HMRC has warned that phishing attempts tend to surge around key deadlines, such as the 31 January Self Assessment deadline. The safest way to check whether a message is genuine is never to click links in unexpected emails or texts. Instead, open the HMRC app directly or go to GOV.UK and log into your account.

What a Genuine Notification Looks Like

A real notification from HMRC will tell you that a new letter is available, but it will not include the letter’s content. It will not ask you to provide personal data, make a payment, or click a link to enter sensitive information. If you receive a message that asks for your bank details, date of birth, or passwords, it is almost certainly a scam.

Security Measures in Place

The digital system uses encryption and multiple layers of verification. The web account requires two-step authentication. The app can use biometrics. From 2025–26, HMRC is expanding voice biometrics for phone verification and rolling out GOV.UK One Login by the end of 2026. These measures are intended to make digital correspondence more secure than paper, which can be lost or intercepted in the post.

What Happens to Self Assessment Letters and PDFs in the Digital System?

Self Assessment taxpayers will start receiving digital letters from April 2026, initially for those with incomes over £50,000. The annual reminder to file a tax return will come as a notification rather than a paper letter. The content of the message – such as your unique taxpayer reference and deadline – will be identical to what would have been posted.

Letter Format and Storage

Digital Self Assessment letters appear in your personal tax account or the app in the same format as before. They can be viewed on screen, printed, or saved as PDFs. HMRC stores them for seven years, so you can always go back and check an old notice. If you file through an accountant, they can access your letters through their own agent services account.

How to Contact HMRC About Digital Letters and Update Your Preferences

If you have questions about the new system or need to change how you receive correspondence, there are several ways to get help.

Updating Your Contact Details

Login to your personal tax account on GOV.UK or open the HMRC app. Under your profile or settings, you can update your email address and phone number. This is critical because HMRC will use these details to send notifications about new letters.

Requesting Paper Letters

If you prefer paper – for example, because you share an email account or need a physical audit trail – you can opt out of digital. Contact HMRC’s general helpline on 0300 200 3300 or use the online form in your tax account. People who are digitally excluded (older, disabled, or without internet access) will receive paper automatically without needing to request it.

Support for Digital Issues

The HMRC app includes an in-app help section. You can also visit the GOV.UK official app page for download links and troubleshooting. For specific problems with digital letters, the general helpline can direct you to the right team.

What Is the Timeline for HMRC’s Digital Communications Rollout?

1. 26 November 2025 – HMRC publishes the policy document “Modernising HMRCs outbound digital communications”.
2. Spring 2026 – Digital-by-default letters go live for existing users of HMRC digital services.
3. March 2026 – VAT-registered businesses move to mandatory digital-first; postal letters stop for them.
4. April 2026 – Self Assessment taxpayers with incomes above £50,000 receive digital letters; PAYE integration begins.
5. Late 2026 – HMRC app upgrade provides a full seven-year digital archive.
6. End 2026–2027 – GOV.UK One Login and voice biometrics fully rolled out; 90% digital target pursued.

What Is Certain and What Is Still Unclear About the Digital Letter Change?

Why Is HMRC Making This Change?

HMRC’s move to digital letters is part of a broader government digital transformation agenda. It improves efficiency and security but raises concerns for vulnerable users. The Association of Taxation Technicians has noted the lack of in-app reply functionality as a limitation. Taxpayers should update their contact details and stay alert to phishing attempts that mimic genuine HMRC communications. The expected savings of £50 million per year will be redirected to improving services for those who need extra support.

What Do Official Sources Say About the Digital Letter Change?

“By making digital communication the default, HMRC will be able to contact customers securely and promptly, while reducing reliance on paper.”

GOV.UK publication “Modernising HMRCs outbound digital communications” (Nov 2025)

“We are aware that HMRC intends to switch to digital letters sent via the HMRC app, however there is currently no digital means of response within the app.”

ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians), “Secure electronic communications with HMRC”

“From 2026, taxpayers who already use HMRC’s online services or app will receive email alerts directing them to view new correspondence in their personal tax account.”

Moore Thompson advisory article

What Should Taxpayers Do Next?

Bookmark the official HMRC digital communications page for updates. Download the HMRC app and ensure your contact email is current in your tax account. If you rely on paper letters, contact HMRC to request continued postal correspondence. Monitor for phishing attempts – always navigate to the HMRC app or GOV.UK directly. For guidance on other government services, see Check My State Pension – Official Guide to Your Forecast and EDF Customer Service Number UK: Official Contacts & Hours.

Frequently Asked Questions