HMRC Self Assessment contact methods, such as letters, emails, or texts, can leave many wondering whether the message is legitimate.
From mid-2025 onwards, HMRC has been actively contacting taxpayers who appear to have missed submitting their Self Assessment tax return. These messages may come by letter, followed by a text message or email – and in some cases, even a phone call.
This use of multiple communication methods is a legitimate HMRC approach, but it’s also when scammers are most active.
Understanding HMRC Self Assessment Contact Methods
To protect yourself, HMRC provides a regularly updated page to help you check if contact is genuine – particularly when they reach out in more than one way: Check genuine HMRC contact
It outlines current HMRC campaigns and what to expect when being contacted about:
- Missing tax returns
- Outstanding tax
- Self-Assessment filing issues
How You Can Protect Yourself
- Never share personal or bank details unless you’ve verified the message.
- Cross-check messages against the official HMRC guidance page.
- Log in to your HMRC Personal Tax Account to confirm your tax status before responding.
- Report suspicious contact via HMRC’s phishing and scam reporting channels.
Example: If you receive a letter followed by a text reminding you to file your 2023–24 Self Assessment return, it may be a legitimate reminder – but always verify first.
We recommend bookmarking the HMRC contact guidance page and checking it before taking any action. It’s regularly updated with the latest outreach formats and wording used.