HMRC Telephone Number Free: Helplines, Costs & Contacts

Most UK taxpayers will need to call HMRC at some point, whether it’s a Simple Assessment letter, a Self Assessment query, or a National Insurance dispute. What catches people off guard is that not all HMRC “free” numbers are actually free — and scammers know it. This guide sorts out which numbers to call, what they’ll cost you, and how to spot a genuine HMRC call versus a sophisticated fraud attempt.

Income Tax helpline: 0300 200 3300 · Self Assessment helpline: 0300 200 3310 · National Insurance helpline: 0300 200 3500 · Outside UK prefix: +44 135 535 9022 · Textphone for tax: 0300 200 3319

The following table consolidates all official HMRC contact methods in one place for quick reference.

What is the phone number for HMRC outside the UK?

If you’re calling from outside the UK, you cannot use the standard 0300 numbers. HMRC’s international dialling prefix is +44 135 535 9022 — dial this instead, omitting the leading zero from any 0300 number.

International dialling codes for HMRC lines

All HMRC helplines follow the same international format: drop the leading zero and prefix with +44 135. So the income tax line becomes +44 135 535 9022 for the main switchboard. This connects you to the same department as 0300 200 3300, just at international rates from your carrier.

Costs of calling from abroad

Calling +44 numbers from overseas incurs international call rates set by your phone provider. Some providers bundle international minutes into monthly tariffs, but others charge per minute at premium rates. There is no free HMRC number for international callers. Before dialling, check with your carrier whether your plan covers UK geographic numbers beginning +44 135.

The implication: if you are planning to move abroad or spend extended time overseas, set up your GOV.UK account before you leave. Online services remain accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, at no charge.

How do I contact HMRC?

HMRC offers phone, webchat, post, and online services. The right channel depends on the nature and urgency of your query — and knowing which one to use saves time and avoids long queues.

Phone helplines by topic

HMRC’s main customer service number is 0300 200 3300 (income tax enquiries). For specific topics, HMRC operates dedicated lines:

• Self Assessment: 0300 200 3310 — for queries about your tax return, deadlines, and calculations
• National Insurance: 0300 200 3500 — for NI number enquiries and contributions disputes
• Online services helpdesk: 0300 200 3600 — for issues with Government Gateway accounts, MTD software, and PAYE online
• Textphone (deaf or hard of hearing): 0300 200 3319

HMRC’s customer service contact numbers consistently start with 0300. Any caller ID showing a different prefix — or no number at all — warrants suspicion.

Online and webchat options

The primary hub for HMRC online services is GOV.UK/contact-hmrc, where you can raise a query, track a repayment, or access webchat during business hours. Webchat is particularly useful for complex account issues where a phone call might involve lengthy menus and wait times.

For written correspondence, HMRC’s PAYE and Self Assessment post addresses are listed on GOV.UK. Responses by post typically take 10–15 working days.

Is 0300-200 3500 free?

0300 numbers are charged at the caller’s standard local rate — not necessarily free. Whether you pay anything depends entirely on your phone provider and tariff.

Call costs for 0300 numbers

In the UK, 0300 numbers are “local rate” numbers, meaning they cost the same as a local geographic call. On most mobile contracts, this is included in your monthly minutes. On pay-as-you-go, the cost varies — typically between 5p and 20p per minute depending on the provider.

These numbers are not premium-rate (which begin with 09) and are not free-to-call like 0800 numbers. The critical distinction: 0800 numbers are genuinely free from landlines but may cost from mobiles, while 0300 numbers are charged at local rate on all devices.

Free call alternatives

There is no genuinely free HMRC helpline from a UK phone. However, several options reduce or eliminate the cost:

• Mobile inclusive minutes: If your tariff includes UK mobile calls, 0300 numbers are effectively free within those minutes
• Workplace or home landline: Local-rate calls on landlines are usually unlimited on standard BT/Sky/Virgin packages
• Webchat: Completely free via GOV.UK, no call required
• Relay UK: Free for deaf and hard-of-hearing users through the Relay UK app

The pattern: HMRC does not operate 0800 free lines for general enquiries. The cheapest option is always online — if your query permits it.

How can you talk to HMRC?

Calling HMRC can feel daunting if you are unsure about the process, waiting times, or how to verify the person on the other end is genuine. Here is what to expect.

Phone options

HMRC helplines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (bank holidays excluded). Wait times vary seasonally — January through April and late September through October tend to be busiest due to Self Assessment deadlines.

Before calling, have your National Insurance number and UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) to hand. HMRC will ask security questions before discussing your account. They will never ask for your full password, bank PIN, or a payment directly over the phone without prior arrangement.

Accessibility services like Relay UK

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impediment, Relay UK allows you to communicate through a sign-language interpreter or text relay operator. To use it:

• Open the Relay UK app on your smartphone
• Dial 18001 followed by the HMRC helpline number
• The interpreter types your side of the conversation in real time

Relay UK is free to use. The textphone direct line is 0300 200 3319 for those who prefer typed communication without the app.

Can you WhatsApp HMRC?

No official WhatsApp channel for HMRC exists. Any message claiming to be from HMRC via WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or any other social platform is a scam. HMRC’s only official digital channels are GOV.UK, the Government Gateway, and the HMRC app.

Digital contact methods

Legitimate digital options include:

• GOV.UK contact form: Submit a Secure Message through your online account
• HMRC app: Available on iOS and Android — check tax status, make payments, and view notices
• Webchat: Via GOV.UK during business hours
• Twitter/X: HMRC’s official account (@HMRCcustomers) responds to queries — useful for general guidance but not account-specific issues

Avoiding scams via unofficial channels

HMRC scams have surged in recent years. Simply Business reports that more than 135,500 HMRC scams were reported in the last 10 months, with over 4,800 Self Assessment scams since June 2025. The most common channels are phone calls, texts, and emails.

Key warning signs of an HMRC scam:

• Number spoofing: Scammers manipulate caller ID to display “HMRC” or a legitimate HMRC number (Which? consumer rights)
• AI-generated voices: MTA (My Tax Accountant) documents how scammers use AI to make fraudulent calls sound more convincing
• Pre-recorded calls: A robotic message claiming HMRC is filing a lawsuit and asking you to press 1 is a known scam format (GOV.UK)
• Urgency and threats: HMRC will never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone
• Email or text refunds: GOV.UK confirms HMRC will never notify you of a tax rebate by text or ask you to click a link to claim it

73% of UK adults have been targeted by HMRC scams, according to AAB (an accountancy firm). Nearly 50% of victims lose an average of £1,730 per offence.

Suspicious HMRC emails go to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Suspicious texts forward to 60599 (charged at network rate) or 7726 (free via most networks). Fraudulent calls report to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

How to contact HMRC: step by step

Whether you prefer calling, typing, or filing a formal letter, HMRC provides multiple contact pathways. Choose based on urgency, account access, and the complexity of your issue.

Step 1 — Choose your channel

1. Phone: best for account-specific issues requiring identity verification
2. Webchat: best for non-urgent queries during working hours
3. Online form: best for written records and attachments
4. Post: best for formal notices and P800 repayment claims

Step 2 — Gather your details

1. Have your NI number, UTR, and tax reference to hand. HMRC will ask security questions before discussing your account. Do not share your full password, bank PIN, or card details — genuine HMRC never asks for these over the phone.

Step 3 — If the call feels wrong, hang up

1. If a caller claims to be from HMRC and demands immediate payment, threatens arrest, or asks you to press keys, hang up. Wait five minutes, then call HMRC back on their official number — not the one that just called you. This prevents callback to a spoofed number.

Step 4 — Report suspicious contact

1. Forward phishing emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Forward scam texts to 60599. Report scam texts for free to 7726 via most networks. Report fraudulent calls to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

The pattern: HMRC contact is always initiated by you. Genuine HMRC letters arrive by post with official letterheads, not by unexpected calls demanding bank details.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s still unclear

“HMRC will never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest over the phone.”

— Love Accountancy Limited (Accountancy Firm)

“A genuine HMRC email will always come from an address ending in @hmrc.gov.uk.”

— Simply Business (Business Insurance Provider)

HMRC scams disproportionately spike around Self Assessment deadlines — January and October. YBS Notes that fraudsters exploit the pressure taxpayers feel to resolve tax issues quickly, using urgency and fear as manipulation tools.

The trade-off: the more digital HMRC becomes, the more sophisticated the impersonation attempts grow. AI-generated voices and number spoofing have raised the bar for what a “legitimate” call sounds like. For UK taxpayers, the single most effective defence is refusing to act on unsolicited contact — and verifying everything through official channels.

Related reading: HMRC Simple Assessment Letters: Verify and Respond Guide · Admiral Phone Number 0333 0800 Opening Times Guide

While key HMRC helplines like 0300 200 3300 offer standard rate access, this guide to official 0300 contacts details precise operating times and further free options.

Frequently asked questions