How to Inform HMRC of a Change of Address (Without the Headache)

Quick answer: To notify HMRC of a change of address, sign in to your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app and update your details online. It's the fastest method. You can also call the Income Tax helpline (0300 200 3300) or Self Assessment helpline (0300 200 3310), or write to HMRC by post. Note: updating your address with HMRC does not update Companies House, so limited company directors need to do both separately.

Key Takeaways

• The fastest way to tell HMRC you've changed address is through your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app.
• HMRC's systems don't talk to each other; updating your Self Assessment record won't automatically update your PAYE, VAT, or Child Benefit records.
• Your employer does not notify HMRC of your house move. That responsibility sits with you.
• Updating HMRC won't update Companies House. Directors need to change their registered office address separately.
• There's no email option. You can only tell HMRC by phone, post, or online.
• Delaying can cost you. Missed correspondence has led to backdated fines running into thousands of pounds for taxpayers who moved without updating their address.

One quirk about HMRC that catches almost everyone out at least once: it isn't one system. It's several. Update your address for Self Assessment, and your PAYE record, VAT registration, and Child Benefit claim carry on quietly pointing at your old front door. We've seen clients hit with penalty notices for tax years they didn't even know were still open, simply because a reminder letter went to a house they'd left two years earlier.

Moving home is stressful enough without discovering, months later, that HMRC has been writing to your old address about a fine that's now accruing interest. This guide walks through exactly who you need to tell, how to tell them, and what happens if you don't.

Do I Need to Notify HMRC If I Move House?

Yes. If you're within the UK tax system in any capacity, informing HMRC of a change of address isn't optional. It's a legal requirement tied to your obligation to keep your tax records accurate.

Here's why it matters more than it might seem:

• Missed deadlines still count against you. HMRC doesn't excuse a late filing penalty because a reminder letter went to your old address. You're still on the hook for the deadline, whether or not you saw the notice.
• Tax code errors can cost you money. If HMRC can't reach you to confirm details, your tax code may not reflect your correct circumstances, meaning you could overpay or underpay tax.
• Benefits and credits can be disrupted.Child Benefit, tax credits, and State Pension payments are all linked to your registered address.

So, do you need to notify HMRC of a change of address? If you pay tax, claim any benefit administered by HMRC, or run a business, the answer is a firm yes.

Who Do I Need to Notify If I Change My Address?

This is where things get more complicated than most people expect. HMRC change of address isn't a single update; it's several, depending on your situation.

Notice that updating your personal Self Assessment record does nothing for your PAYE employer scheme, and vice versa. If you wear multiple hats, say, you're employed and also self-employed on the side, you'll need to update more than one record.

How Do I Inform HMRC of a Change of Address?

There are three official routes: online, by phone, or by post. There's no HMRC change of address by email option; HMRC has confirmed this isn't a secure enough channel for personal data changes.

HMRC Change of Address Online

This is the quickest and most reliable method. Head to www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-address, sign in to your Personal Tax Account, and update your details directly.

If you don't already have a Personal Tax Account, you can set one up the first time you sign in. You'll need:

• Your National Insurance number
• Two forms of ID verification, such as a UK passport, driving licence, recent payslip, or P60

This online service updates your address for Income Tax, National Insurance, Child Benefit, and State Pension in one go. You can also use the HMRC app to do exactly the same thing from your phone; handy if you're mid-move and don't have access to a laptop.

Important: you need to wait until you've actually moved before updating your address with HMRC. It's not designed for future-dated changes.

HMRC Change of Address by Phone

If you'd rather speak to someone, or your situation doesn't fit neatly into the online service, you can call. Have your National Insurance number and new address ready before you dial:

• Income Tax: 0300 200 3300
• Self Assessment: 0300 200 3310
• Child Benefit: 0300 200 3100

Lines are open Monday to Friday during standard office hours, and they do get busy, particularly around Self Assessment deadlines in January. If you can, avoid calling first thing on a Monday.

HMRC Change of Address by Post

Writing to HMRC is the slowest option, so it's worth using only if online and phone aren't practical for you. Include your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and your old and new addresses.

For general Self Assessment and PAYE correspondence, HMRC's postal address is:

HM Revenue and Customs
Pay As You Earn and Self Assessment
BX9 1AS
United Kingdom

For Tax Credits specifically, write to:

HMRC – Tax Credit Office
Change of circumstances
BX9 1ER

Whichever address you use, send your letter by recorded delivery and keep a copy for your own records. Postal updates can take several weeks to process, so factor that in if you're expecting time-sensitive correspondence.

How Do I Notify HMRC of Change of Main Residence?

If the address change is your main residence, as opposed to a correspondence address or business address, the process is the same as outlined above: online via your Personal Tax Account, by phone, or by post.

The key thing to flag here is the distinction between your main residence and any correspondence address you might use for business purposes. If you're a director using a separate registered office or service address for your company, changing your home address won't touch that record. The two are entirely separate at HMRC and at Companies House.

Does My Employer Tell HMRC About My Change of Address?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions we come across. Your employer does not notify HMRC when you move house. Even though your employer submits Real Time Information (RTI) returns to HMRC every payday, these don't include a mechanism for reporting your new address.

That responsibility is entirely yours. If you assume your employer or payroll department has it covered, you could go months or longer without HMRC holding your correct details.

HMRC Self Assessment Change of Address

If you file a Self Assessment tax return, updating your address matters more than for most. This is because HMRC relies on your registered address to send:

• Payment reminders and statements
• Notices to file
• Tax calculation letters
• Penalty notices, should you miss a deadline

You can update your Self Assessment address through your Personal Tax Account online (the fastest route), by calling 0300 200 3310, or by amending your address on your next SA100 paper return, if you file on paper. Once updated, HMRC confirms your other personal details are refreshed at the same time.

HMRC Change of Business Address

If you run a limited company, there's a critical distinction to understand: updating your personal address with HMRC does nothing for your company's registered office address. These are two completely separate records, held by two separate organisations.

• Companies House holds your registered office address. This must be updated via their online filing service, and it appears on the public register.
• HMRC holds your Corporation Tax, PAYE for Employers, and VAT registration details separately, and each may need updating individually depending on which taxes apply to your business.

If you're VAT-registered, you'll need to update your VAT address with HMRC directly. If you run payroll, your PAYE for Employers scheme needs its own update too. It's a lot of separate admin for what feels like one simple change — but skipping any one of them risks a gap in your compliance record.

TL;DR

Notifying HMRC of a change of address isn't a single action — it's several, depending on your circumstances. Update online via your Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app for the fastest result covering Income Tax, National Insurance, Child Benefit, and State Pension. Call 0300 200 3300 (Income Tax) or 0300 200 3310 (Self Assessment) if you'd rather speak to someone. Post is available but slow. Remember: your employer won't do this for you, and updating HMRC won't touch your Companies House record if you're a director. Each system needs telling separately.

Don't Let an Old Address Cost You, Register Your Address with Debitam

An out-of-date address with HMRC isn't just an admin oversight, it's the kind of small gap that turns into backdated penalties, missed refunds, and confusing tax code errors down the line. The fix takes minutes. The consequences of ignoring it can take months to unravel.

If you've moved recently or you're not sure which of your HMRC records actually need updating Debitam can help you get it sorted properly, joining 25,000 more businesses across the UK. Moving to your registered office address in the heart of the prestigious London financial district (42-44 Bishopsgate) would benefit your business as well as your reputation. 

Get in touch today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notify HMRC of a change of address?

Yes. If you pay Income Tax, file Self Assessment, claim Child Benefit, receive State Pension, or run a VAT-registered or PAYE business, you're required to keep your address up to date with HMRC.

How long does it take HMRC to update my address?

Online and app updates typically show in your account within a few days. Postal updates can take several weeks, so use the online service if your update is time-sensitive.

What happens if I forget to update my address with HMRC?

You risk missing important correspondence, including penalty notices, tax code changes, and payment reminders and HMRC won't excuse a missed deadline because the letter went to your old address.

Can I update my address with HMRC by email?

No. HMRC doesn't offer a change of address by email due to data security concerns. Use the online service, phone, or post instead.

Will updating my HMRC address also update Companies House?

No. These are entirely separate systems. Directors need to update their registered office address with Companies House independently.