HMRC contact number
HMRC runs a different line for each tax. For most personal tax questions the Income Tax line is the one you want; the other main lines are below with their own pages.
Checked against gov.uk on 7 September 2026
Income Tax (individuals and employees)Local rate
Self AssessmentLocal rate
National InsuranceLocal rate
Child BenefitLocal rate
VATLocal rate
Online services helpdesk (technical problems)Local rate
Best time to call
HMRC's busiest periods are the Self Assessment deadline in January, the start of the tax year in April, and Monday mornings all year. Its own guidance for the VAT line says 8:30am to 11am is quietest, and that pattern holds broadly across HMRC lines.
Have this ready before you call
- Your National Insurance number
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for Self Assessment calls
- A note of why you are calling: the lines use speech recognition and ask you to say it
If the line is closed
- Your personal tax account on gov.uk shows tax codes, payments and letters without a queue
- HMRC's digital assistant answers common questions online at any hour
Common questions
Is there one general HMRC contact number?
Not really. The closest is the Income Tax line, 0300 200 3300, which handles most personal tax questions. Anything about Self Assessment, VAT, Child Benefit or National Insurance has its own line.
Are HMRC 0300 numbers free?
0300 numbers cost the same as calling a normal 01 or 02 landline and count towards inclusive minutes on almost all mobile and landline plans, so most people pay nothing extra.
Why does the line ask me to describe my call?
HMRC's phone system uses speech recognition to route you. Say a few plain words about your issue, like 'self assessment payment', and it will pass you to the right team.