If you have recently formed a UK limited company, one of the first pieces of information you will need to locate is your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). Your company UTR is a 10-digit tax reference issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). It identifies your company for Corporation Tax purposes and is used when dealing with HMRC, including when submitting a Company Tax Return.

For most newly incorporated companies, HMRC creates the UTR as part of setting up the company's Corporation Tax record. You do not normally choose the number yourself or apply for one in the same way you apply for a company number at Companies House.

The challenge for many new directors is knowing where the UTR is, when it should arrive, what to do if it does not arrive, and how it differs from other company identification numbers. This guide explains exactly how to get your company UTR, how to request another copy if you have lost it, and what international founders should know when managing a UK company from overseas.

What Is a UTR Number for a Company?

A Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is a 10-digit number issued by HMRC to identify a taxpayer for tax administration. When you establish a limited company, HMRC issues a Corporation Tax UTR for that company. HMRC describes it as a 10-digit number that may simply be referred to as a "tax reference." For example:

Company name: Example Digital Ltd
Company number: 12345678
Corporation Tax UTR: 1234567890

The numbers serve different purposes. The company number identifies the company at Companies House. The UTR identifies the company within HMRC's tax system. You should keep both numbers safely stored because you will use them for different company administration tasks.

Why Does a Company Need a UTR?

Your UTR is primarily used when dealing with HMRC about Corporation Tax. You may need it when:

• Communicating with HMRC about Corporation Tax
• Filing a Company Tax Return
• Setting up Corporation Tax online services
• Managing your company's Corporation Tax account
• Working with an accountant or tax adviser
• Dealing with Corporation Tax payments and records

HMRC's guidance confirms that the UTR is used to identify the company's Corporation Tax record. It is therefore one of the core pieces of information a company director should keep with the company's incorporation documents.

How Do You Get a UTR Number for a Limited Company?

For most UK limited companies, you do not need to submit a separate application simply to obtain a UTR. When a company is incorporated, Companies House passes relevant information to HMRC, which can then create the company's Corporation Tax record and issue its UTR.

HMRC says that when you set up a limited company, you will receive a UTR, normally by post around 15 days after registration. It can take longer where overseas circumstances are involved. The letter is sent to the company's registered office address. This is particularly important for founders who live outside the UK. If you have formed a UK company remotely, make sure someone can reliably receive and forward official correspondence from the registered office.

When Should Your Company's UTR Arrive?

HMRC states that you will usually receive your UTR by post around 15 days after registering the company. However, there can be delays. For example, you may need to allow additional time if:

• Your company has overseas directors or other international circumstances
• Your registered office address is incorrect
• The company has recently changed its registered office
• HMRC's records have not yet been updated
• Postal delivery has been delayed

If you have not received your UTR after the expected period, you do not necessarily need to form the company again or submit a new Corporation Tax application. HMRC provides an online service specifically for limited companies to request their UTR.

Where Can You Find Your Company's UTR?

There are several places to look before requesting another copy.

1. HMRC letters

Your UTR is normally included in correspondence from HMRC about Corporation Tax. Look through letters sent to your company's registered office, particularly correspondence received shortly after incorporation. HMRC states that the UTR can be found on previous tax returns and other HMRC documents.

2. Your Company Tax Return

If your company has previously filed a Company Tax Return, the UTR will normally appear in the relevant HMRC records and correspondence.

3. Your accountant's records

If an accountant handles your company's Corporation Tax affairs, they may already have your UTR. This is one reason it is useful to give your accountant access to the appropriate HMRC services rather than repeatedly exchanging documents manually.

4. Your HMRC business tax account

Once your company's Corporation Tax service has been set up, relevant tax information can be managed through HMRC's online services. If you have forgotten your UTR, however, you should use HMRC's official UTR service rather than trying to guess the number.

How to Request Your Company UTR Online

If you have a limited company and cannot find its UTR, HMRC provides an online service to request it.

Step 1: Go to the official HMRC UTR service

Use the GOV.UK "Find your UTR number" service. HMRC specifically confirms that limited companies can request their Corporation Tax UTR online.

Step 2: Identify yourself as acting for a limited company

The service distinguishes between personal UTRs and organisational references. Make sure you are requesting the company's Corporation Tax UTR, not your personal Self Assessment UTR.

Step 3: Provide the requested company information

HMRC will use information connected to the company to verify the request. Make sure the information you provide matches the company's official records.

Step 4: Check the registered office address

HMRC sends the UTR to the business address registered with Companies House. If your registered office address is wrong, this can cause problems with receiving HMRC correspondence. If you need to change the company's registered office, the appropriate update should be made with Companies House.

What If You Have Not Received Your UTR?

If your company was registered recently, first consider whether enough time has passed. HMRC says that if you did not receive your UTR 15 working days after registering your company, you can request it online. Before requesting it, check:

• The company was successfully incorporated
• Your registered office address is correct
• You have checked recent company correspondence
• You have allowed sufficient postal time
• You are looking for the company's UTR rather than your personal UTR

If the problem continues, you can contact HMRC's Corporation Tax service. HMRC's current Corporation Tax general enquiries guidance says that advisers can provide a copy of a company's Corporation Tax UTR, although the UTR itself cannot simply be disclosed over the phone without the appropriate process.

What If You Have Lost Your UTR?

Losing your UTR does not mean you need to obtain a new one. Your company's UTR is a permanent reference associated with its Corporation Tax record. Instead of applying for another UTR, you should retrieve or request a copy of the existing number. HMRC specifically provides a service for limited companies to request their UTR when they do not know it. This distinction matters because you should not create multiple tax records for the same company simply because the original reference has been misplaced.

Is a UTR the Same as a Company Number?

No. This is one of the most common mistakes made by new company owners.

Company number

Your company number, sometimes called the Companies House registration number or CRN, is issued when the company is incorporated. It identifies the company on the Companies House register.

UTR

Your UTR is issued by HMRC and identifies the company for Corporation Tax purposes. Think of it this way:

Companies House → Company number

HMRC → Corporation Tax UTR

You may need both when completing different administrative processes.

Is a Company UTR the Same as a Personal UTR?

No. A company can have its own Corporation Tax UTR, while its director may have a separate personal UTR for Self Assessment. For example:

ABC Consulting Ltd
Corporation Tax UTR: 1234567890

Director: John Smith
Personal Self Assessment UTR: 0987654321

They relate to different taxpayers. This distinction becomes particularly important where a director operates their own company while also having personal Self Assessment obligations. Do not use your personal UTR when a form specifically asks for your company's Corporation Tax UTR.

What Is the Difference Between a UTR, Company Number and VAT Number?

A growing company can accumulate several important reference numbers.

These numbers should be kept separately in your company's records. A useful practice is to create a secure company information sheet containing all government references, important dates and account details. Do not publish sensitive tax information unnecessarily.

Do You Need a UTR Before Registering for Corporation Tax?

Your UTR is an important part of the Corporation Tax setup process. When adding Corporation Tax services to your HMRC business tax account, HMRC asks for the company's 10-digit UTR along with other company information. You may also need information such as:

• Company registration number
• Date the company started doing business
• Date the first accounts are made up to

The UTR therefore becomes particularly important once your company moves from incorporation into active tax administration.

What Should You Do After Receiving Your UTR?

Getting the UTR is only one step. If your company is active for Corporation Tax, you should make sure its HMRC Corporation Tax services are properly set up. HMRC's online guidance explains that you can sign in to your business tax account, select "Services you can add", find Corporation Tax and enrol for the service. Once the account is properly established, you can manage relevant Corporation Tax obligations online. Depending on your circumstances, this can include:

• Filing Company Tax Returns
• Checking accounting periods
• Viewing liabilities
• Checking payments
• Managing certain company tax details

HMRC's Corporation Tax online services support these functions for companies and authorised agents.

Does Every Newly Formed Company Need to Start Using Its UTR Immediately?

Not necessarily. A company can be incorporated and remain dormant before beginning business activity. For example:

1 August: Company incorporated
August–October: No business activity
1 November: Company begins trading

The company's tax position changes when it becomes active. HMRC provides a separate process for companies that are dormant for Corporation Tax. Once a dormant company begins trading again, it must tell HMRC. This is another reason why the UTR should be kept safely even if the company is not currently trading.

What Happens If Your Company Is Based Outside the UK?

The UTR is particularly important for international founders who own UK companies remotely. A founder can live outside the UK while owning and managing a UK limited company. The company can still have UK Corporation Tax responsibilities, and HMRC correspondence is normally sent to the company's registered address.

For non-UK incorporated companies, HMRC has separate registration rules where UK Corporation Tax applies. HMRC says that after registration, it will set up the company's record and send its Corporation Tax UTR by post. International founders should also be careful not to confuse where they personally live with the company's tax position. Cross-border management, tax residence, permanent establishments and double-taxation rules can create more complicated issues. Where your business operates across multiple countries, professional tax advice is worth considering.

What If Your Registered Office Address Has Changed?

This is an easy detail to overlook. HMRC says that the company's registered office address should be correct because this is where relevant letters are sent. If the company has changed its registered office, update Companies House promptly. If you have recently changed the address, allow time for records to update before expecting certain HMRC correspondence to arrive at the new location. For international founders using a registered office service, it is especially important to have a reliable system for receiving and scanning official correspondence.

How IncorpUK Can Help Global Founders Stay Organised

For an overseas entrepreneur, getting a UK company number is only the beginning. IncorpUK is a UK company formation and management platform for global founders. Its wider company-management resources include registered office support, official mail scanning and emailing, banking guidance, payment gateway guidance and tools designed to help founders manage their UK companies remotely.

That infrastructure can be useful when important documents such as HMRC correspondence need to reach a founder who is not physically based in Britain. However, company formation and management services should not be confused with professional tax advice. If your company has complex Corporation Tax, international tax or accounting circumstances, speak to a qualified adviser.

A New Company UTR Checklist

Once your company has been incorporated, work through this checklist:

• Confirm the company has been successfully incorporated
• Keep your Certificate of Incorporation
• Record your Companies House company number
• Wait for the HMRC UTR letter
• Check the registered office address
• Locate the 10-digit Corporation Tax UTR
• Keep the UTR securely with your company records
• Set up your HMRC business tax account
• Add Corporation Tax services if required
• Record Corporation Tax filing and payment deadlines
• Give the UTR to your accountant or tax adviser where appropriate
• Never confuse the company UTR with your personal Self Assessment UTR

A simple digital folder containing your incorporation documents, UTR correspondence, Companies House filings and HMRC records can save considerable time later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a company UTR?

HMRC says you will usually receive your UTR by post around 15 days after registering the company. It can take longer in some circumstances, particularly where overseas circumstances are involved.

Can I get my company UTR online?

Yes. If you have a limited company and do not know its UTR, HMRC provides an online service to request it.

Is a UTR the same as a company registration number?

No. The company registration number is issued by Companies House, while the Corporation Tax UTR is issued by HMRC.

How many digits is a company UTR?

A Corporation Tax UTR is a 10-digit number.

Where will HMRC send my company's UTR?

For a UK limited company, HMRC sends the UTR to the business address registered with Companies House.

Can I request another UTR if I lose mine?

You do not normally receive a new UTR. Instead, you request or retrieve the existing UTR through HMRC.

Is my company's UTR the same as my personal UTR?

No. A company's Corporation Tax UTR and an individual's Self Assessment UTR are separate tax references.

Does a dormant company have a UTR?

A company can have a Corporation Tax UTR even when it is dormant. The UTR remains associated with the company's HMRC record.

Do I need my UTR to file Corporation Tax?

The UTR is the company's key Corporation Tax reference and is used when dealing with HMRC and filing Company Tax Returns.

Conclusion

Getting a UTR number for your UK company is usually straightforward. In most cases, HMRC creates the Corporation Tax UTR after the company is registered, and the 10-digit reference is sent by post to the company's registered office. If the letter does not arrive, there is no need to panic. Check your company's registered office details, allow the appropriate processing time and use HMRC's official online service to request the UTR.

The most important thing is to understand what the number represents. Your company number identifies your business at Companies House; your UTR identifies it for Corporation Tax with HMRC. For founders, particularly those running UK companies from overseas, keeping the UTR, company number, incorporation documents and HMRC correspondence securely organised from the beginning makes ongoing company administration considerably easier. Find the UTR, keep it secure, activate your HMRC Corporation Tax services when required, and treat it as a permanent part of your company's essential records.