Millions of taxpayers across the UK will soon no longer receive traditional letters from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as the department phases out paper-based communication. In a significant shift, HMRC has confirmed it will stop sending letters as its standard method of contact, moving instead to a fully digital system.
The End of the Paper Trail
From April 2026, HMRC will aim to cease dispatching physical letters for routine communications. This change means that important notifications, which taxpayers currently receive by post, will become digital. These notifications include updates on tax code alterations, reminders for self-assessment deadlines, and requests for further information.
Under the new system, customers who transition to the digital service will receive an email alert when a new message is available for them. The message itself will be accessible as a digital letter within the user's HMRC online account or the official HMRC app.
How to Prepare for the Change
Personal finance experts are urging taxpayers to act now to ensure a smooth transition. Sarah Coles, Head of Personal Finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, advised: "It's a good idea to get the app, because letters will be delivered to it directly. Turn notifications on too, so you'll know when a new message arrives."
She emphasised the critical importance of ensuring HMRC holds the correct contact details. "It's essential that HMRC has the right contact details for you so you need to be sure that their emails go to the right address," Coles stated. "Don't worry, as the new system rolls out, you'll be prompted to confirm that your email contact details are right, just make sure you check it carefully."
Accessing the HMRC Digital Service
To use the HMRC app, users must first sign in with their existing Government Gateway user ID and password. Those without an ID can create one directly through the application. After the initial setup, access is streamlined, allowing sign-in via a 6-digit PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
HMRC has stated its commitment to accessibility, saying: "We want as many people as possible to be able to use the HMRC app. Our accessibility statements describe how the app works with assistive technologies." The department promotes the app as a "quick and easy way to get information about your tax, National Insurance and benefits."
This digital push, part of a wider government shake-up, marks the end of an era for paper-based tax communications. For millions, the familiar sight of a brown HMRC envelope dropping through the letterbox is about to become a thing of the past.
