Company UTR Number: Where to Find It & When You Need It
- A company UTR is a 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference HMRC uses to identify your company for Corporation Tax.
- It's issued automatically after incorporation and posted to your registered office, usually within about two weeks.
- It's different from your personal UTR — a director can have both.
- Find it on HMRC's "Welcome to Corporation Tax" letter, other HMRC post, a past Company Tax Return, or your Business Tax Account.
- You need it to register for and pay Corporation Tax, file your CT600, and authorise an accountant.
- Lost it? Request it from HMRC online and they'll post it to your registered office.
Set up a limited company and one of the first pieces of post you'll get from HMRC contains a number you'll use for the life of the business: your company UTR. It's easy to file away and forget — until you suddenly need it to file a return, pay Corporation Tax, or get your accountant set up. This guide explains exactly what a company UTR is, how it differs from your personal one, where to find it, and what to do if it's gone missing.
What is a company UTR number?
A company UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) is a 10-digit number HMRC assigns to your limited company to identify it for Corporation Tax. Every company registered for Corporation Tax has one, and it stays the same for as long as the company exists.
You don't apply for it separately. When you incorporate a limited company, Companies House automatically tells HMRC, and HMRC issues the UTR and posts it to your registered office address — usually within about two weeks of incorporation, in a letter often headed "Welcome to Corporation Tax". Keep that letter safe; it's the easiest place to find the number later.
Importantly, the UTR stays with the company for its entire life. It doesn't change if you move offices, change the company name, bring in new directors or switch accountants — the only time it stops being used is when the company is closed and struck off. That permanence is exactly why it's worth recording somewhere safe from day one.
Company UTR vs personal UTR
This is where people get confused. Both are 10-digit UTRs, but they belong to different taxpayers:
| Company UTR | Personal UTR | |
|---|---|---|
| Belongs to | The company | You as an individual |
| Used for | Corporation Tax | Self Assessment |
| Found in | Business Tax Account | Personal Tax Account / HMRC app |
A company director will often have both: a personal UTR for their own Self Assessment and a separate company UTR for the business. If it's your personal Self Assessment number you're after, see our guide to what a UTR number is and how to find your personal one. The rest of this article is about the company UTR.
Where do you find your company UTR?
Your company UTR appears in several reliable places:
- The "Welcome to Corporation Tax" letter HMRC posted to your registered office after incorporation
- Any HMRC letter about Corporation Tax — notices to deliver a return, payment reminders and statements
- A previous Company Tax Return (CT600) or the accounts and computations filed with it
- Your company's Business Tax Account when you sign in to HMRC online
- Your accountant's records — if we act for you, we'll have it on file
On HMRC letters it's usually labelled "UTR" or "tax reference" and sits near the company name and address. Note that when you actually pay Corporation Tax, HMRC uses a longer 17-character payment reference based on your UTR but specific to each accounting period — so always use the reference on that period's payslip or online account, not the bare 10-digit UTR, when making a payment.
When do you need your company UTR?
You'll be asked for the company UTR at most key moments in the company's tax life:
- Registering for Corporation Tax with HMRC after incorporation
- Filing your Company Tax Return (CT600) each year
- Paying Corporation Tax (via the period-specific payment reference built on your UTR)
- Authorising an accountant or agent to deal with HMRC on your behalf
- Contacting HMRC about anything Corporation Tax related
In short, you can't run the company's Corporation Tax affairs without it. If you'd rather not juggle references and deadlines at all, our company tax return service handles the CT600, the computations and the filing for you — UTR and all.
What if you can't find your company UTR?
If you've lost the letter or never seem to have received it, don't panic — you can get it back:
- Request it online. On gov.uk, search "find your UTR number" and choose the option to request your Corporation Tax UTR. You'll need your company registration number and registered company name.
- HMRC posts it to your registered office. For security, HMRC generally sends the UTR by post to the company's registered address rather than showing it on screen, so make sure that address is up to date.
- Check your Business Tax Account or ask your accountant, which is often the fastest route if you're already set up.
⚠️ Keep your UTR private. Your company UTR is used to authorise agents and deal with HMRC, so treat it like sensitive data. Share it only with your genuine accountant or HMRC — never in response to an unexpected email or text, which is a common scam.
Frequently asked questions
Is a company UTR the same as a company registration number?
No. The company registration number (CRN) is an 8-character number issued by Companies House when you incorporate. The company UTR is a separate 10-digit number issued by HMRC for Corporation Tax. You often need both, and you'll use your CRN to request your UTR if it's lost.
How long does it take to get a company UTR?
HMRC usually issues the UTR automatically and posts it to your registered office within about two weeks of incorporation. If it hasn't arrived, you can request it online and HMRC will send it to the registered address.
Can I find my company UTR online?
Yes, if you have access. Sign in to your company's Business Tax Account on HMRC online, where the Corporation Tax UTR is shown. If you don't have online access set up, you can request the UTR and HMRC will post it to your registered office.
Is my company UTR the same as my personal UTR?
No. Your personal UTR is for your own Self Assessment; your company UTR is for the company's Corporation Tax. Both are 10 digits, but they identify different taxpayers, and a director often holds both.
We'll register your company for Corporation Tax, keep your UTR and deadlines on file, and prepare and file your CT600 every year. Fixed fee, no jargon. Get a quote or message us today.
Related: our limited company services, our company tax return service, and our guide to personal UTR numbers. Official guidance is on the gov.uk find your UTR number page.
