UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference)

you-tee-AR

Formal Neutral

What it really means

A 10-digit number HMRC gives you when you register for Self Assessment, used to identify you for tax. It is different from your National Insurance number. You need it to file a tax return.

Chinese explanation

UTR（唯一纳税人参考号）：你注册 Self Assessment 时 HMRC 发给你的 10 位数字，用于税务识别，与国民保险号不同。报税时需要用它。

Example conversation

A: The tax return form is asking for a UTR. B: That's the ten-digit number HMRC sent when you registered.

A：报税表要填 UTR。 B：就是你注册时 HMRC 发来的那个 10 位数字。

What you could say back

“Where do I find my UTR if I've lost it?”

Related phrases

Self Assessment Sole trader National Insurance number

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake