Is my company number the same as my tax number?
The company number you receive from Companies House is not the same as the tax number you get from HMRC. You’ll be issued with several different numbers and codes for your new company, so it’s crucial to know what each one is and understand its distinct purpose.
Your company number or ‘company registration number (CRN)’ confirms your company’s existence as a legally incorporated entity. In contrast, your tax number is used by HMRC to identify your company for tax-related matters.
Both numbers are incredibly important, and you will need them frequently throughout the life of your company. Below, we explain these numbers in detail, including their formats, what they are used for, and where you can find them.
What is a company number?
A company number is officially referred to as a company registration number (CRN). Companies House issues a unique CRN to every new company immediately upon incorporation. This number serves to identify your company and verify its legal existence whenever needed.
Your CRN will appear on your certificate of incorporation and all official correspondence you receive from Companies House, making it an essential reference for your business.
The company registration number (CRN) is a unique combination of either 8 numbers or a mix of letters and numbers. The format varies based on the location of your incorporation within the UK and the specific legal structure you choose. For example, companies incorporated in England and Wales typically receive an 8-digit number, while Scottish or Northern Irish companies may have letters preceding the numbers.
Company numbers for limited companies
- England and Wales – your CRN will consist of 8 numbers (e.g. 12345678)
- Wales only – your CRN will consist of 8 numbers
- Scotland – the letters ‘SC’ followed by 6 numbers (e.g. SC123456)
- Northern Ireland – the letters ‘NI’ followed by 6 numbers
- Foreign companies establishing a place of business or branch in England and Wales – the letters ‘FC’ followed by 6 numbers
- Foreign companies in Scotland – the letters ‘SF’ followed by 6 numbers
- Foreign companies in Northern Ireland – the letters ‘NF’ followed by 6 numbers
For Northern Ireland companies registered before the partition of Ireland in 1922, the company registration numbers (CRNs) follow a slightly different format. These CRNs consist of 7 characters – starting with the letter ‘R’, followed by 6 numbers.
Company numbers for incorporated partnerships
- Limited liability partnership (LLP) – the letters ‘OC’ followed by 6 numbers
- Limited partnership (LP) in England and Wales – the letters ‘LP’ followed by 6 numbers
- Limited Partnership in Scotland – the letters ‘SL’ followed by 6 numbers
- Limited partnership in Northern Ireland – the letters ‘NL’ followed by 6 numbers
You cannot change your company registration number (CRN) or request a new one. It remains constant throughout the entire existence of your company. Even after your company is dissolved, no other business will ever be assigned the same number.
When will I use my company number?
You must provide your company registration number (CRN) whenever you contact or submit information to Companies House. Additionally, certain third parties, such as banks, lenders, suppliers, and service providers, may also require your CRN.
Specifically, you will need your company registration number in the following situations:
- Filing and updating details on your annual confirmation statement
- Submitting annual accounts to Companies House
- Registering with HMRC for Corporation Tax and VAT
- Registering as an employer and enrolling for Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
- Reporting changes to your company’s details
- Filing a return of allotment of shares (Companies House form SH01) when issuing company shares
- Completing a stock transfer form when transferring existing shares from one person to another
- Issuing share certificates
- Appointing and removing directors and company secretaries
- Filing Company Tax Returns and PAYE reports to HMRC
- Opening a business bank account
- Applying for business loans and supplier credit accounts
- Entering into any other type of contractual agreement through the company – e.g. with clients, suppliers, or service providers
By law, you must display your company registration number (CRN) on all forms of official business stationery. This includes your website, letterheads, emails, and promotional materials. Doing so enables both existing and prospective clients and suppliers to verify your company’s information by accessing its public record on Companies House. This ensures transparency and fosters trust in your business dealings.
Where to find your company number
You will first encounter your company registration number (CRN) when Companies House approves your incorporation application. It will appear at the top of your certificate of incorporation.
Additionally, you can find your CRN in the confirmation email you received from Companies House or your company formation agent upon the successful incorporation of your new company.
Any letters you receive from Companies House regarding your company will include your company registration number (CRN) as a reference. Additionally, you can find your CRN alongside your company’s registered particulars and filings on the public register of companies.
To access these details, simply search for your company online using the Companies House search service. This allows you to view all relevant company information.
What is a tax number?
Your company tax number, officially known as a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) or sometimes a Corporation Tax UTR, is a critical identifier for your business. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issues a company UTR to every newly incorporated business shortly after incorporation. This number is used to identify your company for all tax-related matters.
You will receive your company UTR in the first letter sent by HMRC to your registered office address. The number will appear at the top of the letter under headings like ‘Tax reference’ or ‘Reference’.
A company UTR consists of 10 digits, such as 1234567890, and allows HMRC to manage your company’s tax record. This includes verifying its tax status, identifying tax obligations, and linking your Company Tax Returns and Corporation Tax payments to your business.
When will I use my company tax number?
You’ll frequently need to use your company tax number (UTR) throughout the life of your business. Here are some key situations where you’ll need to provide it:
- Registering for Corporation Tax
- Telling HMRC that your company is dormant for Corporation Tax purposes
- Registering for VAT
- Registering as an employer and enrolling for PAYE
- Paying your Corporation Tax bill
- Paying your VAT bill
- Filing a Company Tax Return
- Submitting a VAT Return
- Paying employees and directors through PAYE
- Sending PAYE reports
- Telling HMRC about certain changes to your business
- Contacting HMRC about anything else relating to your company
Unlike your company registration number, your company UTR is not part of the public record and should be kept confidential. You should only share your UTR with HMRC and trusted individuals who manage your company’s tax affairs, such as your accountant or in-house finance team. Keeping this number secure is essential to prevent unauthorised access to your tax information.
Where to find your company tax number
You can find your company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) on any official correspondence that HMRC sends to your registered office address. Additionally, you can find it by logging into your HMRC business tax account online.
What happens if I can’t find my company UTR?
If you’re unable to find your company tax number, you can request a copy of your Corporation Tax UTR from HMRC. To do this, simply fill out a brief online request form, providing your company registration number and registered company name. HMRC will then send a copy of your UTR to your registered office address.
However, you won’t be able to request a copy of your UTR in the following situations:
- you recently incorporated the company (your tax number should arrive at your registered address soon)
- your company has been officially closed, dissolved, or struck off and is no longer on the Companies House register
- you changed the company to a different type of structure, meaning that it’s no longer a registered company
Newly incorporated companies typically receive their UTR within 14 days of incorporation. If you haven’t received it within this timeframe, you should contact the Corporation Tax helpline at 0300 200 3410.
An advisor can check if a tax record has been created for your company and whether the letter containing your UTR has been sent. If needed, they can reissue the letter.
Is my company UTR the same as my Self Assessment UTR?
Your company UTR differs from the personal UTR you get when you register for Self Assessment as an individual. Although both contain 10 numbers, your personal UTR relates to your individual tax obligations through Self Assessment and doesn’t affect your company’s tax matters.
As a company shareholder or director, you usually need to register for Self Assessment to report income from dividends, directors’ loans, and other untaxed earnings. You’ll use your personal UTR to log into your Self Assessment account, file your personal tax returns, and pay any tax owed on income not taxed via PAYE.
Is my company tax number the same as my VAT number?
Your company tax number differs from your VAT number. The UTR identifies your company for all tax-related purposes, while your VAT number is specific to VAT.
To get a VAT number, you must register for VAT with HMRC, meaning not all companies will have one. However, every company, even dormant or non-trading ones, has a UTR. Sometimes called a VAT registration number, it consists of 9 digits, often prefixed by ‘GB’ (e.g., GB123456789).
If your company is based in Northern Ireland and trades goods with the EU, your VAT number will start with ‘XI’ instead of ‘GB’.
Do you have any other questions?
A company’s Company Registration Number (CRN) and Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) are not the same. The CRN is assigned by Companies House when the company is formed, while the UTR is issued by HMRC for tax purposes. Both numbers serve different functions, and it’s important to know when to use each.
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