Check if a QR code on a letter you've received from HMRC is genuine
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-02)

Check a list of letters with a QR code from HMRC to help you decide if it is genuine.

Letters and leaflets from HMRC may contain a QR code which you can scan for further information or help.

If your letter is not listed on this page:
- check if a letter you’ve received from HMRC is genuine (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-letter-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine)
- check HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-genuine-hmrc-contact-that-uses-more-than-one-communication-method)
Report suspicious phone calls, emails or texts to HMRC (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/reporting-fraudulent-emails).

Child Benefit leaflet — claim online

HMRC provides hospitals with leaflets for new parents which encourages them to claim Child Benefit online after registering their baby’s birth.

The QR code on this leaflet takes you to our guidance on how to make a Child Benefit claim (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim).

HMRC app leaflet and envelope

In some letters you receive, you may find:
- an HMRC app leaflet
- a QR code on the envelope
The QR code on the envelope and the leaflet takes you to our guidance about the HMRC app (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app), which includes information about:
- what the app does
- how to access the app
Letter CGT LPP — pay taxes, penalties or enquiry settlements

You may receive a letter if you have been charged a late payment penalty.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on paying taxes, penalties or enquiry settlements (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-taxes-penalties-and-enquiry-settlements).

Letter CH(A)410 — termination notification

You may receive a letter if you are no longer entitled to Child Benefit.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on asking us to reconsider a Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance decision (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-benefit-and-guardians-allowance-appeal-form).

Letter CH(A)1700 — award notification

You may receive a letter regarding your entitlement if you applied for or receive Child Benefit.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on Child Benefit payment dates (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-payment-dates).

Letter CH(A)1708 — High Income Child Benefit Charge opt in or out notification

You may receive a letter if you have opted in or out of getting Child Benefit payments.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on High Income Child Benefit Charge (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge).

Letter CHB297B — full time non-advanced education

You will receive a letter before your child turns 16, if you claim Child Benefit. This letter will:
- ask you to confirm if your child is staying in education or training
- include a QR code that takes you to our guidance where you can extend your claim online (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19), if you need to
Letter CTY50 — charities

You may receive a letter with the outcome of your application to act as an official for a charitable organisation.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on who can run your charity’s finances (https://www.gov.uk/who-can-run-charity-finances).

Letter EA2 — Employment Allowance

You may receive a letter regarding your entitlement if you applied or receive Employment Allowance.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on Employment Allowance (https://www.gov.uk/claim-employment-allowance). You can find out:
- if you are eligible
- how to claim
Letter MGD7 — Machine Games Duty

You may receive a notice of assessment when our records show a Machine Games Duty return is outstanding.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on Machine Games Duty (https://www.gov.uk/machine-game-duty).

Letter OCA43

You may receive a letter if you have been charged with unpaid Income Tax.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on paying your Self Assessment tax bill (https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill).

Letter OCAD31 — what to do after someone dies

You may receive a letter if you have had a bereavement.

The QR code on the letter will take you to our guidance on what to do after someone dies (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death).

Letter P2 — tax code notice

You may receive a letter if your tax code changes.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on tax codes (https://www.gov.uk/tax-codes). You can find out:
- why your tax code may have changed
- how to update your tax code
Letter P1000 — what to do after someone dies

You may receive a letter if you have had a bereavement.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on what to do after someone dies (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death).

Letter PPT13 — Plastic Packaging Tax: central assessment charge notice

You may receive a central assessment charge notice when our records show a Plastic Packaging Tax return is outstanding.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on Plastic Packaging Tax (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-to-register-for-plastic-packaging-tax).

Letter RP07007/CA2762 — deferment of National Insurance

You may receive a letter if you applied for deferment of National Insurance.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on deferring your National Insurance (https://www.gov.uk/defer-national-insurance).

Letter RTI200 — PAYE payments

You may receive a letter if you make PAYE payments.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on paying employers’ PAYE (https://www.gov.uk/pay-paye-tax).

Letter RTI201 — credit on PAYE account

You may receive a letter about credit on your PAYE account.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on PAYE: detailed information (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/paye-detailed-information).

Letter SA250 — Self Assessment welcome letter

You will receive a welcome letter when you register for Self Assessment using your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).

The QR code on the letter takes you to our contact information for Self Assessment (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/self-assessment). This page will tell you how you can contact HMRC about Self Assessment.

Letter SA300 — Self Assessment statement

You may receive a summary of your Self Assessment balance of payments.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on understanding your Self Assessment statement (https://www.gov.uk/understand-self-assessment-bill).

Letter SA316 — Self Assessment Notice to file

You may receive a Notice to file when our records show that you need to send us a Self Assessment tax return.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on how to file your tax return online (https://www.gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return).

Letter SDLT13

You may receive a letter when our records show a Stamp Duty Land Tax Return is outstanding.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on Stamp Duty Land Tax (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-stamp-duty-land-tax).

Letter VAT85 — approval to use the Flat Rate Scheme

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for the VAT Flat Rate Scheme.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/vat-flat-rate-scheme).

Letter VAT164, VAT165 and VAT166 — VAT notice of assessment of tax and surcharge liability notice extension

You may receive a VAT notice of assessment with a VAT assessment calculation.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on sending a VAT Return (https://www.gov.uk/submit-vat-return).

Letter VAT620 — Annual Accounting Scheme Removal

You may receive a letter if you pay VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on the VAT Annual Accounting Scheme (https://www.gov.uk/vat-annual-accounting-scheme).

Letter VAT658 — VAT notice of assessment of further interest

You may receive a letter if you pay VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on paying your VAT bill (https://www.gov.uk/pay-vat).

Letter VRT6, VRT8, VRT9, VRT11, and VRT22 — VAT registration approved

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on VAT (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vat-detailed-information).

Letter VRT18 — VAT registration

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on appealing to the tax tribunal (https://www.gov.uk/tax-tribunal).

Letter VRT19 — VAT registration (authorised signature required)

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for VAT.

The QR Code on the letter takes you to our guidance on how to register for VAT (https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat/how-register-for-vat).

Letter VRT20 — VAT registration (future date)

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on disagreeing with a tax decision or penalty (https://www.gov.uk/tax-appeals).

Letter VRT21 — VAT registration (Insufficient Evidence)

You may receive a letter if you made an application to register for VAT.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on disagreeing with a tax decision or penalty (https://www.gov.uk/tax-appeals).

National Insurance number notification letter

You may receive a letter regarding your National Insurance number.

The QR code on the letter takes you to our guidance on downloading the HMRC app (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app).

Other letters you should check

You can also:
- check if a letter you’ve received from HMRC is genuine (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-a-letter-youve-received-from-hmrc-is-genuine)
- check HMRC contact that uses more than one communication method (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-genuine-hmrc-contact-that-uses-more-than-one-communication-method)