Government Gateway accounts to be replaced

If you file your Self-assessment Tax Return online, you’ll use a Government Gateway account to login.

However, this is going to change over the next three years. This is because the government is investing £305 million in something called the GOV.UK One Login. This will allow you to use a a single login to access all of central government’s online services.

Access to all services

Once the new login system is up and running, you’ll not only be able to use your GOV.UK One Login to deal with HMRC, but you’ll also be able to use it for services such as student loans, Universal Credit, DBS checks and visa applications. Currently, many services require separate online accounts.

More secure than the Government Gateway

The new GOV.UK One Login will be more secure than the current Government Gateway. This is because it will require two-factor authentication. When you sign in, you’ll have to verify your identity via a text message or by using a special authenticator app.

The new system is also designed to be more inclusive. If you can’t prove your identity with documents such as a passport or a driving licence, you’ll have other options. The system will also have smart counter-fraud measures to ensure account holders are who they say they are.

When with GOV.UK One Login be introduced?

The GOV.UK One Login will be introduced for HMRC customers from Spring 2024. HMRC has said: “Initially, only a small number of users will be able to access HMRC services through GOV.UK One Login, with volumes building gradually over time. There will be no sudden switch-off of the Government Gateway service.”

You won’t need to contact HMRC. At some point over the next three years, all HMRC customers will be invited to set up a GOV.UK One Login account. In the meantime, you’ll still be able to use your existing Government Gateway account.

Will my accountant be able to access GOV.UK One Login?

If we are currently your accountant, we’ll normally use the Government Gateway to file your tax returns. When the new system is in place, we’ll be able to use that too. However, government has yet to publish guidance on how accountants’ and tax agents’ accounts will work.

I need an HMRC account. What do I do?

If you currently need to open an HMRC online account (for example, because you’ve just become self-employed), you’ll still need to open a Government Gateway account. You can do this here. At some point in the near future, though, you’ll be directed to open a new GOV.UK One Login account. Customers who currently don’t have a Government Gateway account will be among the first to be invited to create a GOV.UK One Login.

Where can I find out more?

If you want to learn more about the service that is replacing the Government Gateway, HMRC has published guidance here. However, we must stress that if you have a Government Gateway account, you don’t need to do anything until asked to by HMRC. People will be added to the new system gradually, so there’s nothing to worry about as you’ll still be able to login using your existing account.