Brits could soon be getting fewer letters from HMRC as part of a major update to the national tax system. The distinctive brown letters may become a thing of the past for millions of people.
The government body, responsible for collecting the money which funds public services, first outlined the plans earlier this year. Recently, the Budget has confirmed that the switch to digital letters will start from April 2026.
The move is set to lead to major changes for the estimated 37.4 million Brits who pay taxes each year. Digitising the service should claw back an estimated £50m spent on print and postage costs by HMRC.
A spokesperson for HMRC said: « Customers will be notified promptly when new correspondence is available in their digital tax account, helping them stay informed and take timely action. It reduces the risk of missing important updates, simplifies record-keeping, and allows customers to manage their tax affairs with greater confidence and control. »
Historically, the tax office has been hesitant to use email to communicate with Brits due to data security concerns. However, it now claims that digital communication will make it simpler and faster for people to manage their tax affairs.
When will these digital letters start coming?
The letter-based system between HMRC and taxpayers will move to a ‘digital by default’ model from April 2026. As part of this, HMRC customers will find ‘digital letters’ uploaded directly to their HMRC account instead of receiving physical letters sent in the post.
A spokesperson for consumer watchdog group Which? wrote: « As the rollout begins, HMRC will ask you to confirm your contact details when you sign in. Once confirmed, paper letters will stop. HMRC will never ask you to provide this information by phone, text or email. »
Letters will be available to read on desktop, laptop and mobile browsers as well as in the HMRC app. More than 5.6 million people have used the HMRC app since April 2025. People can download the app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
Can I opt out of this digital service?
The first groups affected will be people who already use the HMRC app, online Personal Tax Account (PTA) or Business Tax Account (BTA). HMRC has confirmed that no one will be forced to move to digital services if they prefer paper.
Making a post on X, a HMRC spokesperson said: « From April 2026, we’re moving towards digital by default. Notifications, reminders, and updates will start coming through the HMRC app and online services instead of post. Not all letters will change at once, and paper options will still be available for those who need them. »
The digital system may not be suited for everyone, and HMRC does allow the option for people to continue getting physical post. To opt out, simply don’t provide or confirm your electronic communication details when prompted by HMRC.
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