HMRC has issued a warning to UK taxpayers about an increase in scams linked to self assessment tax returns, as the January 31 deadline for the 2025/26 tax year approaches. Official figures show that more than 4,800 self assessment-related scam reports have been made to HMRC since February 2025, within a broader total of over 135,500 suspected scam incidents reported in the same period.
Scammers are using a variety of methods, including fake emails, text messages and phone calls, to impersonate HMRC and target individuals completing their tax returns. These fraudulent communications often seek to obtain personal information or banking details by offering false refunds, threatening penalties or urging urgent action.
HMRC has emphasised that it will never contact taxpayers by email, text or phone to ask for sensitive information such as passwords, bank details or authentication codes. Individuals are encouraged to verify any correspondence by accessing their official HMRC online account or the HMRC app, and to report suspicious contact via the appropriate channels.
In addition to the warning, HMRC has launched a new reporting tool designed to help users flag unusual or potentially fraudulent activity in their online tax accounts. This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to protect taxpayers and reduce fraud as the self assessment filing deadline nears.
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