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HMRC Sign In Problems and How to Recover Your Government Gateway ID
Official recovery routes for Government Gateway access problems, Corporation Tax enrolment checks and what to do near a filing deadline.
Government Gateway credentials are used for HMRC services. Companies House WebFiling uses GOV.UK One Login, a separate sign-in system.
Recover access
Start from HMRC’s official sign-in help. Choose the recovery option for your user ID, password or access code. Follow the current screen requirements rather than an old password-length rule. Never share passwords or access codes in a public post.
A Government Gateway user ID is normally 12 digits. It is different from your UTR, company number and Companies House authentication code. If you cannot complete recovery, use the support route linked by HMRC; creating another account does not automatically restore tax-service access.
A locked account or missing access code
Stop repeated attempts and follow HMRC’s lockout and recovery instructions. Use another offered access-code method where available. Identity checks depend on the service and circumstances; there is no universal rule requiring an SA1 application after three failed checks.
You can sign in but cannot see Corporation Tax
Check that you are using the account authorised for the company and that Corporation Tax access has been activated for its UTR. Successful website sign-in is not proof that a particular return can be filed by software.
A deadline is approaching
Do not submit a knowingly incomplete or inaccurate return just to obtain a receipt. Keep evidence of access problems, contact HMRC, and file an accurate return as soon as possible. A service outage does not automatically cancel penalties; follow HMRC’s reasonable-excuse appeal process if a penalty is issued.
Filing through Unfiled
Unfiled submits supported CT600 returns only on your instruction after checks and declaration. It cannot bypass HMRC authentication. For a rejected sign-in, see error 1046. An uncertain submission must be reconciled before another attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Signed in? File your company's Corporation Tax return next
Once your Government Gateway login works, Unfiled prepares your accounts and CT600 in plain English and submits it straight to HMRC — no HMRC software to wrestle with. Your first submission is free.
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