HMRC is accelerating its move away from paper letters and towards digital communication. From spring 2026, most routine correspondence will stop arriving by post and will instead be delivered online, with email or app alerts prompting you to log in and view new documents.

This change forms part of HMRC’s wider “digital by default” strategy, which aims for around 90% of interactions to be online by the 2029/30 tax year. HMRC estimates the move will save around £50 million a year in printing and postage costs.

What’s changing

Instead of receiving a letter through the post, taxpayers will receive:

• an email or app notification, and
• a prompt to log in to their Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app to view new correspondence.

The alert itself won’t include tax details — it simply lets you know that something new is waiting in your account.

Anyone already using the HMRC app or an online tax account will be among the first to move across. When logging in, users will be asked to confirm or provide an email address or mobile number, which HMRC will use only for notification purposes.

Who will still get paper letters

HMRC has confirmed that paper correspondence won’t disappear entirely.

You’ll continue to receive letters by post if:

• you are digitally excluded,
• you don’t use HMRC’s online services, or
• you actively opt out of digital correspondence.

Safeguards will remain in place for elderly taxpayers and those with disabilities who rely on traditional communication. Paper versions will still be available and must meet the same clarity standards as digital messages.

Legal backing and rollout

The Finance Bill 2025/26 will give HMRC the power to require digital contact details from people who use its online services. The rollout will start in spring 2026 and expand gradually as HMRC updates its systems.

HMRC’s stated aim is to free up staff time so more support is available for those who need it most, while improving the speed and reliability of communications.

What this means in practice

For many people, this change should mean:

• quicker access to HMRC letters,
• fewer delays caused by post, and
• a lower risk of important documents going missing.

The flip side is that it becomes more important to:

• keep your email address and mobile number up to date,
• check your online tax account regularly, and
• make sure notifications don’t get lost in a busy inbox.

Missed messages can still lead to missed deadlines — even if no paper letter arrives.

A sensible next step

If you’re already using HMRC’s online services, it’s worth logging in now to check your contact details and make sure you’re comfortable accessing correspondence digitally. If you’re not, it’s a good time to decide whether digital access works for you or whether opting out makes more sense.

If you’re unsure how this affects you, or you want help staying on top of HMRC correspondence alongside your wider finances, talk to us. Clear communication and fewer surprises make everything easier.