HMRC contact number: how to reach a real person

Call-tested by OsmO on

  • Difficulty 100/100 · Hard
  • 6 menus · 6 options
  • 7 steps

Quick answer: call HMRC at 0300 200 3300, then wait about 3.5 min, then say “no”, then say “self assessment”, then say “yes”, then say “yes”, then say “no”, then wait about 20 min. When we called on Oct 29, 2026, it put us through to the queue for a person in about 5 min.

Contact 0300 200 3300 Mon–Fri 8am–6pm (per gov.uk)
Call

Fastest way to a person:

  1. Wait ~3.5 minRecorded messages
  2. Say “no”Skip the survey
  3. Say “self assessment”Why you are calling
  4. Say “yes”Confirm
  5. Say “yes”Your own tax
  6. Say “no”Skip the info replay
  7. Wait ~20 minQuoted wait time
  8. A real person
  • About 5 min of messages before the adviser queue, then a quoted 20-minute wait
  • Number from gov.uk

Don’t want to wait on hold? OsmO can call HMRC, press the keys and wait for you.

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The full HMRC phone menu

Every option we heard when we called on Oct 29, 2026. There are no keys to press at the start: HMRC plays about three and a half minutes of recorded messages, then a voice system asks why you are calling. Have your National Insurance number or UTR ready; without one the line says advisers can only give general advice.

Fastest pathHold queue for a person
  • Hold through the recorded messages (about 3.5 min)“Please have your national insurance number or unique taxpayer reference, UTR, ready… The recent average wait on this line was 20 minutes.” Then messages about P800 tax calculations and online services.1 option
    • “Would you like to take part?” in a 4-question survey: say “no”1 option
      • “Tell me in a few words what’s the reason for your call”: say “self assessment”It then offers choices such as “pensioners” or “tax code”.1 option
        • “It’s about Self Assessment, is that right?” Say “yes”1 option
          • “Are you calling about your own tax?” Say “yes”In our test we said “no”, and it then asked “Are you calling as an agent?” before moving on.1 option
            • “Would you like to hear that information again?” Say “no”“Please hold and you will be connected to the next available advisor.” No adviser answered in the 3.5 minutes we held.Hold queue for a person

Skip the menu: let OsmO call HMRC for you

OsmO is an AI phone assistant app. Tell it what you need and it makes the call: it listens to the HMRC menu, presses the keys, waits on hold, and rings you the moment a person picks up.

A customer service call on hold for 40 minutes while OsmO waits
  • Navigates phone menus. Listens to every option and presses the right keys for you.
  • Waits on hold. You get on with your day; OsmO holds the line.
  • Hands you the call. When a person answers, tap to take over, or let OsmO finish and send you a summary.
  • Cuts the noise. OsmO also screens spam and robocalls, so the calls that reach you are the ones that matter.
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HMRC customer service FAQ

What is HMRC’s contact number?

0300 200 3300. We took it from gov.uk and called it ourselves on Oct 29, 2026.

What are HMRC’s customer service hours?

GOV.UK lists this Income Tax line as open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, closed on bank holidays. In our test at about 8am UK time on a Thursday the line said the recent average wait was 20 minutes.

Is there a HMRC number that’s open 24/7?

Not for general customer service. Outside Mon–Fri 8am–6pm (per gov.uk), call back during open hours.

How do I skip the automated menu?

Call 0300 200 3300, then wait about 3.5 min, then say “no”, then say “self assessment”, then say “yes”, then say “yes”, then say “no”, then wait about 20 min. That reached the queue for a person in our test.

How long is the wait to talk to someone?

About 5 min of messages before the adviser queue, then a quoted 20-minute wait on Oct 29, 2026. We did not stay on hold after that, so the hold time for a person is not measured.

How hard is the HMRC phone menu?

We rate it 100/100 (Hard). It took 7 steps to reach a person, across 6 menus with 6 options. Our score adds 10 for every key or spoken step on the way, 10 for every forced wait, 5 per minute until a person and 1 for every menu.

Can someone call HMRC for me?

Yes. OsmO, an AI phone assistant app, can call HMRC, press the keys and wait on hold for you.

How do I speak to a person at HMRC?

Call 0300 200 3300. Hold through about three and a half minutes of recorded messages, decline the survey, then say the reason for your call (for example “self assessment”) and confirm. You are then put in the adviser queue.

How long is the wait for HMRC?

The line itself said the recent average wait was 20 minutes when we called at about 8am UK time on a Thursday.

What do I need before calling HMRC?

Your National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). The recorded message says that without it advisers can only offer general advice.

What are HMRC's opening hours?

GOV.UK lists the Income Tax line 0300 200 3300 as open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and closed on bank holidays.

How we tested this

OsmO is not affiliated with HMRC. The number comes from HMRC’s own website. Menus change; ours was tested on Oct 29, 2026.

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