Pamela8 Voets

Hi again, As noted on this forum by others who have tried to register for self-assessment tax online, the relevant HMRC website requires a National Insurance number and will not allow access without one. However, senior citizens like myself cannot obtain a NI number since, having reached the state pension age of 65, they no longer pay National Insurance contributions and therefore do not need - and will not be issued - a NI number. As a result, anyone over 65 who does not have a NI number cannot pay tax using HMRC’s online service. Apparently people in this situation can only file a tax return by post using a paper tax form. This can be downloaded from the HMRC website (no NI number required). Note that the paper Self-Assessment tax form has to be returned by 31st October (as opposed to the deadline of 31st January for online tax returns). Anyone filing a Self-Assessment tax return also needs a UTR (Unique Tax Reference). This is normally obtained by registering with HMRC online, but since this is not possible without a NI number, the only way to obtain a UTR is by writing to HMRC and asking for one. I hope this helps.

I have exactly the same problem. I have never worked in the UK and am now retired and so National Insurance will not issue me with a NI number. I have tried to register for self assessment without one and it is simply not possible. I wrote to HMRC about it and they opened a self assessment account for me and have also issued a NINO but since it is not in the standard format, it is rejected as invalid and I still cannot access the online account they created for me.