Corresponding with HMRC by email
HMRC takes the security of personal information very seriously.
About the risks
The main risks associated with using email that concern HMRC are:
confidentiality/privacy - there is a risk that emails sent over the internet may be intercepted
confirming your identity - it is crucial that we only communicate with established contacts at their
correct email addresses
there is no guarantee that an email received over an insecure network, like the internet, has not been
altered during transit
attachments could contain a virus or malicious code
How we can reduce the risks
We will desensitise information, for example by only quoting part of any unique reference numbers. We can
also use encryption. We are happy to discuss how you may do the same but still provide the information we
need.
If you don’t want to use email
You may prefer that we don’t respond to your enquiry by email, for example because other people have
access to your email account. If so, we are happy to respond by an alternative method. We will agree this with
you either by telephone, fax or in writing via post.
If you do want to use email
If you would like me to respond to your query by email, we will need you to confirm in writing by post, email or
fax:
that you understand and accept the risks of using email
that you are content for financial information to be sent by email
that attachments can be used
Contacting you direct
If you would like us to contact you direct, we will need you to confirm:
the names and email addresses of staff within your organisation with whom we may correspond by
email
that you have ensured that your spam filters are not set to reject and/or automatically delete HMRC
emails
Contacting your agent
If you would like us to contact authorised representatives of your organisation’s agents, we will need you to
confirm their names and email addresses.
How we use your agreement
Your confirmation will be held on file and will apply to future email correspondence. We will review the
agreement at regular intervals to ensure there are no changes.
If we receive email from someone we don’t recognise
If we receive email contact from someone we don’t recognise from the information you gave us, we will verify
the position with you before responding.
Opting out
You may opt out of using email at any time by letting us know.
More information
For more information on HMRC’s privacy policy, visi
t http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/privacy.htm