If you live outside the UK and need to contact HMRC—for Self Assessment, National Insurance, VAT, or Child Benefit—you face two problems: expensive international call rates and notoriously long hold times.
This guide covers the international numbers for each HMRC department, the cheapest ways to call, and how to prepare so you spend less time (and money) on the phone.
Why is calling HMRC from abroad so expensive?
Two factors combine to make HMRC calls costly from overseas: high international rates and long wait times.
Carrier international rates
Without a plan that covers the UK, your carrier charges its standard per-minute international rate, which varies by carrier and plan. Carriers list these on their international calling pages.
HMRC wait times
HMRC's call handling has been consistently criticized by UK oversight bodies. In 2023-24, average wait times to speak with an adviser exceeded 23 minutes. Some callers reported being disconnected after waiting over an hour because the system couldn't handle the volume.
The math adds up: every minute of a 23-minute hold is billed at your per-minute rate before you speak to anyone. If the call drops, you start over.
When you can't avoid calling
HMRC encourages online services, but phone contact is still necessary for complex issues, disputes, or queries not covered by digital services. For those overseas, an affordable calling method is essential.
What are the cheapest ways to call HMRC from abroad?
VoIP (Voice over IP) services let you call UK numbers through the internet.
VoIP services
Services like DialHard and Viber Out call UK landlines and mobiles over the internet.
DialHard: Browser-based (no app needed). Rates from $0.07/minute to the UK. The credit you buy doesn't expire. Your first top-up can be $5; after that, top-ups are $20 or $50. US toll-free calls complete 98% of the time. DialHard bills calls to US toll-free numbers per minute, at the rate the dialer shows before you dial.
Viber Out: App-based calling feature. Rates from $0.019/minute. Minimum ~$5. Credit expires after 180 days without use.
Google Voice: Free for US residents—calls to UK landlines are free, mobiles around $0.02/minute. Only available to US residents with a US phone number.
UK toll-free numbers (0800/0808)
UK 0800 and 0808 numbers are free to call within the UK. When calling from abroad, international charges typically apply. DialHard bills UK 0800 and 0808 numbers at their normal per-minute rate.
UK 03 numbers
HMRC uses 03 numbers (0300, 0345) extensively. Within the UK, these cost the same as local calls. From abroad, they're charged like any other UK number on the service you use.
What are the HMRC international phone numbers?
HMRC provides specific international numbers for overseas callers. When dialing from abroad, use the +44 format (dropping the leading 0 from UK numbers).
| Department | International Number | Hours (UK Time) | Best Time to Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self Assessment | +44 161 931 9070 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Before 10am |
| Income Tax | +44 135 535 9022 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Before 10am |
| National Insurance | +44 191 203 7010 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Mid-week, mid-morning |
| VAT | +44 2920 501 261 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | 8:30am-11am |
| Child Benefit | +44 161 210 3086 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Early morning |
| Tax Credits | +44 2890 538 192 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Tue-Thu 2pm-4pm |
| Non-UK Residents (Self Assessment/PAYE/VAT) | +44 300 322 7657 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm | Early morning |
| Non-UK Residents (CGT/SDLT/Corp Tax) | +44 300 322 9206 | Mon-Fri 8am-5pm | Early morning |
Through DialHard, calls to UK numbers start at $0.07/minute.
Time zone considerations
Convert UK hours to your local time before calling:
- US East Coast: UK is 5 hours ahead (8am UK = 3am EST)
- US West Coast: UK is 8 hours ahead (8am UK = midnight PST)
- Australia (Sydney): UK is 9-11 hours behind depending on daylight saving
Early morning UK time often means shorter queues—but may require calling late at night or very early morning from your location.
What should I prepare before calling HMRC?
Preparation reduces call time—and with long queues, every minute counts. Have everything ready before you dial.
Essential information for all HMRC calls
- National Insurance (NI) number — Primary identifier for most interactions
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — Required for Self Assessment queries
- Personal details — Full name, address as registered with HMRC, date of birth
- Government Gateway ID — For online account issues
- Relevant tax year and amounts — Be specific about what you're calling about
- Any HMRC correspondence — Reference numbers, letters, notices
Department-specific information
- VAT: VAT registration number, postcode associated with registration
- Child Benefit: Child's birth certificate details, bank details, partner's NI number
- Tax Credits: Income details, childcare arrangements, working hours
Tips for navigating HMRC's phone system
- Speak clearly: HMRC uses voice recognition—enunciate at a natural pace
- Take notes: Write down reference numbers, agent names, and advice given
- Call at optimal times: Early morning UK time (8-10am) and mid-week tend to have shorter queues
- Be patient: HMRC agents handle high volumes. A calm approach helps.
Summary
The problem: HMRC wait times average 23+ minutes, all of it billed per minute when you call from abroad.
The approach: Call over VoIP or a plan that covers the UK, check the per-minute rate before you dial, and call early in the UK morning, when queues tend to be shorter.
Key numbers:
- Self Assessment: +44 161 931 9070
- Income Tax: +44 135 535 9022
- National Insurance: +44 191 203 7010
- Non-UK Residents (general): +44 300 322 7657
Before you call: Have your NI number, UTR (for Self Assessment), and any reference numbers ready. Call early morning UK time (8-10am) for shorter queues.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to call HMRC from the US?
It depends on how you call. Through DialHard, UK numbers start at $0.07/minute, billed per minute. Through your carrier, its standard international rate applies unless your plan covers the UK.
Can I call UK 0800 numbers for free from abroad?
Not through regular carriers—international charges apply. DialHard bills them at their normal per-minute rate too.
What's the best time to call HMRC from abroad?
Early morning UK time (8-10am) typically has shorter queues. From the US East Coast, that's 3-5am EST. From the West Coast, that's midnight-2am PST. Mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) is generally better than Monday or Friday.
How do I dial UK numbers from abroad?
Use the international format: +44 followed by the UK number without the leading 0. So 0161 931 9070 becomes +44 161 931 9070.
What if my call gets disconnected while on hold?
You'll need to redial and start the queue again, which means paying for the wait twice—another reason to call at the quieter times above.
Start calling today
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