If you’ve been using GOV.UK’s Verify programme to report your tax position, you need to prepare your alternative.
What is Verify?
Verify is a UK government programme that began in 2016. It’s “a secure way to prove who you are online…where you do not need to prove your identity in person or wait for something to arrive in the post.”
In other words, you Verify account is proof of identify in order to access government services online.
Verify still exists, but is being wound down. As of mid-December 2022, no new Verify accounts will be created. And by April 2023, no one will be able to access any service through their existing Verify account.
Government departments that previously used it are transitioning to other systems as of 1st April 2022. This includes HMRC (Her Majestys Revenue and Customs).
What do I use in stead of Verify?
You need to think about this if you’ve been using the Verify system to access any of your online financial information. Perhaps you’ve used it to file your self assessment tax return, or to check your income tax position.
You don’t want to be confronted with a ‘this system is now closed’ situation when you’re up against a future deadline.
So check the list below for all the services that are no longer supported by GOV.UK Verify. And then read on to see what you need to do instead.
- Check your Income Tax for the current year (HMRC)
- Help friends or family with their tax (HMRC)
- Sign in and file your Self Assessment tax return (HMRC)
- Sign in to your personal tax account (HMRC)
- Apply for Universal Credit with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Check your State Pension (DWP and HMRC)
- Get your State Pension (DWP)
If you’re currently using Verify to deal with any of these financial matters, you can find your alternative by clicking on the links above.
Most of them require you to have a Government Gateway account. If you don’t have one yet, it’s a good idea to set one up now here’s how.
What is a Government Gateway account for?
The idea behind Government Gateway accounts is that you have an online ‘gateway’ to all the ‘government’ services you might need. For example, a Personal Tax Account.
You need to prove your identity when you first register for Government Gateway, even if you’ve previously had a Verify account.
You’ll need your National Insurance number and 2 of anything on this list:
- UK passport
- UK driving licence issued by the DVLA or DVA
- Tax credit claim details
- P60 or payslip from last 3 months, in the last tax year
- Self assessment tax return details
- Credit record details, like mortgage, loans, credit cards
It’s a really intuitive process, just follow the instructions on the screen.
Big tip: As soon as your individual government gateway ID number is generated for you on screen (note it down please). You need it and it’s not going to appear again on the screen. You will get it repeated in a follow-up email.
Also note your password and recovery word answers keeping them completely private, of course.
Why should I sort this out now?
Different online government systems have their own security set-ups, even after you’ve sorted out your Government Gateway. And some of them take a bit of time to get through.
For example, to use some of HMRC’s services, you need to activate your account. This means receiving a code in the post, which you must allow 10 days to arrive. So you obviously don’t want to be starting this process the day before your tax return is due to be filed.
It’s good to get your alternatives in place before your Verify access stops completely. This makes it a much smoother, less stressful transition. You’ve got time to open the right accounts for the services you need and fulfil all their security requirements. And there’s also time for you to rectify any hitches with HMRC before you need to use the services. Last minute panics avoided.
