HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has introduced new tax checks for all taxi and private hire drivers when renewing a PCO or private hire licence.
What is a tax check code?
From 4th April 2022, as a licensed PCO or private hire vehicle driver renewing your PCO licence, you must provide a unique 9-character code. The tax check code verifies that as a PCO or private hire vehicle driver you are registered for tax and are paying the correct tax. However, this does not apply for first time PCO or private hire vehicle drivers.
Applying for the tax check code
In order to obtain the HMRC unique 9-character tax check code, PCO or private hire vehicle drivers must login to their HMRC account using your Government Gateway ID and password (Complete a tax check for a taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you do not have a Government Gateway ID, you can register on the HMRC website.
The tax check code is valid for 120 days from the day the codes are generated by HMRC and PCO or private hire vehicle drivers must submit the code when renewing their PCO licence as part of their renewal application requirement. If you do not provide the tax check code with your renewal application will be considered as incomplete until you provide the tax check code.
