HMRC does not recognise the account for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

What it means

HMRC say the Government Gateway account you connected is not signed up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax under this National Insurance number.

What to check

1. The National Insurance number you entered is yours.
2. You are signed up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on GOV.UK. Connecting to HMRC works whether or not you are, so the refusal only shows a step later.
3. For an agent: the client is signed up, and has authorised your agent services account for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
4. For an agent refused on one task but not others, see the entry on tasks only a main agent can do.

How we can help

Once you are signed up, come back and try again; nothing is lost. Ask us if HMRC still refuse after that.

What HMRC have said

HMRC added this answer to the ITSA status check in October 2026, then switched it off while they fixed a problem with it.

See also