The Death of the Brown Envelope: HMRC Moves Corporation Tax Reminders Online

Starting June 2025 businesses across the UK will notice one fewer item landing in their letterboxes. HMRC is officially pulling the plug on paper-based Corporation Tax reminders and moving these communications entirely online.

The scrapping, which is the latest step in HMRC’s digital-first strategy, means no more brown envelopes containing CT208 PR1 or PR2 reminders, the ones that nudge businesses about tax payments or return deadlines. If you’re used to getting that physical tap on the shoulder from HMRC, it’s time to log in instead.

Going Paperless, Officially

The change follows a five-month trial that ran from September 2024 to January 2025. HMRC wanted to see how businesses would cope without the familiar paper notices and promised to reverse course should the change cause confusion or delay. But apparently, things went smoothly enough, or at least, not badly enough, to make the change permanent.

From June, corporation taxpayers will need to check their HMRC online accounts to keep tabs on upcoming payments, returns and any accruing interest. Accountants and tax agents won’t be spared either: they’ll have to use the Corporation Tax for Agents online service to stay in the loop.

HMRC says there’s no change to the actual tax process, only how the reminders are delivered. But that distinction might be cold comfort to smaller businesses already juggling digital overload.

A Quiet Phase-Out

This isn’t the first time HMRC has trimmed back its paper output. In September 2024, it stopped sending four types of corporation tax letters, including the CT205/A return reminder and CT209 payment receipt. It also halted sending agents the CT603A, a helpful list of issued tax return notices. At the time, those changes flew under the radar. Now the latest phase makes it clear: HMRC is tidying its desk and tossing the stamps.

There’s a bigger picture here. HMRC is trying to cut administrative costs and encourage digital adoption. In a world where most services have already gone online, tax is simply catching up. But though large firms with dedicated finance teams may barely blink, sole traders and small companies might feel the pinch.

More Digital Changes Ahead

If you’re a business that still uses HMRC’s free online Company Tax Return service, take note: that, too, will close in March 2026. From then on, commercial tax software will be the only route for filing returns. That means more costs, and perhaps more complexity, for the smallest businesses that have relied on the free tools until now.

HMRC’s bet is that digitisation saves money and makes operations efficient. But it also throws more responsibility onto businesses and their advisers. In the past, a missed paper letter could be blamed on the post. From June, a missed payment reminder might come down to a forgotten login or a cluttered inbox.

What Should Businesses Do?

First, if you haven’t already, set up your HMRC online account. Bookmark it. Check it regularly. And if you work with an accountant or agent, make sure they’re plugged into the new system and checking it on your behalf.

Second, consider whether you’re prepared for the move to commercial software next year. The earlier you start exploring your options, the less likely you’ll be caught off guard when the free route closes.

In short: the letters have stopped, but the deadlines haven’t. Welcome to the new normal of tax admin that is paperless, online and just a click (or a missed click) away.

Conclusion

The days of getting paper tax reminders in the post are over. From June 2025, all corporation tax reminders will come through your HMRC online account. Nothing else about your tax responsibilities has changed, only how you’re reminded.

Set up your online account, check it often and talk to your accountant if you have one. The tax world is going digital; best to log in and keep up.