What if I cannot access my HMRC Government Gateway account?

If you cannot access your Government Gateway account, you can use HMRC's recovery process to reset your login details. An accountant may also be able to assist, but lenders typically require the official HMRC PDF documents.

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How to Download a Tax Year Overview from HMRC (For Mortgage Applications)

Q: Do lenders accept screenshots of my Tax Year Overview?

Usually, no. Most lenders and finance providers require the official PDF downloaded directly from your HMRC account. Screenshots may be rejected because they can be cropped or incomplete.

Q: How many years of Tax Year Overviews will I need?

It depends on the lender and your circumstances. Most mortgage lenders request one to two years of Tax Year Overviews, although some may require additional history if income is variable.

Q: Is a Tax Year Overview the same as an SA302?

No. An SA302 is your tax calculation, while a Tax Year Overview confirms that HMRC has received and processed your tax return for that year. Mortgage lenders often request both documents.

Q: What if my Tax Year Overview does not match my SA302?

This can occur if a return has been submitted recently, is still being processed by HMRC, or if there is a discrepancy. For mortgage applications, mismatches can cause delays, so it is best to resolve any differences before submitting documents to a lender.

Updated February 2026

If you're applying for a mortgage and you’re self-employed, your lender may ask for a Tax Year Overview. This document confirms your declared income for each tax year and helps the lender verify your figures.

Follow the steps below to download your Tax Year Overview correctly.

Step 1: Log in to Your HMRC Account

1. Visit HMRC’s login page and sign in using your Government Gateway ID and password.

2. Navigate to your personal tax account dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘Self Assessment’

Select ‘Self Assessment’ from your dashboard. If you’re registered for Self Assessment, this section will be available.

Step 3: Click ‘View Self Assessment Return’

Select ‘View Self Assessment return’ for the relevant tax year. This page will show your submitted returns and associated documents.

Step 4: View Your Tax Year Overview

Choose the correct tax year from the dropdown menu, then click ‘Go’ to load your Tax Year Overview.

Step 5: Follow These Next Steps

• Scroll to the bottom of the page and choose ‘Print your Tax Year Overview’.

• When the print window appears, select ‘Print to PDF’ or ‘Save as PDF’.

• Save the document to your device — lenders require the official PDF version.

• Repeat for additional tax years if needed.

Step 6: Keep a Copy for Your Records

Always keep a backup copy of your Tax Year Overview — lenders may request it more than once during your assessment.

Need help gathering the right mortgage documents?
Our team can guide you through every step so you feel mortgage-ready with confidence.

Tax Year Overview FAQs

Quick answers to the most common questions we hear from clients.

Do lenders accept screenshots of my Tax Year Overview?

Usually, no. Most lenders (and other finance providers) want the official document downloaded from your HMRC account as a full PDF — screenshots can be cropped, edited, or miss key details.

How many years of Tax Year Overviews will I need?

It depends on the lender and your circumstances, but it’s commonly one to two years. Some lenders may want more history, especially if your income is variable.

If you’re self-employed, it’s worth reading this alongside our self-employed mortgage guidance: Self-employed mortgages.

Is a Tax Year Overview the same as an SA302?

Not quite. An SA302 is your tax calculation, and a Tax Year Overview is HMRC’s record showing what’s been received/processed for that year. For mortgages, lenders often request both.

If you also need your SA302, use this guide: How to download your SA302.

What if my Tax Year Overview doesn’t match my SA302?

This can happen if a return was submitted recently, HMRC hasn’t fully processed something yet, or there’s a genuine discrepancy. For mortgage applications, mismatches can cause delays — so it’s best to resolve it before you submit documents to the lender.

If you’re unsure, drop us a note and we’ll tell you what the lender is likely to expect: email us.

What if I can’t access my HMRC account (Government Gateway)?

If you’ve forgotten your login details, use HMRC’s recovery steps to reset your Government Gateway sign-in. If you use an accountant, they may also be able to help you obtain the documents — but lenders typically still want the official HMRC PDFs.

For the full document checklist (bank statements, payslips, tax docs and more), start here: Mortgage application documents hub.

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

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