In line with the revenue’s move towards digital tax management they’ve now released a new app for Windows 10 devices.
Called “HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)”, the new Windows 10 app is currently quite limited as it only lets you check your next tax credits payment date, your tax account, track the forms you’ve sent to HMRC and read the latest messages and news from HMRC.
In addition to these functions, the app also supports two-factor authentication which is key to ensuring security. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that is known as "multi factor authentication". It requires not only a password and username but also something that only that user has on them, i.e. a piece of information only they should know or have immediately to hand - such as a physical token – an example being a cash point withdrawal, you need the PIN and the correct card.
Using a username and password together with a piece of information that only the user knows makes it harder for potential intruders to gain access.
In its introduction on the app, HMRC state:
Welcome to the new HMRC mobile app. It’s just the start of a great new product that will give you instant and secure access to your HMRC account whenever you need it. We’re regularly adding new features, but you can already use this app to:
Check your next tax credits payment date View your personal tax account Track forms you’ve sent to HMRC Read messages and latest news from HMRC online.This is a comparatively “small” start point however the app will get a tax calculator soon as HMRC recently removed it to improve the feature.
You can get the new HMRC app for your Windows 10 PC or Mobile device from this link.
