Money laundering supervision registration: cost and how to register
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against GOV.UK guidance updated 22 December 2025
If your business is an estate or letting agency, an accountancy service provider, a high value dealer, or one of several other named business types, and you're not already supervised by the FCA, a professional body or the Gambling Commission, you must register for money laundering supervision with HMRC.
Registration costs a £300 one-off application fee, plus a £400 annual fee for each premises you register.
Short on time?Let us prepare your application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This guide covers who needs to register with HMRC specifically, rather than another supervisor, what it costs, and how the annual renewal works. The value here is mostly the "did you know you need this" gap - many small estate agents, letting agents and accountants only discover the requirement after an HMRC compliance check.
This is general information, not legal or accountancy advice. Whether you need to register, and which supervisor is correct for you, depends on your exact business activities - for anything specific, contact HMRC or a compliance professional directly.
What is money laundering supervision, and why does it exist?
Money laundering supervision is a legal requirement, under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, for certain business sectors judged higher-risk for laundering or terrorist financing.
Supervised businesses must have anti-money laundering controls in place - including customer due diligence, risk assessments and staff training - and their supervisor (HMRC, for the sectors covered here) checks compliance and can inspect and penalise non-compliant businesses.
Who needs to register with HMRC specifically?
You register with HMRC only if your business falls into one of these sectors and isn't already supervised by another body, such as the FCA, the Law Society, ICAEW, or the Gambling Commission.
| Business type | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Money service businesses | Not supervised by the FCA |
| High value dealers | Accepting cash payments of €10,000 or more for goods, in a single transaction or linked transactions |
| Trust or company service providers | Not supervised by a professional body |
| Accountancy service providers | Not supervised by a recognised professional body |
| Estate agency businesses | Carrying out estate agency work |
| Letting agency businesses | Letting property at a rent of €10,000 or more a month |
| Bill payment service providers | Not supervised by the FCA |
| Telecommunications, digital and IT payment service providers | Not supervised by the FCA |
| Art market participants | Trading works of art worth €10,000 or more, in a single or linked transaction |
If you're already supervised by the FCA, the Law Society, ICAEW, ACCA, the Gambling Commission or another recognised body for the same activity, you don't also register with HMRC for it.
What does registration cost?
There's a one-off application fee, then an ongoing annual fee for each premises you register, plus additional per-person fees for some sectors.
A small business fee reduction may apply. The free official route on GOV.UK →
✓ Fee verified against GOV.UK guidance updated 22 December 2025, checked 23 August 2026
You'll pay the £400 annual fee again every year, alongside your annual declaration, for as long as you're supervised - this isn't a one-off cost, so budget for it as an ongoing compliance expense.
How to register, step by step
- Confirm you're in a sector HMRC supervises, and that you're not already covered by another supervisor for the same activity.
- Gather your business details, including every premises you'll be registering.
- Register online through your HMRC business tax account.
- Pay the application fee, plus any relevant per-person fees for beneficial owners, officers or managers (BOOMs) HMRC needs to check.
- Put anti-money laundering controls in place - a written risk assessment, customer due diligence procedures, and staff training - before you start trading in a supervised activity.
- Complete your annual declaration and pay the annual fee each year to keep your registration active.
Frequently asked questions
How much does money laundering supervision registration cost?
A £300 one-off application fee, plus a £400 annual premises fee charged every year. Some sectors also pay a £500 fit and proper test fee or a £40 approval check fee per person.
Do estate agents need to register with HMRC?
Yes, if they carry out estate agency work and aren't supervised elsewhere for it - estate agency businesses are one of the named sectors HMRC supervises.
What's the high value dealer threshold?
Accepting cash payments of €10,000 or more for goods, in a single transaction or linked transactions, triggers the requirement to register as a high value dealer.
Do I register with HMRC if the FCA already supervises me?
No - businesses already supervised by the FCA, a recognised professional body, or the Gambling Commission for the same activity don't also register with HMRC.
Is the registration a one-off payment?
No - the £300 application fee is one-off, but the £400 annual premises fee is charged every year for as long as you're registered.
What happens if I don't register when required?
It's a criminal offence to trade in a supervised activity without registering, and HMRC actively issues penalties for non-compliance.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMRC, GOV.UK or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or accountancy advice - for anything specific to your business, contact HMRC or a compliance professional directly.