can HMRC change an agents address

can HMRC change an agents address

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has anyone ever managed to get HMRC to change their agents address for VAT

I am a chartered accountant and have for many years run my own practice.  Last year I converted this ti a Ltd company and changed premises.  I informed HMRC of this and over several months, and eventually the MP getting involved they changed what they said were all the details,
Unfortunately that is not the case.  Apparently for VAT it is not possible for them to ever change the address of any agent, or at least that is what their complaints team have today said to me.  
Effectively what this means is that for all new clients if we enrol them HMRC will write to them saying that a different named accountancy form, from a different town has approached HMRC asking to register them  as their clients, and here is the relevant code.  This cause concern and confusion amongst clients
they have said there is no work around, except to re enrol all existing clients on a totally new  agent code which would take a lot of time and effort for us and for all existing clients and mean that all existing data that we have generated for them is lost
 
What I am hoping is that this issue can be raised with HMRC by the profession. it will effect every accountant who moves offices.  It is worse than that, in that HMRC tell you everything has been changed and it has not, so the tax agent will not be aware of the error.
It is also worse as I believe it places HMRC in breach of data protection rules, as they clearly hold incorrect data for us, but are not prepared/able to change it.  Finally it is unfair on businesses as it causes concern and extra work for them.
 
I hope this is sufficient to encourage you to raise it.  I will be feeding back to our  MAP, who usefully is a government minister, and try to get some pressure on them at that end as well.
 
 
 
Tim Vogel BSC FCA JP
01760 723830

Replies (10)

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Should Be Working ... not playing with the car
By should_be_working
23rd Feb 2016 16:27

In the same boat

We moved offices (though no name change) some four years ago. The AAM got our address changed for SA no problem, but as for PAYE and VAT, despite phone calls, emails and letters we've given up, for now. Will have another crack at it soon, so it'll be interesting to see what comes of your efforts.

My other concern is whether this will confuse the bureaucracy when it comes to transferring to full-blown AOSS.

 

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By free-rider
23rd Feb 2016 16:20

You are not alone
HMRC are still using the old name (pre incorporation) and the address of some 5 years ago.
Every 2nd VAT client phones in to enquire when we have moved to up North of Scotland (old address) and why clients were not informed of that.
Tried contacting HMRC and complaining – no result.

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Tamsin Mustafa
By Tasnim Mustafa
24th Feb 2016 13:55

We've got the same problem and have been trying to change for several years, no luck. Fortunately we still have access to the old address though. Let me know if you figure it out!

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By mattias
26th Feb 2016 08:33

Well done
You guys have done so well to accept the total incompetence of HMRC with such patience. This is why HMRC are so unfit for purpose. What business or agent could get away with such behaviour? There should be immediate action, a full apology and generous compensation for you all. If only they cared. A bit.

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By free-rider
26th Feb 2016 08:46

2 mattias: Can sense sarcasm.

Any experience to share with others or advice on how to deal with this situation would be more valuable.

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By timothyvogel
26th Feb 2016 09:04

Information commissioner

Trying to use the information commissionaire but running into problems as he is set up to deal with personal data, and the problem is they will not change the address/name of ltd.

Anyone outer with a sole trader/partnership practice with the problem could try this route?

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Replying to Wanderer:
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By free-rider
26th Feb 2016 09:15

Possible solution for VAT?

timothyvogel wrote:

Trying to use the information commissionaire but running into problems as he is set up to deal with personal data, and the problem is they will not change the address/name of ltd.

Anyone outer with a sole trader/partnership practice with the problem could try this route?

Sent a letter to HMRC claiming that they might be putting our clients` personal data at risk when sending it to the old address etc. They were quick with the following reply: please fill in the form VAT484 and update your company`s VAT address. Then and only then they are claiming they might be able to change our VAT agent address. Sounds like worth to give it a try, but wait…I`m PT and not VAT registered. Damn!

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By mattias
26th Feb 2016 09:05

No sarcasm intended
It is the system not the people so you have to aim at those who can influence things at a higher level. Work your way through your MP, those who oversee HMRC on behalf of the government and aim high up at HMRC, copy everything to Dame Lin and her successor.

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By timothyvogel
08th Mar 2016 16:28

HMRC even agree their service not acceptable

today had nice phone cal from HMRC.  they said they agreed it was not good enough, and would pass it to the "lessons learned" team, BUT

They also said they though this was a one off occurrence. if you have ever had this problem cold you contact  them again now via [email protected] pointing out that you have also had same problem.  we may be winning, slowly 

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Replying to tallulabrogan:
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By free-rider
08th Mar 2016 16:51

Will give it a shot

timothyvogel wrote:

via [email protected] pointing out that you have also had same problem. we may be winning, slowly

He might get a bit overwhelmed with requests after his email address is posted here.

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