Paper 64-8 - how long before authorised?

Posted a 64-8 5 weeks ago - still not showing!

Didn't find your answer?

I have a client who is non-res, so instead of applying in the usual way for an authorisation code to be sent to the client on the other side of the world, I got him to sign a 64-8 while he was over here.  I posted the 64-8 5 weeks ago and need to be able to view his account online, but every time I check, he is still not listed.

I know HMRC are painfully slow, buy for Gordon Bennet's sake, does it really take THIS long?

Like, I suspect, many others, it is years since I had to resort to the old paper 64-8 but I never remember it taking this long!

The question is, should I keep waiting as this is normal, or should I assume it has gone astray?

Best greetings to all

Replies (17)

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By doorsteps
13th Oct 2016 15:22

Sorry to hear of your pain with HMRC. I know it doesn't really help you much but we stopped posting forms to HMRC that we don't have to, a year ago.

We got so fed up with them losing paperwork, we now deal with 64-8's electronically.

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By Mick Milne
13th Oct 2016 15:37

Hi,

Received authorisation on Tuesday for a paper return sent 3 weeks ago. I try to do electronically but this guy didn't know his UTR so paper seemed to be the only way.

cheers
mick

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RLI
By lionofludesch
13th Oct 2016 18:06

Electronic is a bit quicker provided the taxpayer lets you know the code when it arrives and doesn't just set it on the cornish when it arrives.

If there's no urgency, I prefer paper, because the taxpayer doesn't have to do anything else. If time's a bit short, I'd go for electronic and email the taxpayer every day.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Manchester_man
13th Oct 2016 20:03

lionofludesch wrote:

Electronic is a bit quicker provided the taxpayer lets you know the code when it arrives and doesn't just set it on the cornish when it arrives.

If there's no urgency, I prefer paper, because the taxpayer doesn't have to do anything else. If time's a bit short, I'd go for electronic and email the taxpayer every day.

It's interesting you say that. I've lost count of the number of "Authorisation Code Expiry" emails I have received for clients who don't bother passing me the code when they receive it.

2 expired codes this week! What is the matter with people? Do they receive the code letters and think "haha, he's not having this little beauty"?

Thanks for all replies. Seems that 3 weeks is average

Thanks (2)
Replying to Manchester_man:
RLI
By lionofludesch
14th Oct 2016 09:23

Manchester_man wrote:

It's interesting you say that. I've lost count of the number of "Authorisation Code Expiry" emails I have received for clients who don't bother passing me the code when they receive it.

2 expired codes this week! What is the matter with people? Do they receive the code letters and think "haha, he's not having this little beauty"?

It's horses for courses, so it is.

I've taken on two new clients this week, both recent start ups. I won't need to file anything until April 2017 at the earliest. Paper's good for them - client's already put his cross on the form and doesn't need to do anything else.

On the other hand, if a new client comes to me at Christmas, telling me he needs a 2016 return filing, it'll be electronic.

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Replying to lionofludesch:
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By Manchester_man
14th Oct 2016 13:25

Makes sense. I was on the auto pilot setting where every single new client gets authorised online.

I think I'll do what you do from now on, i.e. get a paper 64-8 signed unless it is urgent.

Thanks everyone.

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By K81
14th Oct 2016 08:56

last paper 64-8 I submitted took 6 weeks to process.

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Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
14th Oct 2016 12:21

Anything from a few days to 8 weeks for a paper 64-8 to be recognised.

There seems to be no routine to it though. I sent 2 in the same week one was dealt within days the other took about 6 weeks.

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By Manchester_man
14th Oct 2016 13:26

Thanks K81 and Glenzy, in that case, I will give it a bit longer.

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Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
14th Oct 2016 13:57

Just a thought.

I input an authorisation code online 2 weeks ago, but the client didn't appear on my online list. After a week, I called the helpdesk and they reminded me that I had to go into my Government Gateway agent account and assign the new client (who was indeed on there) to a user ("assistant"). I think this only applies if you have more than one user set up, but perhaps worth checking.

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By haggis
17th Oct 2016 10:55

Give them a call to ask if it has been processed. Operatives can check to see how much is on hand for the processing office so you should get a handle on whether it's outstanding, or been lost. (They can tell you this even if they can't give you specific info on the client.)

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By pauljohnston
17th Oct 2016 11:23

We always get a 64-8 signed but prefer the electronic route where possible.

64-8 need to be paper submitted as others have mentioned if there is no UTR. If HMRC wanted to make life easier for itself this is a place to start

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By rockallj
17th Oct 2016 11:37

I would advocate the filing online wherever you can but often for offshore clients this isn't straightforward or possible.

My firm had an almost identical situation last week for a U.K. branch of an offshore company for VAT. Sent a paper 64-8 about 6-8 weeks ago and client consistently wasn't shown. Euan's suggestion of checking your govt gateway is worth a try first, but our client didn't show. So we phoned HMRC and finally (after a 45 min wait) finally had a online helpdesk operative confirm we were appointed and "forced" our client into our list in time for client's VAT filing deadline.

If time isn't of the essence hold on a wee bit longer; if you need urgent access, put aside an hour on the phone to speak to the online helpdesk.

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Keep Calm, I'm and Accountant!
By i-accounts
17th Oct 2016 12:29

I had several that had not been added so I phoned the helpline, they raised each as an individual case and within a week I received a separate phone call for all bar 1 (still waiting on that one) to advise they had been located and added, needless to say someone had to go hunting their post room to deal with them!

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By Marion Hayes
17th Oct 2016 12:31

I am afraid that I am even more cynical about clients and HMRC - new clients are dealt with electronically to start with but at the first meet post appointment they also sign 4 paper 64-8's in case enquiries crop up with NIC, or VAT, or PAYE as well as personal/corporate. They sit in my file to accompany any letter as appropriate

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By Eileen Searle
17th Oct 2016 13:09

Send another it's probably lost in that "Back Office" they keep telling me about when I have any queries!!

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Morph
By kevinringer
17th Oct 2016 13:23

I've checked http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tools/progress-tool/calculator2.htm?selecReason=3.... HMRC are currently processing 19/09/16 - 4 weeks ago.

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