Gov.UK = NOT OK!

Gov.UK = NOT OK!

Didn't find your answer?

As a registered Tax Agent I regularly file clients' details at HMRC online.
When I click through the new Gov.UK interface & select 'Tax agents and advisers' I am then offered a list of options...
So, I scroll down to 'Self Assessment for Agents online service' & all feels good so far.

Then it hits me ~ a wall of very badly prioritised options!

Surely the vast majority of Tax Agents will already be familiar with the system? (yes) so:
Scroll past 1. 'Overview' (don't need it thanks).
Scroll past 2. 'What you can do with Self Assessment for Agents' (don't tempt me, but again, been using it for years, so...).
Scroll past 3. 'Benefits of using Self Assessment for Agents' (really, are we that insecure that we have to be told every time how good this is before we can get to use the service again for the nth time?) .
Scroll past 4. 'Deadlines for paper and online tax returns' (two dates ~ think the penny may have dropped by now?).
Scroll past 5. 'Signing up for Self Assessment for Agents' (no, I'm an existing user; have been for many years, so don't really want to see this as a priority every time).
Arrive at 6. 'If you're already using HMRC Online Services for agents' then click on 'Log in to HMRC Online Services'.

Hurrah! At last! How many avoidable headers did I have to pass before I can access the regular log-in? Five headers! Why on earth is the regular log-in at Number 6. & not Number 1.? Unbelievably crass...

Pray that the HMRC powers that be somehow get hold of this feedback & change the design so that there is a PRIORITY LOG-IN BUTTON for existing users right at the top of the page! 

Replies (7)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

Woolpit Gus
By nutwood
18th Dec 2014 19:45

favourites

why not just save the login page in your favourite's bar along with Accountingweb?

Thanks (1)
avatar
By User deleted
18th Dec 2014 19:59

That's a helpful suggestion, nutwood

But it doesn't take away from the fact that the site is abysmal. HMRC are already saying in their usual arrogant manner that it's just that folk don't like change. They (or those responsible for the fiasco) need a jolly good kick up the proverbial.

Thanks (3)
By The Grammar Police
18th Dec 2014 21:18
Thanks (1)
Stepurhan
By stepurhan
19th Dec 2014 08:26

More like poor signposting at most

You've gone the wrong way. If you just click the first link on the home page "Log in or register for HMRC online services" then select a service on the next page and bingo, you're at the login page.

It's actually not that far removed from the log-in link that used to be in a box on the left-hand side of the old site. The content you've found is not much different from that you would have found by using the links in the three coloured boxes on the old site. 

So in fact most of the headers you ended up looking at were entirely avoidable. There is plenty to dislike about the new Gov.UK version of the site. Saying you took ages to get to the login when you have skipped past a link on the home page labelled "log in" is probably not high on the list.

Thanks (1)
avatar
By carnmores
19th Dec 2014 09:13

bookmark it

get over it

Thanks (0)
By The Grammar Police
19th Dec 2014 10:54

At last

After much searching I finally found the "search" page.  I know HMRC's search engine is the worst one on the planet, but it's all we've got.

 

HMRC Searchhttp://search.hmrc.gov.uk/kb5/hmrc/hmrc/results.page?qt=tax+return

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
19th Dec 2014 11:29

It may be the worst on the planet ...

... but Accounting Web is not far behind

Thanks (0)