I earlier made a call to HMRC online services. They couldn't deal with my query and have called me back. Basically, I have submitted 64-8s for a number of clients covering (in most cases) CT, PAYE and VAT.
My agent area is showing authority to act re CT and PAYE.. However, VAT seems to be a sticking point.
I tried to explain this to the nice monkey at HMRC who informed me that Forms 64-8 would never (and never have) "link" a taxpayer's VAT record to an Agent's Online area... (Since when!? and despite the other taxes doing exactly that!?). Despite my protest that I had done exactly that in the past, I was told the only way to do this was to request codes through the post (which will no doubt get lost or arrive otuside of the expiry date!)
Anyone else had trouble with paper 64-8s and VAT?
Cheers
Chris
Replies (23)
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Had exactly the same problem with paper 64-8 ...
... So I put a photocopy of the signed 64-8 with a covering letter in the post to Southend and they wrote back acknowledging that they had updated their records and even kindly included my client's VAT statement of account!
Yep
Same problem, but to be fair we tend to use the online authorisation for all of our clients now as it's quicker than waiting for Longbenton update their systems. Usually takes a week for the code to arrive at the client, and most clients are pretty quick at passing it over to us.
64-8
Same problem, but to be fair we tend to use the online authorisation for all of our clients now as it's quicker than waiting for Longbenton update their systems. Usually takes a week for the code to arrive at the client, and most clients are pretty quick at passing it over to us.
I wish we were on top of it ike that; Most of the time even if we tick all the boxes hmrc dont process it properly and it requires a bit of aggression with hmrc staff to get it to happen properly.
Frustrating!
I was told by both PAYE and VAT departments that online authorisation isn't sufficient for them to be able to talk to you. So, I have now submitted 64 8s as well.
This is very different to self assessment where they will talk to you just on the basis of the online authorisation.
Trouble is you get a different answer everytime you speak to them - hopeless!
Contrary to HMRC guidance
I was told by both PAYE and VAT departments that online authorisation isn't sufficient for them to be able to talk to you. So, I have now submitted 64 8s as well.
This is very different to self assessment where they will talk to you just on the basis of the online authorisation.
Trouble is you get a different answer everytime you speak to them - hopeless!
I have had this same issue with PAYE & VAT - where a PAYE office will regard the online authorisation as sufficient for say corresponding regarding P11d's, but insufficient if I ring them up for some information. It is so annoying!
The guidance on HMRC's website is pretty clear saying "If you set up client authorisations online, you will be entitled to act on your client's behalf online, by phone and in writing" But both VAT and certain PAYE offices wont play ball! I think it is just a tactic to delay and push things off!
On line VAT 64-8
Is not easy - you have to have the date the client first registered for VAT, the details of certain boxes on their last return ...... Painful in the extreme.
Successful online registration!!
But I've not yet tried speaking to anyone - may try it later for a laugh!!
Now - 2 weeks after using the code passed on by the client I have received an email from ChRIS (!) at HMRC saying the code has expired because it's not been used. Just checked and I can still access online?
ChRIS sends me email every week telling me codes haven't been used, entirely regardless of whether they have been used or not.
At first it was embarassing when I then chased the client again for something they had already given me and I had input into HMRC online. After that I realised it was just that ChRIS is an idiot.
64-8 re vat office
If you tell them you're an internal accountant they'll ask if you have permission to discuss the VAT - answer yes and they'll talk to you - ridiculous but it works
Met too, too - not sure what the 64-8 VAT boxes are for!
Rang HMRC today having submitted a 64-8 for both CT and VAT a month aqo. I usually do it on line which is preferable though not without its own issues. Client correctly listed on my CT client list but not VAT. HMRC informed me that 64-8 does not mean I can file VAT returns or do anything else online; I have to request activation code online to be able to do that. What on Earth is the point of the VAT section on the 64-8 if this is the case? The form should state that to file VAT returns online, you need to do something else - what happened to digital by default?! I'd love to sit in on the meetings where these things are decided.
Vat - online registration
Does this actually work?
The details I hold, having prepared the last submitted vat return and retaining a copy of the certificate of vat registration, never seem to tie up with those held by HMRC. End result - online registration failure.
Still awating authorisation codes after 26 days
We have applied for various codes within the last month or so, 4 of which are due to expire 31st May. As yet none received by clients, who are now getting fed up with us chasing them, despite us telling them HMRC are getting more efficient. No consistency as some have been received within a few days others well....
auth codes
We have applied for various codes within the last month or so, 4 of which are due to expire 31st May. As yet none received by clients, who are now getting fed up with us chasing them, despite us telling them HMRC are getting more efficient. No consistency as some have been received within a few days others well....
this happens all the time,
HMRC staff havent a clue how to track these codes
This is how to do it
This works for me. For clients who are already VAT registered skip to step 2.
Step 1. Log in to your HMRC website as agent. Complete the VAT registration form online and submit. HMRC will confirm the clients VAT registration number in writing to both you and the client after a processing period of 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 2. Register on the Government Gateway website for a business in the name of the client. Once in, register for "submission of VAT returns" online. Follow the guide and answer the security questions. If newly registered the boxes on the last VAT return will be nil. This service should be activated immediately and does not require a password.
Step 3. Click on the new service "submission of VAT returns" and appoint yourself as agent. Enter your ID and you should see your name appear. Submit. This appointment is immediate but you will have to wait until the following morning to see the client listed in your list of VAT clients on your HMRC web site.
Step 4. As in step 2 its a very good idea to also register on the Government Gateway for "change of VAT details online". This allows you to log in to HMRC as the client and communicate with HMRC. In a recent VAT registration HMRC got the period stagger wrong. You think it would be a straightforward three monthly wouldn't you! Nope. First period was two months which didn't align with the accounting year. Using this service we were able to send an electronic communication to HMRC and HMRC took 22 days to process the change and send a new certificate to the client who then faxed it to us. Job done. Incidentally this service cannot be activated without a password so inform your client to receive one in the post.
Is this ethical?. So long as you tell the client what you are doing on their behalf and give them copies of the Government Gateway / HMRC log in codes they will almost certainly thank you for dealing with it.
HMRC oiks
I think the gist of this post is that all of us agents are heartily sick of the incompetence and time wasting of the authorities
It is high time we formed a block to voice our grievance direct to George Osborne or David Cameron
I have just received a response to a complaint saying that the level of complaints is so high they cannot say when I might get an answer - it was a very windy letter indeed
Cameron is my MP so form a queue and I suggest we all turn up at his constituency meeting to say what we think
What they want....
I think the gist of this post is that all of us agents are heartily sick of the incompetence and time wasting of the authorities
It is high time we formed a block to voice our grievance direct to George Osborne or David Cameron
I have just received a response to a complaint saying that the level of complaints is so high they cannot say when I might get an answer - it was a very windy letter indeed
Cameron is my MP so form a queue and I suggest we all turn up at his constituency meeting to say what we think
Is for everyone to become so worn out by the following up of follow up follow ups that they all get a lobotomy and lose the parts of their brains that come up with legal ways to reduce clients tax liabilities, then they jump out of the cupboard and shout 'Surprise, hey you guys, we were just kidding, come back, honestly we know what we are doing, its all just hijinks, LOLZ'.
MtF
VAT online registration
Havent needed to do this for a while (when VAT returns went online). But the process was something like - send a completed 64-8 to HMRC. Phone them up and check what details would be needed for online registration (it was usually sorting out the registration date which was so long ago no-one could remember it except the VAT computer) and complete the online process!
Of course the online process does require you to enter up the password which gets posted back (to the client). But this seemed to work ok - unlike my early experiences of 64-8 online creation which have pushed me back to pen and paper.
Change of agent details
I have recently changed my company name and address, wrote to HMRC they changed over CT and SA no problems!
Called them and they told me to send in alist of clients and PAYE references and they will manually change them over. Great BUT when i apply for new clients it still sends my previous trading name and address!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Causes more hassle as the client thinks someone else is trying to apply to become there agent, help anyone?
Also still need to change over VAT??
Time for change?
I have continual problems with HMRC but never with Companies House who are so efficient.
Perhaps we should lobby for the head of Companies House to take over HMRC?
Extra extra
The head of Companies House is to take over HMRC in a shock announcement today, favourite to replace him is HMRCs current chief executive Mr Iam Donk, Mr Donk is well known for his ability to replace qualified staff with people who have no clue, and are very irritating to deal with, he has big plans to replace Companies House staff who are all going to HMRC with one guy who is always on a fag break and knows nothing about companies.
MtF