Corporate tax agents are advised to batten down the hatches for the next few days as HMRC will be implementing a major upgrade to its Corporation Tax Online website on Monday 23 November.
The overhaul is part of the process to put in place a new filing mechanism to accept detailed accounts and computations in the inline XBRL format (iXBRL), the department advised last week.
The new portal will include a built-in iXBRL filing mechanism and will also accept data submitted in the new format from commercial software developers. At the moment, Forbes Computer and BTC Software are reported to have passed HMRC’s testing criteria, while Sage, Digita, Keytime and other CT tax developers are working on similar tools.
Companies won’t be required to file iXBRL data with their CT600s until 1 April 2011, but a new style return will be released when the new site opens for business. HMRC also advises anyone wishing to use the online system before the 23rd to do so by Wednesday 18 November.
It also warned: “If you have any data saved on the current HMRC online return you must make sure that you save it onto your own computer before 19 November 2009. You won’t be able to access your data through the HMRC Corporation Tax online filing service after that date.”
Addressing the ICAEW Sole Practitioners Day on Friday 13 November, AccountingWEB.co.uk editor explained that other improvements would accompany the CT upgrade. Non-VAT registered agents would now be able to sign up to handle clients’ VAT returns online.
“It’s part of a big IT drop for HMRC that will affect lots and lots of areas, but I’d stay away from it for a couple of days before and immediately after the switch, and don’t try and file online on that date,” Benneyworth advised.
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Online Services
10.24 am 23rd November 2009 - Already have 5 Helpdesk reference numbers to quote (when the lines aren't busy!)
CT down, SA down, PAYE down, VAT down!!!!
Why, oh, why, oh, why!
Woody Guthrie
It was fine at 6.30 this morning - but maybe because my return had iXBRL attachments !
To complete your Woody Guthrie lyrics ....
Why, oh why, oh why oh, why?
Why, oh why, oh why?
Because because because because
Goodbye goodbye goodbye
Why's there no pennies for ice cream
Why, oh why, oh why?
You put all the pennies in the telephone.
Goodbye goodbye goodbye.
Wood Guthrie
Some give incisive commentary, others give cutting edge advice!
Dave sings you a song!
Oh, well - brightened my day, which so far has been frustrating!
(Spot any more lyrics here, Dave?)
CT Online
Manged to get in to CT online and actually fill in the form, but when I try to print the CT600 to review it I get a message saying "this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an assocaition in the Set Association control panel". So I have set the association, and guess what? it still doesn't work!
Anybody got any ideas on this one as I will probably have to wait a week or so for HMR&C help desk to get back to me
Polly
File associations
You are using the HMRC free software ? I believe it is a pdf you get back. Can you open pdfs normally ? What happens if you just double click on a pdf via a web link - does that open ? You can test this using www.forbes.co.uk/leaflet.pdf (unashamedly some sales literature for our software :-) If that does not work then it does sound like your file associations are still not set up correctly.
File associations
I can open pdf files and have completed the form. The issue is that when I click the button to view and save the completed file I get the file association message.
Polly
File association
Getting a bit technical now - as well as the file extension (.pdf) there is also something called a "mime type" that you can set in "file associations.
You may need to do a more general google search on this !
Non-VAT registered agents will now be allowed to file for client
Is this available now, or does anyone know WHEN it will be available?
VAT For Agents
Not available yet but should be in the new year. meanwile, you will need to get your Client to register as an individual. They will be allocated a Government Gateway code and password and you will have to file the VAT returns that way until HMR&C update the system
Polly
VAT for Agents
Authorisation for VAT is now available in the same way as you can request on-line authorisation for CT and SA. This is where you enter the client details and they then get sent an authorisation code that you have to enter for them to appear on your client list. I haven't used it for VAT yet so don't know whether it will work as it should!
VAT For Agents
Thanks Jason..........I didn't realise it had gone live with the recent update!
Polly
VAT For Agents
No, I was right the first time, it is not on the authorise Client section.............unless I'm missing something obvious!
Polly
VAT for Agents
Check 'Your HMRC Services' on the main menu on the HMRC site. Do you have VAT for Agents shown on the list? It may be in the 'Services you can add' section? Or it maybe that you still can't use this if you are not registered for VAT as an agent..... Sorry if that's not much help!