Agent Authorisation with HMRC

Clients not receiving authorisation codes

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Over the past few months, I have taken on a handful of new clients. 

As usual, I have gone online and requested authorisation codes to act as their agent when dealing with HMRC. 

Yet, there seems to be a delay in HMRC posting the letters out. Furthermore, I have a couple of clients who assure me that such letters have not been received at their end. 

Was wondering if anyone else was having this issue, and if so, other than completing a paper 64-8, if there was any other way to gain authorisation. 

Any suggestions would be greatfully accepted - thanks. 
 

Replies (12)

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By jpcentral
07th Jan 2020 07:41

Don't wish to be cynical but we have had a number of clients who have said they didn't receive letters. However, where we are the registered office, miraculously, the letters appear. A recent authorisation for corporation tax took less than a week and the VAT authorisation for the same client only a few days longer.

One client brought in a pile of documents just before Christmas. On going through the papers, guess what? There is an authorisation letter dated September - which he hadn't received!

I am sure that HMRC are at fault some times but our experience is that it is often the client. Some seem to have a phobia about brown envelopes.

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By CardiffAccountant
07th Jan 2020 08:15

Hi jpcentral,

Thanks for coming back to me, and please don’t think you’re being cynical, such clients do exist.

Only the clients I am talking about are very thorough and professional in the way they go about there businesses.

One even managed to cut through all the red tape and raised a load of grant funding to get started.

Also, my office often used as the registered office, and we have certainly not received the authorisation letters.

I was hoping there may alternative ways to get authorisation.

Thanks again

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ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
07th Jan 2020 08:43

If the client has a GG they should be able to authorise you from within that.

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By Roland195
07th Jan 2020 08:45

I broadly agree with JP in that the codes eventually arrive - takes far longer for SA than CT or VAT though and usually well outside the stated period but am wary of people saying they never came at all. If its going to fail, it does it at the request stage which is a problem in itself - the VAT one is especially difficult for this.

64/8s are a bit hit and miss. Take a long time to be processed then often require intervention to add to your online services.

I

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By CardiffAccountant
07th Jan 2020 09:15

Thanks Roland 195.

I guess i may need to be a little more patient and push my clients further to check their mail.

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By CardiffAccountant
07th Jan 2020 09:43

Thanks JoF.

Love your strategy.

Will later my way of advising clients.

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By bernard michael
07th Jan 2020 10:31

I've not had any problems.
I always check to see when HMRC have posted the number and then chase the client. They normally arrive in about 5 days

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By CardiffAccountant
07th Jan 2020 11:00

Hi bernard michael,

Not sure if I’m missing something, but how can I check if HMRC has sent the authorisation codes?

Wasn’t aware this could be checked, I have only received warnings that the codes are about to expire.

Thanks

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By bernard michael
07th Jan 2020 11:07

Cardiff

In the HMRC authorisation section against every client you've submitted an application for they will put a tick to say when the number had been posted

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Replying to bernard michael:
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By Roland195
07th Jan 2020 11:12

That's not been my experience - like most things with HMRC, that date has little to do with when they actually got around to putting it in the post. For SA, I have had them arrive 32 days after the request.

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By CardiffAccountant
07th Jan 2020 11:12

Thanks bernard michael.

I can’t say I’ve ever noticed this.

Will check in future.

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By Crouchy
07th Jan 2020 13:24

what do you need the authorisation fro - if its just checking SA details with HMRC the client can give them a call and verbally authorise your firm

only a temporary fix, so you'll still need to send 64-8's as well, but it should allow you to get some work finished

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