HMRC MLR - Approval checks fee

Why am I not surprised that this isn't flawless?

Didn't find your answer?

Whilst away I received an (no reply) email, from HMRC, in respect of my anti-money laundering supervision.

In essence, although the original application fee, of £115.00, was taken as long ago as 9th November, last year, HMRC now request a further fee (approval check fee) of £40.00. In trying to make the payment, using a variety of (business) payment methods, all have proved unsuccessful. I've been provided with a number of reasons, why the payment was unsuccessful, obviously inferring that the failure rests on this side of the discussion and, in the next two working days, someone will contact me, to take payment!

What I fail to appreciate is, the revised fee arrangement came into force, from 1st November 2017. Why on earth didn't HMRC take this fee, along with the generall renewal, at the same time, i.e. on 9th November.

I've yet to see any of HMRC's "processes" be flawless and I've lost count of the time which I've lost in dealing with this departments inadequacies.

Replies (9)

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By David Plastow
10th Mar 2018 11:00

I am also waiting to hear how to pay the approval check fee (for which there was no method in place in January) but as they appear to still be dealing with applications submitted in November it looks like I have still got months to go in which to save up the £40.00.

I like the fact that an annual licensing renewal takes about 5 months to deal with. I can only assume that there is only one person at HMRC dealing with AMLR registration renewals.

Ho hum!

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By CMED
10th Mar 2018 17:13

I came on here today to tell you all about the carry on I have been having re my registration renewal.

Having to pay an extra £40, the fact that this was not mentioned on payment of the renewal fee and that I can't seem to be able to pay it now and will have to wait for an email reply within 2 days.

In my mind I had ready my rant, you were going to be left in no doubt about how angry I was!

Now I see that I'm not the only one, which makes me feel slightly better only because there was a doubt in my mind that I may have made an error in the original application.

No, second thoughts, I am still bordering on incandescent with rage.

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Replying to CMED:
Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
10th Mar 2018 22:48

The arrogance of the “unsuccesssful”payment would initially suggest that the “fault” lies with the applicant, to the renewal and, that HMRC’s systems were faultless?
Having seen your response, I also feel somewhat calmer!
On Monday I take on another (the VOA) department of HMRC, in the Valuation Tribunal. Although you couldn’t make it up, the VOA had managed to initially, photograph a neighbours property! They were also late in submitting both their own and my evidence to the Tribunal?
Wow, this is a seriously 5h1t agency!

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
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By CMED
11th Mar 2018 16:39

You are right there, the way it was written made me think it was my fault, even though I was certain that the extra £40 charge wasn't mentioned when I made the renewal application.

This isn't my main source of income, far from it, apart from in my 'day job', I prepare 4 (yes four) tax returns for which I pay the £115 (now £130) registration fee plus now it appears another £40 'one off fee'.

For historic reasons, which I won't go into now, I charge them £100 per return. To be honest, it's more trouble than it's worth. So, do I
1 'wing it' and not be registered with HMRC for AML or
2 not charge for doing the returns or
3 write to my four clients:

Dear Mrs Smith

Although I did your late husbands return for thirty years I am no longer going to do yours. I am well aware that there is no way that you can do your own return as you are 89 and don't own a computer.

I'm seriously considering 2.

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Replying to CMED:
By Paul D Utherone
20th Jun 2019 10:42

I don't think that 2 gets you out of MLR requirements, and lack of supervision seems to be becoming a disqualifier for having an HMRC Agent account.

I recently had a letter saying that they were changing requirements and wanting proof of my supervising body.

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Oaklea
By Chris.Mann
14th Mar 2018 12:10

Update 14th March 2018

Having received an email prompt to attempt payment again, which has been "unsuccessful" I've emailed the digital (customer) support team and expressed, in no uncertain terms, what I think about their systems!
May I suggest those affected by this do the same?
[email protected]
Of course, we've all nothing else to do, have we?

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Replying to Chris.Mann:
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By CMED
14th Mar 2018 18:21

Sorry about this, but I had the email prompt today and my payment was successful.

I allowed myself a wry smile whilst making the payment, as I typed in the payment reference number I noted it included the numbers 666. Apt, don't you think?

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By Vaishali
19th Jun 2019 17:28

Dear all,
Having applied for MLR with HMRC in January 2019, the fee of £280 was taken straightaway.
Today(19 June 19)!!! I have received n=an email stating there is an approval check fee which I have not paid of £40.
When I was applying and filling in the form online, there was no mention of Approval check fee. Is this another gian institute which will completely loose its power since I have had to wait almost 5 months to hear from HMRC , and now today I get an email saying I need to pay this fee. Does anyone have an idea what this is all about!!! Has anyone paid and where to pay?

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By Malcolm McFarlin
23rd Jan 2020 17:38

I applied to renew my MLR and paid £300.00 on 02/09/19 and noted that my renewal application was under review by HMRC. Today 23/01/20 I received an e-mail from HMRC stating that I have have to pay £40.00 Approval check fee. Like other contributors I am certain there was no mention of this fee when I completed my renewal application. HMRC have taken 5 months to reply to my application and have now given me 21 days to pay the £40.00 or will cancel my application and imply like everybody else suggest it is my fault for not paying it.
So my MLR fee increased from £130.00 to £300 per annum plus £40.00. Seems like a good business to be in -this HMRC.

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