Problem updating agent's address with HMRC for VAT

for a Non-VAT registered agent with a "VAT agent reference number"

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I'm having problems updating my agent details with HMRC for VAT clients and wondered if anyone has found a way around this.

I registered with HMRC as a non VAT-registered agent with a "VAT agent reference number" many years ago. My address changed about 5 years ago and all my other services (PAYE, SA, CT) were updated with my current details. I tried to do the same for VAT clients and remember going round in circles as there was no mechanism to update my own agent address for VAT clients as a non-VAT registered agent. The person I spoke to at HMRC said that the only way to do this to was set up a new standalone Government Gateway ID solely for my VAT clients and then request a new "VAT agent reference number" and go through 64-8/authorisation for each client individually.  He did also say that the system housing this address wasn't integrated into other HMRC systems so it didn't make any practicial difference what address was showing as it wouldn't be used for any communicaton. At the time, I still had access to the old address and took the path of least resistance and left it as it was.

I haven't had any practical issues arising from this situation and successfully gone through the VAT authorisation process many times, until today where I've been trying to do an authorisation for a new VAT client. When I click through the online screens, it goes to "Submitted" with the green tick, but shortly after, I then  receive an email from the ChRIS notification service headed "unable to issue authorisation code to client". It has a standard paragraph saying the details submitted don't match their records and then a second part saying:

"Exceptionally, we may not have an Agent address for you. If this is the case, please contact HMRC and then request a reissue of the authorisation code."

The client details are 100% correct and having now spoken to HMRC, they have confirmed that isn't the problem. They do have my old address on their system but couldn't confirm if this was what was tripping things up. The person I spoke did spend some time looking into it for me, only to come back and say that there was still no way of updating my agent address on this particular system, and that the migration of information to MTD might be behind the errors.

If I was VAT registered, my agent address would simply follow any update for change of details. It seems ridiculous that HMRC don't have a way of updating an agent address for non VAT-registered agents short of going through a full blown re-authorisation process for each individual client.

Replies (7)

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By doubletrouble
21st Jul 2021 13:10

I still use my old address when dealing with them on the phone seems the easiest way

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Replying to doubletrouble:
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By Truthsayer
21st Jul 2021 13:40

Same with me.

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By mumpin
21st Jul 2021 13:57

"If I was VAT registered, my agent address would simply follow any update for change of details."
Not if you were a non-Vat registered agent originally and have subsequently Vat registered. You will be stuck with your original registration address. The only way to correct it would involve getting all your Vat registered clients to re-authorise you.

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ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
21st Jul 2021 14:13

"If I was VAT registered, my agent address would simply follow any update for change of details."

Nope. It's literally impossible for a VAT agent to change the address HMRC have for them, irrespective of whether you're VAT registered or not.

I can (and have many times) changed my adderss as a VAT registered trader, but my Agent address is still about 6 offices and 7 years ago.

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By lisaowen
22nd Jul 2021 11:41

After speaking to HMRC I had to get a new VAT agency log in for the same reason as they had no way of updating my agency address without attaching it to a VAT record.

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Replying to lisaowen:
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By I'msorryIhaven'taclue
22nd Jul 2021 12:38

Agreed, we're VAT registered so I was able to change our VAT agent address by writing in (as a matter of fact I didn't bother; instead I registered the new address when registering the new MTD Agent Services Account as I figured the old VAT account, together with its old address, would peter out by April 2022).

But somewhere along the registration process path, or its side turns, was a HMRC notice saying exactly what Lisa has said: you'll need to cancel the old agency login and acquire one anew.

Unless, I guess, you're presently trying to change your address on the old "HMRC Online Services for Agents Account" and haven't yet registered for a new MTD ASA ("Agent Services Account") in which case you might be able to follow my lead by introducing your new address whilst registering the latter account.

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Replying to I'msorryIhaven'taclue:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
22nd Jul 2021 13:15

Oh god, now I’ve got to work out which address I used when registering for ASA. It least that was only 1 office ago … or was it 2? Ahhh

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