problem with obtaining agent authority to

HMRC for VAT.

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hi I would be grateful if a member could provide some help please on this: Trying to get online authority to act for vat for a company. Gave the address shown on the last vat return as the principal place of business and all other details requested as part of the standad online authorisation request and yet the application for authority is rejected by HMRC. Any ideas what the problem might be - seems  that all information entered is correct but HMRC says in rejection email that information entered does nto match infor they hold. Could it be because the company has not filed the last 4 vat returns or because we dont have corporation tax authority yet? The director soke to them and they said they would change the business address - but if they do that my understanding is HMRC will reject as business address will be same as the agents address. thanks for your help. 

Replies (7)

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Worm
By TheLambtonWorm
25th May 2017 08:55

The director should be able to give the VAT helpline a ring and ask the details that need to be entered in.

It will have nothing to do with the corporation tax authority.

As an aside - I've got a similar problem with a new client - they registered themselves for online VAT, lost the gateway ID and moved premises.

I now need to submit the VAT return by the 7th of next month - but it's not going to be possible for me to to that since it unbelievably takes them up to 4 weeks to get an address amended from the point at which they are informed.

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Replying to TheLambtonWorm:
RedFive
By RedFive
25th May 2017 10:36

I had a friend who in this position registered for a new gateaway as the Director, registered for online vat and hey presto was able to submit.

He tells me that was the quickest way until the agent palaver was sorted out.

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Replying to RedFive:
Worm
By TheLambtonWorm
25th May 2017 11:05

We've tried this, but unfortunately the client has already added the VAT service to the gateway account, which means the VAT service for the same VAT number can't be added to another gateway account.

It would be fine if they didn't take an insane amount of time to change an address. I just can't understand why if a guy types an address into their system one day, it takes up to another 28 to actually be used.

Thanks (1)
Replying to TheLambtonWorm:
RedFive
By RedFive
25th May 2017 11:13

Ah no worries.

"I just can't understand why if a guy types an address into their system one day, it takes up to another 28 to actually be used."

That is because with doing things digitally HMRC firmly beleieve in do as I say, not as I do.

MTD = Lipstick on a pig.

Thanks (1)
By Duggimon
25th May 2017 09:11

You need to enter the box 5 figure of the last VAT return. This will probably be the figure on the assessment that will have been issued by HMRC rather than the last box 5 figure on the return a year ago, could that be the issue?

edit: that said I would agree the quickest and easiest way would be for the director to call the VAT helpline and get the info you need to complete.

Thanks (1)
avatar
By DMGbus
25th May 2017 13:44

A quick way to appoint an agent for VAT return filing - avoiding authorisation codes by post:

Client uses their GG ID & PW to log onto:
www.gateway.gov.uk

Their list of services appears (hopefully including VAT return filing).

Client clicks on "Manage services"

Client clicks on "Appoint agent"

Client inputs the agent's "Gateway Agent ID"
(eg. format example - "Graham-DMG85QQ4K2WDQ")

Click on continue

Log in dialogue appears again, client types in their GG ID & PW

Agent is now appointed

The above works for other services that the client is registered for.
The above method in fact is MANDATORY for appiinting an agent to deal with ECSL filing.

Thanks (1)
Replying to DMGbus:
By forrest gump
25th May 2017 14:19

hi thanks for the tip. I followed your instructions and appointed my firms as vat agents via the client's government gateway. Are you suggesting that in a few days the client will show in our list of clients on the HMRC website?

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