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HMRC puts out authorised agent warning

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23rd Sep 2013
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HMRC has warned tax agents that it is unacceptable to advertise their services by using the HMRC logo or stating that they are registered or authorised by the department.

It is unclear how many websites currently break this rule, but HMRC said it is misleading because it implies that these agents have been endorsed by them.

“HMRC does not approve, accredit or endorse anyone,” a new statement on its website reads, adding that the HMRC name and logo is protected by crown copyright.

The Revenue explains that tax agents must register with HMRC in order to deal with the department on behalf of a client, but that this is a process purely to enable agents to interact with the department. 

In addition, some firms may be registered with HMRC for anti-money laundering purposes.

The statement is tucked away on HMRC’s website, but the issue could be a concern for many accountants who find themselves competing against other firms who make false claims.

The logo warning was brought to the attention of AccountingWEB following its inclusion in the Tax Advice Network's weekly newsletter.

The newsletter advised that accountants could point this out to prospective clients. It added the following advice:

“Once the new client has agreed to appoint you as their agent, you need to get an authorisation with HMRC in place (form 64-8 or online equivalent). However, there is a “catch 22” with taxpayers who are new to self-assessment. You can’t use the online authorisation system, as the new client doesn’t have UTR number. If you submit a paper 64-8 form, that won’t be processed until HMRC has set-up a record for the taxpayer and issued a UTR.

“The solution is to complete the application for self-assessment or notification of self-employment (forms SA1, CWF1, SA400 etc.) and staple that form to the form 64-8, submitting the two together to the HMRC central agent authorisation team (CAAT). A specialist team within CAAT should deal with those forms together.

“As an insurance against loss of forms in the system, get the new client to sign several 64-8s so you have a spare form to submit when required,” it said.

HMRC warned that if it becomes aware of misleading claims or advertising, it will take legal action.

An HMRC spokesperson told AccountingWEB that as an independent public body the department does not endorse any particular product, service or agent over another.

“HMRC does not authorise the use of their logo and where any marketing material is found to give the impression of a relationship with or endorsement by the department, the department will take action to address the problem.”

The spokesperson added that they did not have a specific channel to inform them on logo abuse, but the best way would be to use their complaint phone lines.

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By The Innkeeper
03rd Oct 2013 12:21

@JAAAdams

 had a similar thing years ago when I had a letter from the old contributions agency with the only clue as to the person was an NI number.......................................

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