I worked at a firm where our agent log in for SA (personal only) was "hacked" (by a disgruntled ex-employee) and several false tax returns were filed creating tens of thousands of pounds of refunds all paid to the "agent" bank account.
As soon as we found the first case we reported the hack to HMRC and our log ins were terminated. We had to wait for them to issue new log in credentials, after investigating to ensure it wasn't anything to do with the firm and that the clients weren't involved, and HMRC to transfer all the clients to the new "account". It took months, but fortunately it was very early in the TR season.
The only saving grace was that the firm had the sense to have different credentials for CT, PAYE and VAT so these were all unaffected.
I have to say though, in this case HMRC were reasonably helpful and acted as quickly as they could.
Tax Dragon, thanks for the pointers I am working my way through the various sections. If I am completely honest, I think I am going to have to pass this question over to a specialist as advised by Red Leader. Reading the Act is possibly muddying the water more than clearing it for me, but I am genuinely grateful for the assist, very much appreciated.
Red Leader, I have dealt with Trusts and Offshore Trust on a fairly regular basis, just never anything with a structure like this hence being stumped by this particular question.
My answers
I worked at a firm where our agent log in for SA (personal only) was "hacked" (by a disgruntled ex-employee) and several false tax returns were filed creating tens of thousands of pounds of refunds all paid to the "agent" bank account.
As soon as we found the first case we reported the hack to HMRC and our log ins were terminated. We had to wait for them to issue new log in credentials, after investigating to ensure it wasn't anything to do with the firm and that the clients weren't involved, and HMRC to transfer all the clients to the new "account". It took months, but fortunately it was very early in the TR season.
The only saving grace was that the firm had the sense to have different credentials for CT, PAYE and VAT so these were all unaffected.
I have to say though, in this case HMRC were reasonably helpful and acted as quickly as they could.
TD, thank you that link was really helpful and explained things much clearer.
Thank you so much, that really clarified things for me.
Tax Dragon, thanks for the pointers I am working my way through the various sections. If I am completely honest, I think I am going to have to pass this question over to a specialist as advised by Red Leader. Reading the Act is possibly muddying the water more than clearing it for me, but I am genuinely grateful for the assist, very much appreciated.
Red Leader, I have dealt with Trusts and Offshore Trust on a fairly regular basis, just never anything with a structure like this hence being stumped by this particular question.