VAT Online for Agents - HMRC website

awwallace22

Hi ,

Has anyone registered for this service yet?

I was going to set up a number of my clients so that I could send their VAT returns online, but came accross a stumbling point. Is it right that the Agent has to be VAT registered to enable this service. If so that counts me out! Im already registered for VAT Registration (apply for registration on behalf of clients) and all the other online services, seems daft not to be able to send a VAT return online!

Let me know your experiences!

Thanks

deanshepherd

Yes, this is a known problem which HMRC are supposed to be resolving 'at some point'. When that will be is anyone's guess!

Sue

The latest news I have read was that non VAT registered Agents should be able to file VAT returns for Clients online by April 2010 and HMRC were hoping to make it available before the end of 2009.

A-Vic

Has anyone loads of info on this as i would like to get my manager to start it to save time

deanshepherd

Sue wrote: »

The latest news I have read was that non VAT registered Agents should be able to file VAT returns for Clients online by April 2010 and HMRC were hoping to make it available before the end of 2009.

I would put my money on it not being available by the end of 2009. I would put your money on it not being available by April 2010!

Sue

Not sure I would put my money on anything as far as HMRC are concerned!!

In one place I have read they ‘ guarantee’ it to be ready for April 2010 and in other they ‘plan’ to be in time for April 2010.

lorraine

I have tried to register but it didn't work for some reason! I will try again when I get the chance! - it's annoying these things should be easier to use....

Vonni

Hi the Accountants I work for, with their clients approval, register the individual or business and file returns on their behalf - we then email the acknowledgement to our client advising of the VAT liability or repayment - and the date that it will clear their nominated bank account.

If you have a 64-8 in place as an agent you can speak to HMR&C on behalf of your client to obtain the effective date on the registration certificate, and as you probably already do your client's VAT you will no doubt already have details required from the last VAT return submitted.

This appears to work very well for us and is something that I now use for my own portfolio of private clients as I'm not VAT registered.

deanshepherd

So you have to log in with different details every time you want to file a VAT return?

Vonni

Yes you do which is a bit of a pain but it does mean that you can provide the service of on line filing for your clients without being VAT registered. To be honest I have no idea why my employer uses this option as they're VAT registered so could easily register as an agent to provide this service ... I must make a point of asking.

Sue

Hi Dean

Any chance that bet is still available??????

Sue

jilt

Sue wrote: »

Hi Dean

Any chance that bet is still available??????

Sue

Thanks Sue, just got my reference number

Poodle

Vonni wrote: »

Hi the Accountants I work for, with their clients approval, register the individual or business and file returns on their behalf - we then email the acknowledgement to our client advising of the VAT liability or repayment - and the date that it will clear their nominated bank account.

If you have a 64-8 in place as an agent you can speak to HMR&C on behalf of your client to obtain the effective date on the registration certificate, and as you probably already do your client's VAT you will no doubt already have details required from the last VAT return submitted.

This appears to work very well for us and is something that I now use for my own portfolio of private clients as I'm not VAT registered.

You might like to review this since I do believe that there is some sort of problem embedded in VAT legislation that does not cover you as an agent if you submit in this way. Something to do with the electronic signature.

Anyway they need to resolve this by the 1st April because of the compulsary requirements for filing on line for new VAT registrations and those with a T/O in excess of £100K

deanshepherd

All bets are off!!!

jilt

deanshepherd wrote: »

All bets are off!!!

Spoilsport!

Sue

Although we could be speaking too soon. There's still a chance it will fail when we start registering Clients!

jilt

Sue wrote: »

Although we could be speaking too soon. There's still a chance it will fail when we start registering Clients!

Yep did think that myself

Sue

Hi Jilt

Looks like I spoke too soon!!!

Has your Agent Number for VAT been activated yet?

Sue

jilt

I'll check later, too busy at present I'm afraid.

Sue

Don't worry about checking, problem now sorted.

jilt

Sue wrote: »

Don't worry about checking, problem now sorted.

Great stuff thanks for that

Poodle

From the 23rd November practicioners trading below the VAT threshold no longer had to be VAT registered in order to to file VAT returns online.

Has anyone deregistered for VAT since then and then encountered problems with filing their clients VAT returns?

Also, would you say that an email from a client is sufficient to act as a declaration by the client confirming the content of a VAT return? Or do you all insist on an actual signature as confirmation before submitting a VAT return as an agent? (condition 46.7 of HMR&C's T&C's for online filing)

deanshepherd

Sometimes I don't even get a confirmation email back!

I certainly wouldn't get the client to manually sign anything. Defeats the point.