Online HMRC authorisation for payroll

BCASL

I wonder if anyone has had the same problem as us?
We do all of our 64-8 applications using the online facility, where the client is sent a code, which we input and then get access to the clients records on the HMRC system, this also USUALLY allows us to speak to HMRC on the clients behalf - so far so good!
However in the last week or so, we have contacted HMRC about a specific client, who we have previously been in contact with HMRC about - now they are refusing to talk with us, saying there is no 64-8 on record, yet all of the cleints details still appear on the HMRC area that we can access. There is a further quirk, in that if you go to the "about my client" part if the site, under the authorisation bit in the lower left had corner it says either "HM Revenue & Customs doesn't have a record of an Online Agent for you. Please follow this link to authorise an Online Agent", the link takes you to a PAPER FBI2 form - or "HM Revenue & Customs is unable to display your Online Agent details."
I contacted the online services desk today to confirm that we DO have 64-8 in place, but they are investigating.
This is specifically a payroll problem at the moment.
I have a working together meeting with HMRC on the 20th, I wondered if anybody else had similar circumstances that they might be prepared to share?
I'd be grateful for any feedback - many thanks

Rozzi Rainbow

Not really answering your question but when I first set up our Agent Online for payroll, the first 3 or 4 clients I authorised never showed up on our client list! They were authorised though coz HMRC would speak to me about them. After numerours phone calls to the online helpdesk - starting in October last year - who said they'd look into adding them to our client list, they still aren't there to this day!!

TheAbacus

HMRC authorisation

Hi BCASL
We have come across this and I think you are suffering because there is some confusion within HMRC about agent authorisation, and the difference between Online authorisation and the 64-8 procedures. If you look at the HMRC website there is no mention of Online authorisation allowing you to "speak" to them about a client. At one time Online authorisation was purely for online submissions.
We solved this problem by registering the client for Online submissions but also getting a 64-8 signed and sent to Longbenton. As the HMRC website says "Form 64-8 authorises us to communicate with an accountant, tax agent or adviser acting on your behalf."
I hope this helps.
TheAbacus

Monsoon

TheAbacus wrote: »

Hi BCASL
We have come across this and I think you are suffering because there is some confusion within HMRC about agent authorisation, and the difference between Online authorisation and the 64-8 procedures. If you look at the HMRC website there is no mention of Online authorisation allowing you to "speak" to them about a client. At one time Online authorisation was purely for online submissions.
We solved this problem by registering the client for Online submissions but also getting a 64-8 signed and sent to Longbenton. As the HMRC website says "Form 64-8 authorises us to communicate with an accountant, tax agent or adviser acting on your behalf."
I hope this helps.
TheAbacus

Same here. We treat 64-8s as one thing and online authorisations as another.
64-8 doesn't mean it will appear online (it sometimes does for SA, but never for VAT, CT or Payroll)
Online doesn't mean they will talk to you as if you had a 64-8. So we do both.

Working together.... to make life harder!!

deanshepherd

Monsoon wrote: »

64-8 doesn't mean it will appear online (it sometimes does for SA, but never for VAT, CT or Payroll)

My experience is now.. rarely with SA, usually with CT, (VAT and PAYE require a separate process).

Monsoon wrote: »

Working together.... to make life harder!!

Agreed!

Jill S

BCASL wrote: »

I wonder if anyone has had the same problem as us?
We do all of our 64-8 applications using the online facility, where the client is sent a code, which we input and then get access to the clients records on the HMRC system, this also USUALLY allows us to speak to HMRC on the clients behalf - so far so good!
However in the last week or so, we have contacted HMRC about a specific client, who we have previously been in contact with HMRC about - now they are refusing to talk with us, saying there is no 64-8 on record, yet all of the cleints details still appear on the HMRC area that we can access. There is a further quirk, in that if you go to the "about my client" part if the site, under the authorisation bit in the lower left had corner it says either "HM Revenue & Customs doesn't have a record of an Online Agent for you. Please follow this link to authorise an Online Agent", the link takes you to a PAPER FBI2 form - or "HM Revenue & Customs is unable to display your Online Agent details."
I contacted the online services desk today to confirm that we DO have 64-8 in place, but they are investigating.
This is specifically a payroll problem at the moment.
I have a working together meeting with HMRC on the 20th, I wondered if anybody else had similar circumstances that they might be prepared to share?
I'd be grateful for any feedback - many thanks

I have always filed 64-8 paper version, as I was told by HMRC that was the procedure. Then once it has been processed the online access is automatic. If it's changed I'm out of date.

Monsoon

Jill S wrote: »

I was told by HMRC that was the procedure.

Doesn't mean it's going to work though!

Dean, interesting you say CT happens automatically mostly now - I've NEVER known it to work, ever! They clearly are still totally random with it. No surprise there.

deanshepherd

Very interesting.

I have only ever filed paper 64-8s for my CT clients and most of those appear on my online list.

I also only ever filed paper 64-8s for my SA clients, however, in the past 6 months I would say only around 25% of those actually reach my online list without me having to call up and get someone to do it manually.