How does the HMRC agent authorisation process work

We request access to your HMRC account so that we have visibility of your account and also so that we can talk with HMRC on your behalf about your Corporation Tax, Personal Tax, VAT and/or PAYE. There are a few steps to obtaining authorisation to your HMRC account.

For Personal Tax and Corporation Tax the process is as follows:

1. We request access using our Agent account on the gov website. We will use your UTR number for Personal Tax and Corporation Tax (you can find out more about your UTR in this FAQ). Alternatively we will use your PAYE references that you will have received from HMRC when setting up Payroll to obtain access to your PAYE account.
2. A unique code is posted from HMRC to the address that they have on file, the code will start SA for Self Assessment, PE for payroll and CT for Corporation Tax.
3. Forward the code to us before the expiry date and we add this to our request on the gov website and that authorises us to view your account and also speak with HMRC on your behalf.

For VAT the process is as follows:

1. We will send you a link to complete the authorisation request. This will be sent via email from us.
2. You will need to ensure you have a HMRC account, with VAT added as a tax service.
3. When you click on the link we send you, it will take you to your HMRC account, and you can confirm the authorisation request.
4. We will then get an email notification from HMRC that you have authorised us to act as your agents, and the process is complete.