I seem to recall that from 1st April all companies have to submit vat returns online. All of the companies I do paperwork for are not registered for online returns.
option 1 Do they need to register themselves
option 2 Can I do it for them with there approval (pretending to be them)
option3 Do I have to register as an agent and if so how do I go about doing this?
I use Sage V16 which allows me to process the return.
From 1 April 2010 you will have to submit your VAT Returns online and pay any VAT due electronically if either of the following applies:
* you have an annual turnover of £100,000 or more (exclusive of VAT) * you register or should have registered for VAT on or after 1 April 2010 (regardless of your turnover)
If you fall into either of the groups mentioned above, you will have to file all your VAT Returns online (including nil and repayment returns) even if your turnover drops below £100,000 in the future.
In answer to how you do clients VAT returns online where the above applies, you would need to register as an agent.
cheers,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Personally I think that experience is worth a hundred certificates but you may find it cheaper to be qualified due to things like money laundering regulations.
Are you registered for Money laundering?
If you've got a practicing certificate with the ICB this covers you for money laundering otherwise I think it's £125 that you have to pay over to be checked out and approved. (there's another £50 they want off you as well for Money Laundering approval but can't remember what that bits for).
You register for VAT using the same principles as for Self assesment. There was a thread on here earlier this week about it. Basically though you need an agent reference which you get from HMRC in order to be able to register as a VAT agent which you can do online.
Hope that this helps,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I have registered my clients as themselves at their premises on their machines, with their IDs and passwords filed in their VAT file.
Like you I'm qualified by experience (as well as very old certificates) but am currently doing IAB L3 computerised to gain membership which is cheaper than MLR through HMRC.
or you could get the client to register and use their passwords on their behalf, that what I do for one of my clients and in work. It may be an option.
if you are using Sage which has the ability to send the returns online, then I would suggest the client registers for the service - you can do it for them, its not hard. I have done this for where I work and also registered myself as an agent for those outside. The letters will obviously go to the client address, which hopefully you can collect at some point to complete the online registration process.
You do not need any qualifications etc etc to register with HMRC to use any of their online services.
Ive just done this for a client. He has to register first and when he has his reference number come via the post then you can get them to complete a FBI12 (think this is the one).. Post it off & within a week it will be linked to your direct link. Some customer do prefer to file the vat themselves though as they pay them at the same time. Its an easy enough process. If you are not registered for Money Laundering then you could be subject to a fine, they did actually check me with the IAB when I registered for paye & vat agent.
I was under the impression that so long as the client had signed a 64-8, all would be well, thats how I read it anyway. I'll now have to check this out.
Is this the same procedure for self employed and Ltd co's do you know?
If you are registered as an agent then you apply to register your client online, you will require:
1. The date they were registed for VAT 2. The box 5 figure from their last VAT return
HMRC will then issue a code which will be sent directly to the client, you then have to input this code within one month of it being issued. You will then be able to submit electronic returns on their behalf.
You will still require a 64-8 to provide you with authorisation to deal with HMRC on behalf of your client.
Form FBI2 is a form to authorise an agent for online activities on behalf of clients in regard to PAYE.
The procedure is the same for all clients irrespective of the type on entity.
