I am trying to get authorisation to do a clients VAT return . I have checked all the information that is required and am 100 percent certain it is right. But when I try and request authorisation I get a big red cross along the top saying it doesn't recognize the company details etc. .... I have been speaking to various departents of HMRC for agents helplines all over the country and no one can help me. One guy said he couldn't help me because I didnt complete the 64-8...? I thought that was what I was trying to do???
Can anyone help me with this? I don't know what to do next
Best wishes
Georgie
PS The clients accountant has been doing it but have requested that I do it from now on.
I had this issue a while ago and I found that the only way to get the correct information was to get a copy of the VAT registration Certificate from the company as this is the only document that you can be sure will have the correct information
If they don't have it you could call HMRC (sorry don't know which number) and get a copy of the certificate sent to the company who can then forward it on to you because at this point as far as HMRC are concerned you are not the agent.
If you don't have that 64-8 then HMRC wont help you... Have you formally signed the client off from the other accountant? And asked the client to fill a 64-8 in? (it has to be printed off and signed so you will know if you have)
Have you registered for VAT for agents yet as well? You have to click an option that says your an agent and you don't need a VAT number, they then give you an authorisation code, (print this off) then you sit back for 2-3 weeks while you get your Government gateway code, which you then enter and activate the service. (sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.. :( lol ) only then will HMRC even contemplate talking to you...! :/
No you are not teaching me to suck eggs ....you have got me thinking. I have totally misunderstood this. I am registered as an agent and yes I got the authorisation code and the Government gateway code which I activated. So I thought that was it. When I log on into my account its all set up for various services I can offer including vat. I thought unless I have read it wrong that this procedure replaced printing off a 64-8 as it was much quicker i.e once I put in the clients details etc HMRC would then send the client a code who would then pass to me?
It takes me through the process of the clients vat reg number, business postcode, last amount in box 5 on the last return submitted etc and then it says it doesn't recognize the companies details....Have emailed the client to confirm their details but am still waiting to hear back from them.
No you are not teaching me to suck eggs ....you have got me thinking. I have totally misunderstood this. I am registered as an agent and yes I got the authorisation code and the Government gateway code which I activated. So I thought that was it. When I log on into my account its all set up for various services I can offer including vat. I thought unless I have read it wrong that this procedure replaced printing off a 64-8 as it was much quicker i.e once I put in the clients details etc HMRC would then send the client a code who would then pass to me?
It takes me through the process of the clients vat reg number, business postcode, last amount in box 5 on the last return submitted etc and then it says it doesn't recognize the companies details....Have emailed the client to confirm their details but am still waiting to hear back from them.
Kind regards Georgie
Hi
I agree with you Georgie, I also thought that the process you outlined above replaced the old 64-8. Providing you have all of the correct information, HMRC will send you client a code who, provided they want you to act as their agent will forward this code to you, it should happen a lot quicker than sending a 64-8 to HMRC and wait for them to process it.
i had a similar experiance recently there must be some of the details you are entering do not match those that hmrc have registered. The only way around this is to get copy of vat cert from client to check address, post code etc
Again like the others, i had EXACTLY this issue yesterday! lol
As far as i know the 64-8 system is still in place and you have to print the form off and have the signatures etc etc... (doubt this will change, as its a paper trail for HMRC) So as long as you have a 64-8 for the client your ok for phase 1... (being allowed to enter the information!)
Phase 2 is as you say entering all the info in, VAT number, Principle post code, Box 5 figure and so on. Once all the correct information in is place only then will the system flick you over to 'Phase 3'. This is were your client (with an already completed 64-8 on file) will receive a letter from HMRC instructing them that someone (an Agent, ie you!) is requesting their information and authorisation to complete VAT returns on their behalf. On this letter is a code which they give to you so you can enter onto your HMRC login, once entered you will have the authorisation and be able to complete the VAT return for them. (The client will get the letter within 7 days and the code will be active for 30).
The only reason why your getting the error at the top when you enter the phase 2 info Georgie is something is wrong with the info your inputting. My example from yesterday is: (ABC is fictitious name btw... :) )
ABC sole trader registered for VAT (voluntarily i might add) and got the numer 123 4567 890. excellent, all set up job done!
ABC then decided they wanted to go Ltd, but form a new company rather than upgrade the sole trader, and called it ABC Ltd. ABC Ltd wanted a VAT number too, but upon advisement from HMRC they transfered the VAT number from the sole to the Ltd.
ABC ltd now has ABC's VAT number. Fine, no issues; UNTILL I fgo to activate them on my Agent VAT system, where it gives me the same 'wrong information error' so i called HMRC and asked what was going on. i gave them the usual 64-8 required info (clients name, UTR, and address) and they let me talk about client (hence the need for the 64-8). I gave HMRC the info that i was inputting on the authorisation screen and it turned out i was using the wrong registration date. I was using the date (from which i thought was needed) for when ABC Ltd started to use the VAT number.... NO, its from when the number was first created when ABC sole Trader first asked for it.
A small error, but an error none the less, and one that can be easily over looked. Do what Mark said and ask them for the ORIGINAL certifcate and if they cant find it phone the VAT helpline (no agent dedicated lines im affraid) they will be able to help..... but guess what.... ONLY if you have a 64-8 for the client. :D
Hope this helps Georgie! :D
-- Edited by ClawzCTR on Thursday 9th of August 2012 11:22:10 PM
