MLR renewal - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

MLR renewal

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi Joanne

I was wondering the same, I kept meaning to give them a ring but completely forgot until this post, this will be my first renewal so did not know what to expect as last year I had to post a cheque with my application.

Do you still need to post a cheque or can you pay online?

I just tried to ring them but could not get through, probably not around on Saturday but will phone again on Tuesday.

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Hi Doug
Thanks - thought it might just be me.

Looks like another ploy to get more cash out of folk!!!!

First one is always by cheque for some reason, but he next ones can be via online banking, care though its via Barclays and not the usual Co-op/Cumbernauld sort code - www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-money-laundering-regulations-fees-and-penalty-charges (or by cheque if you prefer)

If you do manage to get through can you update us please (only cos I dont want to be on hold on the phone as well! Cheeky I know!)

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi Joanne

Will let you know what they say on Tuesday

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Thank you Doug. biggrin

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Last year I got a reminder, but your post has just made me realise mines overdue, and I never got a reminder. Ooops, will get on to that tomorrow.

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

I found my letter from last year - it was dated March!!!!!!! Bloody naughty of them! Typically they do not always warn people of such changes and expect us all to by pyschic BUT it does still state on their website that they will send a reminder. Also - last year my letter had a declaration on it that I had to send back, so know Im wondering if that is still required. I have emailed them but dont hold your breathe on a response.

So Doug - can you add that to your question when you phone them, ie about them needing the declaration and how we get round that.

Oh now I feel cheeky for asking Doug! But you could have a great career as a PA!!!!!!!! wink

Oh heck John - you may have to pay another admin thingy fee!!!!!!!!!!

-- Edited by Cheshire on Monday 17th of April 2017 02:14:40 PM

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi Joanne

Out all tomorrow morning but I will get on to it as soon as I am back and will let you know what they say.

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Cheshire wrote:
Oh heck John - you may have to pay another admin thingy fee!!!!!!!!!!

They tried doing that two years ago, as they received my application after 1st April*, and I argued the toss that I posted it before. Won on that score and ready to do battle again lol. Actually, as it's a renewal there shouldn't be an admin fee anyway.

*I'd moved from sole trader to Ltd Co, so it was a new application

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Take a look at this

www.gov.uk/government/publications/money-laundering-regulations-application-for-registration-mlr100/apply-to-register-online

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi Joanne

You cant get a PA and then go and do all the work yourself!!!

I phoned them before I had a chance to read your post, they said that reminder letters are still being sent out but they have had to stagger them due to the sheer volume of numbers (so don't hold your breath)

As far as renewal you can still do it online using the payment options and a certificate will be sent out to you (no signing of declaration needed) or you can use the link you have just posted and renew that way, which as from next year will be the only way you can do it and no certificate will be issued.

HTH

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Hi Doug

I was told they weren't sending out reminders because they were upgrading to a new system, but that peeps would either receive an email or a letter that is being sent out from this week.

Encouragement is to register online under the new system as per the link but why the hell do you have to send an email request to get the link to apply online??????

I've done that but its seem a stupid way to go about it.

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi John

Sounds about right 2 different people 2 different reasons

The person I spoke to did not say anything about having to email them, I got the impression that I would just have to complete an online form, but now having opened the link I can see that this is not the case

But at least we know what to do now!

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Douglas Stroud wrote:

Hi Joanne
You cant get a PA and then go and do all the work yourself!!!

Lol - Im a control freak boss as my ex staff will attest to!!! I was thinking you might be on a Thursday/Tuesday sickie! biggrin biggrin I know, how very dare I!!!!! But payback you will have (**)

Do NOT request the email forms thing. The online process is just via the BETA site at the moment, ie its a test portal and you can only do it by request, which they will then send you if you send the email! Bloody typical bonkers stuff from HMRC. The reason I say dont do it is if like me you are up against it with work, the flippin invite link they send you then takes between 30-45 minutes (**) to complete the first time, with the carrot of oh just think how much easier it will be next year!

Loving the way you and John got completely different messages - aint that just another typical HMRC pile of pants!!!!!!!

I am now just wondering if I have ever had a certificate. Certificates go in frames on walls. Think I had my registration number on the back of a fag packet from them!

Just think how much money they are making from this ridiculous waste of time process.

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Thank you both for phoning and updating us.

Just thought I would give an update on the online test process - OMG, avoid if you can until you really need to. It asks for so much info, rattled through most of it in about 20 minutes cos I have all the info to hand, but it pratically wanted my bra size! Info re what training done for MLR, where from and when. Ive bounced two issues back to the team at HMRC as for renewals its not all to clear, but for newbies it is. The information requested can be done in mangeable chunks and one of the issues I bounced back was because I only half read the initial requirements and then forgot what I had to put in and there was no way back to check again what they wanted nor a help function. So know I am on a two day wait for a response.

Emeraldlilly · Member

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me jumping in here, rather than starting a new thread.

I'm trying to apply for the MLR on HMRC's website (new bookkeeping business) and a quick question about the fees.

I need to pay £100 for registering a new service, £115 registering one place of business, then it's asking about 'fit and proper test'?! what is this and does it apply to me?

Many thanks

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Hi Gemma

It only applies if you're a money service business, a Trust or a Company service provider so you can safely ignore that bit.

Emeraldlilly · Member

What is classed as a money service business?

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Places that transmit or exchange money, a typical example would be Western Union Shops.

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Hi Joanne

Did you manage to get the renewal done via the new system?

Anyway having spent most of the weekend looking for my bra size which I cant seem to find anyway I have decided to take the easy option for this year and renew using faster payments, just wanted to check that the renewal fee is £115.00 as I can not seem to find it on the website.

Cheers

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Douglas Stroud wrote:

Hi Joanne

Anyway having spent most of the weekend looking for my bra size which I cant seem to find anyway

Despite raising two queries on the same day, being given duff info on one and batting that one back and sorting that one, Im still waiting for the other query to be answered by HMRC (now outside their own two working day turnaround!), so a chaser will be sent tomorrow night if I still havent heard anything. Its practically ready to go - what a royal pain that was.

Yes the fee is still £115 for a renewal and one which I must pay as well before the end of the month.

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

The saga continues
I renewed and paid on 26 April. Letter dated 5 May received today saying I need to renew and now have until 5 June! (Old mlr expired 30 April). Letter states I can only do so online. Wasted 30 minutes of my life listening to that sh*te music they play when they leave you on hold to HMRC but got a helpful chappie on the other end of the line. Now despite the online process ending with you will be able to check the position on your tax account in 3 days, it does appear that HMRC have up to 45 days to review your application. So Im in the 45 waiting period.

Apparently letters went out to all MLR businesses to say it would be going online back in December 2016. I didnt get one!

Keep an eye on your MLR expiry dates folks and dont be late or leave it too much to the last minute to renew.

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Cheshire wrote:

Apparently letters went out to all MLR businesses to say it would be going online back in December 2016. I didnt get one!

Hi Joanne

I didn't get one either but must admit after your earlier posts I opted to go for the faster payment option which I did a couple of weeks ago and forgot all about it until today when I received the same letter that you must have got saying I need to renew by 5 June, the very next letter I opened was my new MLR certificate dated 27 April.

Looks like I got lucky this year but will have to go through the same rubbish you are experiencing next year

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Deja vu. My MLR was 30th April as well. I thought it was end of March but found last years certificate and it said 30th April. Opted to renew online because next year you don't ghet a choice so I thought what the hell.

I think HMRC like me because I haven't had a letter!

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Douglas Stroud wrote:
Cheshire wrote:

Apparently letters went out to all MLR businesses to say it would be going online back in December 2016. I didnt get one!
Hi Joanne
I didn't get one either but must admit after your earlier posts I opted to go for the faster payment option which I did a couple of weeks ago and forgot all about it until today when I received the same letter that you must have got saying I need to renew by 5 June, the very next letter I opened was my new MLR certificate dated 27 April.
Looks like I got lucky this year but will have to go through the same rubbish you are experiencing next year

OMG so you just paid the bill and got your certificate. I jumped through their hoops, paid my bill and got nothing other than a chaser to do it all again.....which has crossed in the post accordingy to the man at HMRC. How it can 'cross in the post' when I applied on 26th April and their letter was dated 5 May would be anyone's guess, as a normal person. But we are dealing with HMRC abonormalities here as the letters are printed 15 years before they need to be posted!!!!!

Perhaps when you go through the process next year, all our compliants during the pilot about the system will have been listened to! Yer right!!!!!!!!!!

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Leger wrote:
Deja vu. My MLR was 30th April as well. I thought it was end of March but found last years certificate and it said 30th April. Opted to renew online because next year you don't ghet a choice so I thought what the hell.
I think HMRC like me because I haven't had a letter!

Ah but have you had your certificate?!!!!!!! I reckon a letter might well land on your doorstep tomorrow unless its been stuffed down the back of the radiator for a month or two like the PAYE letters!!

Leger · Master Book-keeper

Cheshire wrote:
Leger wrote:
Deja vu. My MLR was 30th April as well. I thought it was end of March but found last years certificate and it said 30th April. Opted to renew online because next year you don't ghet a choice so I thought what the hell.
I think HMRC like me because I haven't had a letter!
Ah but have you had your certificate?!!!!!!! I reckon a letter might well land on your doorstep tomorrow....

You were spot on, mystic Jo. No certificate yet but I did mine on 28th.

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Leger wrote:
Cheshire wrote:
Leger wrote:
Deja vu. My MLR was 30th April as well. I thought it was end of March but found last years certificate and it said 30th April. Opted to renew online because next year you don't ghet a choice so I thought what the hell.
I think HMRC like me because I haven't had a letter!
Ah but have you had your certificate?!!!!!!! I reckon a letter might well land on your doorstep tomorrow....
You were spot on, mystic Jo. No certificate yet but I did mine on 28th.

Hi John

When I phoned last month they said as from next year the only option to renew will be by doing the online form that you and Joanne have done but they will not be issuing any more certificates just wondering if this is the case for this year as well for people who have registered and I only got mine because I opted for faster payments and did not register online

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Hi Doug - I am wondering if the certificate will show on the tax account, bit like that VAT cert. But as of yet there is nothing....still in the 45 day turnaound period. Will let you know.

Hi John - that has used the last of the power in the last of my crystal balls! Anyone know where I can get any good cheap new ones from?!!

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Cheshire wrote:
Hi John - that has used the last of the power in the last of my crystal balls! Anyone know where I can get any good cheap new ones from?!!

I might know someone, but do you need a receipt??

Cheshire · Master Book-keeper

Oh no ...no receipt required. My Accountant said I never need any paperwork!

Douglas Stroud · Senior Member

Cheshire wrote:
Oh no ...no receipt required. My Accountant said I never need any paperwork!

He doesn't happen to be a boy scout as well by any chance??