How to use the Online Agent Authorisation to get authorised as a tax agent
Find out how to use the Online Agent Authorisation to get client authorisation for HMRC online services for agents.
Once you’ve registered for and enrolled a tax service on your HMRC online services account you’ll need to get authorised by each of your clients to transact on their behalf, you can do this by using Online Agent Authorisation.
You can also check which tax services you can get client authorisation for by using Online Agent Authorisation.
From 16 February 2024, this service will no longer be available for VAT authorisations.
What you’ll need
To get client authorisation, you’ll need your Government Gateway user ID.
Depending on which tax service you’ll be using, you’ll need to provide different information about your client. You can find out exactly what information you’ll need to provide once you’re in the ‘Request authorisation’ service.
How to use Online Agent Authorisation
To get authorised, you should complete the following steps.
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Sign into your HMRC online services for agents account.
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Select ‘Authorise client’ in the left-hand menu.
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Select ‘Request an authorisation’.
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Select the tax service that you need your client’s authorisation for and enter their details.
Once you have completed your authorisation request, HMRC will send a letter with an authorisation code by post to your client within 7 working days.
Your client should tell you the code within 30 days (this is usually within 30 days of the letter being issued but the exact date will be in the letter). The code will expire after this date and you’ll have to start the authorisation process again.
When your client has told you the code, you should complete the following steps.
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Sign into your HMRC online services for agents account.
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Select ‘Authorise client’ in the left-hand menu.
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Select ‘Enter authorisation code’ in the left-hand menu.
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Select your client.
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Enter the code.
The client will then appear on your client list.
You must complete this process once for each tax service that you want authorisation for. Your client will receive one authorisation code in the post for each tax service. If you’re getting authorisations for multiple tax services, your client will receive multiple codes.
Make sure you know which authorisation code is for which tax service. If you enter a code incorrectly 3 times, you will have to start the authorisation process again.
Get authorised
Online services may be slow during busy times. Check if there are any problems with this service.
What happens next
Once your client has approved your authorisation request, you will be authorised to deal with HMRC for them.
Updates to this page
Last updated 18 January 2024 + show all updates
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Information has been added to confirm that from 16 February 2024 you can no longer use Online Agent Authorisation for VAT authorisations on behalf of a client.
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First published.