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• # 122334
• Fri 06 Jan 2023 11:57 AM

Hi, I have recently passed the exam to allow me conduct self assesments and have my first client. I have applied in writing to HMRC to become an agent - is this correct? I'm a bit concerned on timeframes - should I ask my client for his government gateway details to complete the return? Any other advice on getting this started would be most welcome. Thanks.

• R.Boniface

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• # 122335
• Fri 06 Jan 2023 04:16 PM

Hi Richard,

If you have a tax return that needs to be filed before the end of this month then it's unlikely you will hear back from HMRC in time, from memory it took me 2-3 months from my initial letter to get an agent account.

If you haven't done so already you will also need to be supervised for AML.

Good luck

Terry

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• # 122337
• Sat 07 Jan 2023 11:02 AM

I'd phone the ICB for advice. I agree the likelihood of you getting sorted before the end of January is slim in the current climate. Even once you have your account there are steps to getting authorised which can take time. One option might be to get the client to set up a gov gateway account so they can submit their own return? (an agent should never submit via this portal). Then you could work with the client to establish the figures. It might be one way of the client avoiding a penalty, however like I said, I'd seek ICB advice on this first. 

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