Reply to: What's up with HMRC online ?

[redgiant]

I have had issues with the HMRC online site too over the past year. I think the switch to the gov.uk verify system has broken some accounts as I can now only access my SA using the verify service and not using the government gateway number that I did previously. That would have been OK if the gov.uk verify 2FA system worked properly as it tends to spit out invalid numbers to my mobile phone ... tax payers money well spent

[Lumiere]

When I re-registered for VAT it kept telling me it was already registered, but there was some other VAT related service I had to remove first. It got very confusing.

Have you tried a different computer or browser? I wonder if the server gets its sessions in a twist.

I looked at my business one yesterday and was fine. Only the personal one wants to send a text message code so they're not quite the same.

Yes same on different PC.

I think it is the 2 step verification that messed it up, I had prompt to set it up on both accounts, entering passport details, NIN etc. Although there is an option to skip it it wouldn't allow me to logon without it in the next step.

The new system must be one of those £300m outsourced projects ... Helpline advisor said they were flooded with calls this week.

[VectraMan]

It wouldn't allow to re-add it again. Says already registered or not eligible.

When I re-registered for VAT it kept telling me it was already registered, but there was some other VAT related service I had to remove first. It got very confusing.

Have you tried a different computer or browser? I wonder if the server gets its sessions in a twist.

I looked at my business one yesterday and was fine. Only the personal one wants to send a text message code so they're not quite the same.

[Lumiere]

There is no such thing as a personal or business account, there is just an account which you can add certain services on, what happens when you try to re-add VAT? When I moved it from one account to another VAT was the easiest as I just had to put in the reg number, and some details from the last return (Corp and PAYE needed an authentication code sent though the post)

There is now. It says you can switch to your personal account for thing like pension and then switch to business for SA etc. And they are linked despite being different logins.

It wouldn't allow to re-add it again. Says already registered or not eligible.

[SimonMac]

I had separate personal and Ltd logins, used them for years.

Just tried to submit a VAT return for June at the last minute and it looks like both my accounts are now personal .. switching to business taxes looks like a page for self-employed, no Ltd services at all, just self-assessment etc.

I will call them tomorrow, but if it is something that can't be resolved promptly what are my options to submit VAT Return and pay before the deadline (7th of August, right ?)

There is no such thing as a personal or business account, there is just an account which you can add certain services on, what happens when you try to re-add VAT? When I moved it from one account to another VAT was the easiest as I just had to put in the reg number, and some details from the last return (Corp and PAYE needed an authentication code sent though the post)

[Hobosapien]

Sounds like they've screwed up your account and removed the Ltd services if you can't get access to them now. Hopefully it's isolated rather than a wider 'improvement' we'll all have to suffer through.

Let us know how you get on so we're aware of what joys HMRC are bringing us in their continued govup.

BTW: You can pay the VAT via normal banking and then complain you couldn't submit the return in time if they don't sort it out for you. That way they at least get their money so it's just the paperwork they're waiting for. Worse case is you'll get a £100 fine (unless it's changed in recent years) for late filing. Not sure if they also apply a financial late payment penalty so I'd make the payment within the time window. I presume you have the VAT figures so know the payment due and just need to be able to complete the online VAT return once the service is letting you. I don't have direct debit set up for mine so always manually pay via online banking after completing the return, but you can pay now if you wanted to.

[SueEllen]

Well, care what you wish for. My two logins are now linked to the same account, I can switch between personal and business but there is no sign on Ltd services any more ...

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So how can I submit and pay a VAT return in 2 days without access to HMRC online services ? Tried to contact helpline all day to no avail ..

Keep trying.

Oddly with busy lines I find I get through on a landline quicker...

[Lumiere]

Can you move from two logins to one?

Well, care what you wish for. My two logins are now linked to the same account, I can switch between personal and business but there is no sign on Ltd services any more ...

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So how can I submit and pay a VAT return in 2 days without access to HMRC online services ? Tried to contact helpline all day to no avail ..

[Hobosapien]

Not sure that's going to work bearing in mind you and your LTD are completely separate entities.

Maybe so but I have only one login and both myself and my ltd are obviously separate (to me) once logged in.

[northernladuk]

Can you move from two logins to one?

Not sure that's going to work bearing in mind you and your LTD are completely separate entities.

[Hobosapien]

Can you move from two logins to one?

I only have one login for the government gateway but can't remember the order I did it to get them all under one login but they look obviously separate areas to me, one for self assessment and one for ltd company activities (VAT returns mainly).

Only recent change I've noticed is the additional proof of ID and setting up 2 factor authentication (txt message to mobile) by supplying additional info they could check against their databases when getting a recent state pension summary via my government gateway login.

Though I have a VAT return due end of this month so will see then if they've messed things up as far as layout and ease of use goes.

[VectraMan]

It always seems to be a bit of a confused mess with two completely different looking sites that you log onto.

I have both, but then I do usually use them on different computers (used to use different browsers).

[mudskipper]

How do you do self assessment without a personal login?

My accountant does it.

[northernladuk]

Weirdly enough I have 2 personal logins but neither showed SA saying I'd already registered. Spoke to HmRC and they gave me a code I haven't used since 2013. They appear to have changed the setup of the site but that could just be I haven't logged in for so long.

[eek]

Just checked my business login, and it's fine - can see corp tax, VAT etc, but I don't have a personal login.

How do you do self assessment without a personal login?