HMRC pauses some refund claims for agents
Due to security concerns, HMRC has warned that it will not process refund claims made by authorised agents. What’s going on and what alternatives are available?
An increase in fraudulent requests for money to be repaid has led HMRC to stop accepting claims made by phone, even where there is an appropriate authority in place. This includes the agent dedicated line, and the online webchat. Agents are being advised to make a claim via a tax return or through their Agent Services Account. It is currently not clear if, or when, phone requests will start to be accepted again. In addition, HMRC is asking agents to:
- be extra vigilant for phishing scams
- choose strong passwords and to change them regularly; and
- pay close attention to HMRC’s advice regarding account security, particularly in the event of an agent account suspension.
Related Topics
-
Can you claim input tax on overseas sales expenses?
Your business sells goods and services to overseas customers, and you do not charge VAT. Can you still claim input tax on any UK expenses that directly relate to these sales?
-
A guessing game - interest rates and employee loans
Buried in the 2024 Autumn Budget were small print changes to HMRC’s “official rate” of interest. The consequences of these have just taken effect. How might they affect you and your employees?
-
Do hybrid workers take fewer sick days?
A survey of 2,000 hybrid workers by International Workplace Group has revealed that more than a third are taking fewer sick days than they did when they were working full time in the office. What are the potential reasons for this?
This website uses both its own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and navigation on our website in order to improve its contents (analytical purposes: measure visits and sources of web traffic). The legal basis is the consent of the user, except in the case of basic cookies, which are essential to navigate this website.