When you start working with a new accountant, one of the first bits of admin they’ll ask for is to be authorised with HMRC. It sounds formal (and maybe a bit scary), but it’s simply HMRC’s way of letting your accountant speak to them on your behalf — so you don’t have to spend your life on hold to the tax office.
Let’s look at what’s involved, when you might want to do it, and what happens if you change your mind later.
HMRC won’t discuss your tax affairs with anyone unless you’ve officially given them permission.
When you authorise your accountant, you’re basically saying:
“Yes, this person can access my tax records and deal with HMRC for me.”
Once authorised, your accountant can:
It makes your accountant’s job much easier — and saves you the pain of relaying every HMRC letter yourself.
There are now several ways this can happen, depending on the type of tax and the software used:
The digital handshake (the modern way)
This is the quickest and most secure route. Your accountant sends a digital request — usually via email — and you log in with your own Government Gateway account to approve it instantly. No paper, no waiting around. Unfortunately this is only available for a limited number of taxes.
The digital code method
Some older HMRC systems still use a postal code system. Your accountant will request access, HMRC sends a code to your registered address (usually within two weeks), and you pass that code back to your accountant so they can complete the link.
Paper form 64-8 (old school)
Typically only used where HMRC’s digital route isn’t playing nicely. Your accountant fills it in, you sign it, and HMRC process it manually.
Each authorisation is tax-specific — so your accountant might be authorised for VAT and Corporation Tax, but not necessarily for Self Assessment, unless you approve that too.
It’s common for creative businesses to have a few people involved:
Normally, only one agent can be authorised for each tax. But there are a few exceptions:
Once HMRC confirm the authorisation, your accountant will start receiving most (but not always all) correspondence from HMRC directly.
For example:
That said, don’t assume HMRC always get it right. Even if your accountant is authorised, HMRC sometimes forget to copy them in.
So, if you receive anything from HMRC in the post or via your online account, it’s always worth forwarding a copy to your accountant — just in case.
You’re in control. If you decide you no longer want your accountant to have access, you can remove them at any time.
Just log in to your HMRC Business Tax Account (or Personal Tax Account for Self Assessment), go to Manage Accountants or Agents, and select Remove authorisation.
It takes effect immediately, and you can re-authorise someone new later if needed. If you're struggling to do it online, then you can also call or write to HMRC.
Many creative directors do exactly that — filing their own personal Self Assessment return while their accountant takes care of the company’s accounts, VAT and payroll.
That’s absolutely fine. Just decline any Self Assessment authorisation requests from your accountant if you prefer to handle that part yourself. You’ll still get reminders and statements directly from HMRC.
Authorising your accountant doesn’t give them access to your bank accounts or the ability to make payments — it just lets them deal directly with HMRC on your behalf.
It typically means:
In short: it keeps your financial machine humming nicely.
However, it will not allow your accountant to do everything. Agreeing payment plans for outstanding tax is typically something you will have to do with HMRC directly.
Think of HMRC authorisation as a digital handshake between you, your accountant, and the tax office. It’s simple to set up, easy to revoke, and saves a lot of hassle.
If you’ve got several advisers, just agree who’s responsible for what. If you ever switch accountants, your new one automatically replaces the old — and if you ever get a surprise HMRC letter, always share it with your accountant so nothing slips through the cracks.