If you act as an agent and complete VAT returns on behalf of your clients, you may wish to connect to HMRC and authorise Inform Direct to retrieve the VAT dates of any client linked to your HMRC agent services account (ASA).

Doing this allows Inform Direct to display important VAT due dates and send you email reminders when a client VAT deadline is approaching. You can also display your clients VAT deadlines on your Portfolio page.

Before you can authorise Inform Direct to retrieve the VAT dates of client companies you will need to have created an agent services account (ASA). This is different to your HMRC online services for agents account. You’ll have just one ASA for your whole practice and it will be linked to your company UTR (Unique Tax Reference). 

You can start the authorisation process by clicking on the blue Link to HMRC button on the Account tab. 

Then click on the green Connect to HMRC button to be taken to a GOV.UK page where you can give permission for Inform Direct to interact with HMRC on your behalf, this will not impact any existing links you have set up with HMRC.

To complete the grant authorisation process within HMRC you will need to sign in with the user ID and password for your agent services account (ASA). 

You will also be asked to complete a 2-step verification process and will need the device you use for two factor authentication. Sometimes, you may be asked to answer additional questions to ascertain your identity. When prompted, select ‘Grant authority’. The authorisation process is now complete and you will be redirected back to Inform Direct:

If an error arises, this is often because HMRC was unable to authenticate your agent services account (ASA). This can occur if:

•  You signed in to HMRC using incorrect credentials. Check that you used the user ID and password connected to your agent services account (ASA) rather than your HMRC online services for agents account or other Government Gateway account. 
• You have not quite finished creating your agent services account (ASA). If the process of setting up the account has been fully completed, HMRC will have issued you with an agent services account reference number.

If you have checked the above and you still cannot successfully grant authority to Inform Direct, then HMRC provides the following additional advice:

Step-by-step guide for agents: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-tax-digital-for-vat-as-an-agent-step-by-step

HMRC services help desk and contact details: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/vat-online-services-helpdesk

HMRC services for tax agents: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-online-services-for-agents

Once you have successfully authorised Inform Direct to retrieve the VAT dates of your client companies, you can remove this authority at any time – either from within Inform Direct or directly within HMRC. Refer to our guide: How do I remove the link Inform Direct has to HMRC?

You can only connect one agent services account (ASA) to Inform Direct at a time.