How to enrol for VAT online services

How do I enrol for VAT online services?

This is a freeview 'At a glance' guide to enrolling for VAT online services.

Setting yourself up as an online VAT agent

Note: you must be VAT registered already otherwise “no can do”.

• From https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs click ‘HMRC
  services: sign in or register’ (from the top of the list)
• Select the 'Sign in' link
• Existing users
  • Sign in
  • Go to 'Services you can add' in the menu on the left-hand side
  • Select 'Enrol for service' next to 'VAT'.
• New users
  • Select 'Don't have a Government Gateway account' underneath 'Problems signing in'
  • Select 'Agent'
  • Tick the box labelled ‘VAT for Agents’, click ‘Next’
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to obtain User ID and Password and enrol for the 'VAT for Agents' service. You will create your own password and be given a User ID to log on to the website with. You will also create a Gateway Agent ID.

Within 7 days of enrolment you will also receive an Activation Code by post to finalise your VAT for Agents enrolment. This completes the Agent’s part in the enrolment.

Getting your client to appoint you as VAT agent

Note: your client must be VAT registered already otherwise “no can do”.

• From https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs click ‘HMRC services: sign in or register’ (from the top of the list)
• Select the 'Sign in' link
• Select ‘Don’t have a Government Gateway account’ underneath ‘Problems signing in’.
• Selection ‘Individual’ or ‘Organisation’,
• Select ‘VAT’.

The applicant will be given their own User ID and Password, but unlike the Agent do not require an Activation Code to use the online returns service.

The Agent can then be appointed immediately, as follows:

• Go to https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services
• Select ‘Sign in’
• Login with the Client’s User ID and Password
• Select ‘Manage Services’ on the left-hand side
• Select ‘Appoint an Agent’.  The system will then ask for the Agent’s Gateway Agent ID.  Once confirmed the allocation is complete.

The Agent will now be able to submit for the client through ‘VAT Online’ on the HMRC website, using their Agent account.

Useful guides on this topic

How to register for VAT online (taxpayers)
This is a freeview 'At a glance' guide to registering for VAT online.