Authorisation angst

There appears to be a huge backlog of unprocessed 64-8s at HMRC. We have been quoted a process date of the middle of November 2010 for forms 64-8 and SA1 submitted on 6 September 2010.

In a telephone call from the Central Agent Authorisation Team (CAAT) HMRC quoted that there are currently 7 000 new 64-8s being received daily compared to 3 000 normally.

While this does not cause a problem at the present time other than the client wondering why it takes three months after completing their tax return to claim their refund later on in the year it will not be possible to file online for new clients.

I understand that my colleague however is receiving corporation tax 64-8 registration in five days. Any suggestions?

Stephanie O’Connor Sobell Rhodes LLP

HMRC replied:

‘We are working closely with the Central Agent Authorisation...