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HMRC have published the minutes of the July meeting of the benefits and credits consultation group, which raised the subject of agent authorisation for tax credit clients.
Advisers have to renew form 64-8 and tick the ‘tax credits’ box. But even where all information is in place, some advisers are finding Revenue staff members will not discuss clients’ claims.
There also appears to be an HMRC mentality that queries why professional agents need to be involved at all in clients’ tax credits claims.
In response, at the meeting, the taxman said: ‘For most agents, the process works well and authorisation is entered onto the various taxes and tax credits systems within 24 hours of receipt. The... turnaround is intended to provide a better service for agents.
‘However, it has caused problems in some cases where the 64-8 is dealt with before the tax credits claim has been input on to the tax credit system. There are problems on some pre-award cases where information is not visible to staff and cases where the agent information is in notes on the system but disappears in time.’
The Revenue accepted there are problems with the 64-8 process and said attempts at resolution were being made. The department confirmed it would remind members of staff of the contents of the HMRC charter, which includes the pledge to deal with taxpayers' representatives.
Advisers are reminded that the taxman's online agent authorisation service cannot be used for tax credits; in joint claims, both claimants must give authority for the agent to deal with HMRC, even if only one claimants is the client for other matters.
