Accountant wants password and username HMRC

Poshsalt

Hi,

I got an accountant, they have good reviews on google.

I've given them access to everything. But they have asked for my password and gateway ID, because i would need the access to your HRMC government website. I have an access only to site without the enrolled CT facility.

I've added them already as a team member and autherised agent.

Is this legit?

fenwick458

my accountant asked me for mine once yeah, I had the option of either giving it to him so he could sort out the problem I was having, or I would have had to investigate the problem myself. seemed easier to just give it to him!

Daveinlincoln

Perfectly legit....normal practice.

Sandtree

Hmmm... ours have been doing our company and personal taxes for years and certainly don't have our online passwords. We had to sign letters of authority in the beginning but since then they've filed SA etc using their own access with HMRC 

pbartlett

i would not hand over my login credentails on the recommendation of anyone on a forum board - your route us to call hmrc and find out from them

MalMonroe

Hi, I tend to agree with pbartlett on this one. You HMRC file holds some really sensitive and historical information. I'd be very wary about disclosing my login details and would definitely just confirm with HMRC. I don't see that there would be any difficulty with an accountant preparing all figures and paperwork and then you entering the information yourself into your online HMRC account.  

eskbanker

Sandtree said:

Hmmm... ours have been doing our company and personal taxes for years and certainly don't have our online passwords. We had to sign letters of authority in the beginning but since then they've filed SA etc using their own access with HMRC 

Same - this is why HMRC support agent access that's separate from that used by individuals, as per https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-online-services-for-agents

TadleyBaggie

Doesn't access to your Personal Tax Account require 2FA? After I enter my username/password I either have to enter a code sent to my mobile or use Google Authentication to generate a code (also on my mobile). Accountant wouldn't have direct access to the code, so not sure how useful them having your username and password would be.

Sandtree

MalMonroe said:
 I don't see that there would be any difficulty with an accountant preparing all figures and paperwork and then you entering the information yourself into your online HMRC account.  

You don't need to, accountants have their access that enables them to enter details on behalf of their clients via their own log in.

J_B

Sandtree said:

Hmmm... ours have been doing our company and personal taxes for years and certainly don't have our online passwords. We had to sign letters of authority in the beginning but since then they've filed SA etc using their own access with HMRC 

#metoo!

tencharacters

dingling68

fenwick458 said:

my accountant asked me for mine once yeah, I had the option of either giving it to him so he could sort out the problem I was having, or I would have had to investigate the problem myself. seemed easier to just give it to him!

This is generally the only time we ask for these details from our clients. The agents services account is not as detailed, and yes, it is 2FA, so we are often on the phone to the client at the time we are requesting access.