First time ever logging onto HMRC online services

sneedshelp

When logging on for the first ever time, after entering Government Gateway User ID and my password, they want to send you an access code for extra security.

Is that the last stage, so once you have entered that access code, you are logged in ?

How long can you use that same access code ?

There has been a suggestion that it remains active for two weeks ?

Does that mean you can keep logging on each day using the same access code for a two week period ?

Sarahspangles

sneedshelp said:

When logging on for the first ever time, after entering Government Gateway User ID and my password, they want to send you an access code for extra security.

Is that the last stage, so once you have entered that access code, you are logged in ?

How long can you use that same access code ?

There has been a suggestion that it remains active for two weeks ?

Does that mean you can keep logging on each day using the same access code for a two week period ?

I thought the access code logged you in for one week but could be wrong. I use the HMRC app on an iPad and  fingerprint/face recognition, once set up you only need to log in again when the app has updated.

Peter999_2

The access code doesn't last long at all and the second you use it, it becomes invalid and won't work again.

When you log in, it asks you the code and has a little tick box underneath which says something like "do not ask for code for 7 days". 

You can then sign in and out of the app as many times as you like and it won't ask you for a code until the 7 days has run out.

Ayr_Rage

The access code you receive is valid for 15 minutes and when you use it you are logged in.

You can opt to remember that code for 7 days, if you don't tick the box that code only works once.

Each time you log in you still need your user ID and password.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

sneedshelp said:

When logging on for the first ever time, after entering Government Gateway User ID and my password, they want to send you an access code for extra security.

Is that the last stage, so once you have entered that access code, you are logged in ?

How long can you use that same access code ?

There has been a suggestion that it remains active for two weeks ?

Does that mean you can keep logging on each day using the same access code for a two week period ?

What @Ayr_Rage said.

Why not use the App though, then all you need is your fingerprint or a 6 digit pin of your own choosing.

Once you are in the App a lot of things, like the State Pension section, just take you to the web version anyway.

sneedshelp

I will be doing it on a computer, so I will need to follow Ayr_rage's advice.

Thanks very much everyone, much appreciated.

poseidon1

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

sneedshelp said:

When logging on for the first ever time, after entering Government Gateway User ID and my password, they want to send you an access code for extra security.

Is that the last stage, so once you have entered that access code, you are logged in ?

How long can you use that same access code ?

There has been a suggestion that it remains active for two weeks ?

Does that mean you can keep logging on each day using the same access code for a two week period ?

What @Ayr_Rage said.

Why not use the App though, then all you need is your fingerprint or a 6 digit pin of your own choosing.

Once you are in the App a lot of things, like the State Pension section, just take you to the web version anyway.

I do wonder why so few people appear to have migrated to either Apple or Android tablets to access accounts with the benefit of App access.

Laptops seem slow,  cumbersome and so last century by comparison. I uploaded the HMRC app to my Samsung tablet, as soon as HMRC made it available  and now benefit from lightening fast fingerprint access to my account, with none of this access code, three factor verification tedium.

My laptop has all but been retired from regular use for anything other than completing my self assessment tax return via third party software  ( the larger 15 inch screen more convenient for this task).

Writing this on the samsung tablet.

[Deleted User]

poseidon1 said:

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

sneedshelp said:

When logging on for the first ever time, after entering Government Gateway User ID and my password, they want to send you an access code for extra security.

Is that the last stage, so once you have entered that access code, you are logged in ?

How long can you use that same access code ?

There has been a suggestion that it remains active for two weeks ?

Does that mean you can keep logging on each day using the same access code for a two week period ?

What @Ayr_Rage said.

Why not use the App though, then all you need is your fingerprint or a 6 digit pin of your own choosing.

Once you are in the App a lot of things, like the State Pension section, just take you to the web version anyway.

I do wonder why so few people appear to have migrated to either Apple or Android tablets to access accounts with the benefit of App access.

Laptops seem slow,  cumbersome and so last century by comparison. I uploaded the HMRC app to my Samsung tablet, as soon as HMRC made it available  and now benefit from lightening fast fingerprint access to my account, with none of this access code, three factor verification tedium.

My laptop has all but been retired from regular use for anything other than completing my self assessment tax return via third party software  ( the larger 15 inch screen more convenient for this task).

Writing this on the samsung tablet.

24 hours ago so I would have agreed with all of that. That is until my garmin satnav informed me that I needed an update which can only be done on a PC or laptop and I have had to borrow one briefly. 

Northern_Wanderer

I'm sure some sensible people prefer their PC for financial/ important things as it is more secure and less risk of being stolen than a phone.

wmb194

Northern_Wanderer said:

I'm sure some sensible people prefer their PC for financial/ important things as it is more secure and less risk of being stolen than a phone.

My iPad never leaves the house and will run all the iPhone apps. I'm not convinced PCs are more secure e.g., more prone to viruses and the like.

poseidon1

wmb194 said:

Northern_Wanderer said:

I'm sure some sensible people prefer their PC for financial/ important things as it is more secure and less risk of being stolen than a phone.

My iPad never leaves the house and will run all the iPhone apps. I'm not convinced PCs are more secure e.g., more prone to viruses and the like.

Same with my Samsung tablet which runs all the android apps and never leaves home. However, I have noticed the tendency of people to conflate tablets with phones as if they are the same thing.  

 I resolutely avoid loading any financial/ banking apps on my phone in case of loss or theft outside the home.
In London, almost 200 phones a day are stolen, so not the best place to be  accessing ones financial apps.