HMRC has claimed to improve its Agent Authorisation process.

According to the HMRC statement, dealing with agents and tax advisers is an important part of the way that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does business. From today, the process by which customers authorise agents to act on their behalf has been streamlined to reduce form filling for agents and their clients and to give them a better service.

Form 64-8, well known to agents and advisers, has been redesigned to allow HMRC customers to authorise their agents to act for them in respect of specific matters including for the first time, VAT.

It will not be necessary to renew existing authorisations, as current 64-8 authorisations and VAT “letters of authority to disclose” remain valid.