Create an agent services account
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-07)

Create an agent services account (ASA) for your tax agent firm to use certain HMRC services.

If you’re a new tax agent, you must first register with HMRC for an agent services account (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-with-hmrc-to-use-an-agent-services-account). When your registration has been accepted by HMRC, you can create an account.

If you’re already transacting online as an agent with HMRC and have at least one client (for Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, PAYE or VAT), you can immediately create an agent services account.

There’s a different way to apply for an agent services account if you’re not based in the UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-agent-services-account-if-you-are-not-based-in-the-uk).

Your application to access our services will be measured against the HMRC standard for agents (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-the-standard-for-agents).

Who can create an account

To create an agent services account, you must be one of the following:
- a director
- a partner
- a sole trader
What you’ll need

You’ll need:
- your Government Gateway user ID and password (if you do not already have one, you can create one from the sign in page)
- the Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for your tax agent firm
- the postcode associated with your UTR
- your company registration number, if you have one
- your VAT registration number, if you have one
- your National Insurance number and date of birth to confirm your identity if you’re a sole trader or business partnership
- your National Insurance number and date of birth to confirm your identity if you’re a Limited Liability Partnership (in some cases)
- the name of your anti-money laundering supervisory body (https://www.gov.uk/anti-money-laundering-registration), membership number and renewal date
Read about receiving Income Tax or PAYE repayments on behalf of others (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/receive-income-tax-or-paye-repayments-on-behalf-of-others) if you intend to submit nominations for Income Tax repayments using P87, R40 and MATCF print and post forms.

Create an agent services account

Sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not already have them, you can create them from the sign in page.

Create now (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/agent-subscription/task-list)

Online services may be slow during busy times. Check if there are any problems with this service (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agent-services-account-service-availability-and-issues).

After you create an account

If you’re a new agent, you’ll now have a Government Gateway user ID for your agent services account.

If you’re already a tax agent, you’ll have a new Government Gateway user ID that you use for your agent services account and an existing one for HMRC online services.

Make sure you keep a record of which user ID is for which account.

You’ll be given an agent reference number which you will need to receive Income Tax or PAYE repayments on behalf of others.

You’ll now have access to multiple tax services within the agent services account. You do not need to register separately for each tax service, but you will need to register for any that are not accessed through the agent services account.

Next, you should:
- Sign into your agent services account and begin to request authorisation from your clients (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-get-authorised-to-act-as-a-tax-agent-on-behalf-of-your-clients).
- Create individual Government Gateway user IDs for your staff and set permissions (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-give-staff-access-to-your-hmrc-online-tax-agent-accounts) to manage their access to services and clients.
Standards for agents

You must not use the fact that you have an agent services account to suggest or imply that:
- HMRC endorses you as an agent
- you are part of HMRC
- you act on behalf of HMRC
HMRC does not endorse any individual businesses or tax agents.

Find out more about HMRC’s standards for agents (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-the-standard-for-agents).

Get help

If you need help, you can:
- follow the agent step by step guide (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-tax-digital-for-vat-as-an-agent-step-by-step) for Making Tax Digital for VAT
- call the VAT online services helpline (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/vat-online-services-helpdesk) for help with Making Tax Digital for VAT
- call the HMRC Self Assessment online services helpline (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/self-assessment-online-services-helpdesk) for help with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax