Online services for agents
Information about services available to agents, including Self Assessment and PAYE for agents online services, multi-factor authentication, calculators and the HMRC App. Find out about service availability and any current issues.
You can use the HMRC service availability, downtime and technical issues to check for planned downtime or whether there are any technical issues affecting the performance of HMRC online services.
You will need to sign in to HMRC services and check which agent account you’ll need to use.
The tax services you will be using will determine the type of account you need.
Agent services account allows you to access services such as:
- Income Record Viewer
- registering your client’s estate
- managing your client’s Capital Gains Tax on UK property account
- managing your client’s details for VAT
You will need to sign in to HMRC services and check which agent account you’ll need to use.
The tax services you will be using will determine the type of account you need.
HMRC online services for agents account allows you to access services such as:
PAYE for Agents online service
The PAYE for Agents online service allows you to manage most of your clients’ responsibilities online for:
- PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
- Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
- Employment Related Securities (ERS)
- employer liabilities and payments
Self Assessment for Agents online service
The Self Assessment for Agents online service covers individuals, businesses, trusts and partnerships. Client authorisations also cover National Insurance and, for individuals, requests for information to help calculate the High Income Child Benefit charge.
To use the Self Assessment for Agents online service you’ll need to:
- have an agent code
- be registered with HMRC online services
- add the Self Assessment for Agents service to your portfolio
- set up agent authorisation for each of your clients
What is multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your account.
MFA already protects Government Gateway accounts for individuals and organisations. We are now extending this protection to agent accounts in response to ongoing and evolving online security threats.
How MFA works
When you sign in to your account, you enter your Government Gateway user ID and password. You will then be asked to enter a one-time access code.
This extra step helps protect your account, even if your sign in details have been compromised.
How multi-factor authentication will be introduced
HMRC has been working collaboratively with agents and professional bodies to introduce this change. Following a successful period of test and learn with a small group of agents, testing is being expanded during April and May 2026.
MFA will be applied to all agent accounts once testing is complete — HMRC will confirm this date.
How to prepare
Prepare now to avoid any disruption to your access to HMRC online services. Follow these steps before MFA is switched on.
Step 1: Check and update existing MFA settings
An MFA option may already be set up on your account. For example, someone in your firm may have enabled it when using an HMRC service like Making Tax Digital for VAT.
When MFA is activated for sign in, access codes are sent to the contact details saved when the option was set up.
You should check your account for any existing MFA options and make sure the details are up to date. You can:
- update an existing MFA option
- add another MFA option
Administrators can remove MFA options for team members, but cannot set up new ones for them.
To update your settings within an agent services account:
- select manage account
- click manage your own sign‑in details
- choose how you get access codes
- update or add your security preferences
To update your settings within an HMRC agent account:
- select your account from the home screen (left‑hand menu)
- click change details or change password
- if presented with your security console, select your Government Gateway profile to proceed, if not presented with this screen, move to step 4
- select how you get access codes to amend and add security preferences
Step 2: Set up individual accounts for each member of staff
HMRC recommends each member of staff who requires access to your agent services account and HMRC online services for agents account has their own individual sign in credentials.
Step 3: Set up at least two administrators
Organisations with multiple staff members should have more than one administrator on their account. This allows you to:
- manage MFA resets internally
- avoid the need to contact HMRC for routine access issues
- maintain continuity if an administrator is unavailable
Step 4: Remove accounts no longer required
To help keep your account secure, you should remove access for any staff who leave your organisation or no longer need access to your HMRC online services.
This reduces the risk of unauthorised access and helps ensure your account information remains protected.
Guidance on how to add standard users, administrators and remove staff access is available at how to give staff access to your HMRC online tax agent accounts.
Step 5: Consider how access codes will be received
HMRC recommends you prepare for the introduction of MFA by:
- agreeing and communicating your approach to the introduction of MFA in advance, to ensure all employees are prepared
- using an authenticator app as the primary method
- setting up one additional authentication method as a backup
There are 3 ways to get an access code:
Authenticator app
The Authenticator app benefits include:
- works on a phone, tablet or computer
- does not need mobile signal
- provides a code when offline
- you can use any authenticator app
A ‘secret key’ will be displayed alongside a QR code, either can be used. The code and key provided will appear for 30 to 60 seconds.
Text message
A text message code lasts for 15 minutes and:
- is sent directly to your phone
- you must have signal to get it
HMRC does offer text message outside the UK, although this service is not available in all countries
Voice call
A voice call code lasts for 15 minutes, your phone will ring and a voice will say the code.
Voice call is not a suitable option for switchboards.
After MFA is activated
Once activated, each user will need to set up their own MFA method if they have already done so. They can also choose to set this up in advance. You may want to agree a consistent approach across your team.
When MFA is active:
-
if you already have an account, you will see a new screen when you sign in asking you to enter your access code
-
if you are creating a new account, you will be asked to set up multi-factor authentication as part of the sign-up process
Remember me function
This function makes signing in quicker and easier by reducing how often you need to enter an access code.
If you choose this option, you can sign in from the same device and browser without entering an access code for 7 days.
You will still be asked for an access code within the 7 days if you sign in to a different:
- Government Gateway user ID
- device
- web browser
Use of third party software
If you use automated processes or third party software to manage your sign in journey, the introduction of MFA may affect those products. We recommend contacting your software provider in advance, to check whether any adjustments are needed.
Software developers have already been notified of this change to allow time for necessary updates.
Reporting suspicious activity
Information on how to report any suspicious access to your account is available on GOV.UK.
You can access a number of calculators to help you work out your client’s tax. Find out more about HMRC tools and calculators.
Access the Income Record Viewer for agents and use the digital handshake if you’re an agent to check your clients pay and tax details, employment history and tax codes.
You will need an agent services account to access the Income Record Viewer.
You will not be able to use any existing 64-8 authorisation to access the Income Record Viewer. Read the guidance on how to get authorised using the digital handshake so that you can access your client’s information in the Income Record Viewer.
The HMRC app is a quick and easy way to get information about your tax, National Insurance and benefits.