Using two different government gateway accounts for VAT and payroll

TraderJack · ‎December 23, 2020

I'm having difficulty in connecting to MTD and am receiving an error code: error code CLIENT_OR_AGENT_NOT_AUTHORISED

I feel I'm missing something simple here but just can't see it.

We use one government gateway ID for all the existing business aspect such as payroll and self assessment etc. plus we have just set up a new Government gateway account to re register for VAT and now have a new vat account and can see our certificate online.

We have also registered at HMRC for MTD and received our confirmation e-mail this morning, but when I look at the VAT page on QBO I get 'We can't connect to HMRC right now' and the green button saying 'Take Action'.

Any help much appreciated please.

Thank

Andy

MaryAnn_E · ‎January 01, 2021

Hi there, @TraderJack.

As mentioned above, you can only connect one Government Gateway (G.G.) account for HMRC/MTD. This way, we can ensure that the account you use for VAT return is well accounted for.

In order to submit a VAT return directly to HMRC from QBO, here's what you'll need to do:

In the left menu, click Taxes and go to the VAT tab.
Choose Submit return to view your open return.
Check the dates and figures if correct.
Once verified, pick File online with HMRC.
Enter your Government Gateway User ID and Government Gateway Password.
Select Yes, I want to proceed.

From there, QBO will connect to HMRC and submit your VAT return. Once received, you'll able to see a message that Your return has landed safely. Pending with HMRC. When the VAT submission is successful, the status will change to Approved by HMRC. However, if you're unable to connect with HMRC, can you please add additional details about the error you've encountered?

On the other hand, if QuickBooks is not connected with HMRC. You can mark your VAT as filed in QBO. Here's how:

In the left menu, click Taxes and go to the VAT tab.
Choose Prepare return to view your open return.
Check the dates and figures if correct.
Once verified, pick File online with HMRC.
Pick Submit a VAT Return/Set up a VAT Direct Debit Instruction, then select Submit a return.
Copy the amounts from your QuickBooks Online return to the HMRC webpage.
Once done, go back to QBO and hit Mark as Filed.

To give you more of an idea about submitting a VAT return, consider checking these articles which you may find helpful:

Submit a VAT return to HMRC - MTD for small businesses

Keep me posted on how everything goes in the comment. I'll be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions. Have a good one.

View solution in original post

MaryLandT · ‎December 23, 2020

Let me help get rid of the error code, TraderJack.

There are a few things to check when we come across this message. You can start by verifying if the VAT registration number is entered correctly within the settings.

The information is formatted in numbers without spaces or letters. To check this, here are the steps:

Go to Taxes from the left menu.
Click Edit VAT, then Edit settings.

If this is correct and you're still getting an error, make sure there's only one VAT agency on your settings. This will trigger the error. You can turn off the VAT code under the other agency.

Here's how:

Go back to Taxes, then go to the VAT tab.
Click Edit VAT.
Select Edit rates.
Choose the codes from the incorrect agency, then turn it off.
Click Yes to confirm.
Once done, you can connect MTD in QuickBooks.

If you're still getting the error, you can clear the browser's cache and cookies. This helps refresh website preferences that might be causing problems when you use QuickBooks.

If the same issue persists, I recommend contacting our QuickBooks Online Team. They can escalate what's causing the error when you connect to MTD.

Let me know how this goes by leaving a comment below. I'll be right here whenever you need additional help.

TraderJack · ‎December 28, 2020

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I have confirmed the VAT number is entered correctly in the VAT settings and I've cleared the browser's cache and cookies, without any difference.

As I am now using two different government gateway accounts - one for PAYE, self assessment etc. and another for VAT - surely QB needs both sets of account login info in order to connect with the two different G.G. accounts?? Or have I got that wrong?

How does QB vat system know how to connect with MTD, as I have the login details for the first G.G. account entered into QB payroll settings in order to run Payroll.

Sorry if this sounds confusing but I guess my question is this: can QBO connect with HMRC / MTD on two different G.G. accounts and if so, how do I make it happen?

Thanks for your ongoing support and Merry Christmas!

Andy

JasroV · ‎December 28, 2020

Merry Christmas too, @Andy.

I appreciate you for getting back to us and providing some clarifications. Allow me to chime in and add some insights regarding this matter.

Connecting HMRC/MTD with two Government Gateway (G.G.) accounts isn’t possible in QuickBooks Online (QBO). You can only connect one G.G. account for HMRC/MTD. This way, we can guarantee that the account you use for VAT return is well accounted for.

Also, the message “We can’t connect to HMRC right now” usually show up if:

The user ID and password are incorrect.
Incorrect VAT registration number entered in the VAT settings
The current VAT return period has not ended yet.
The credentials used to connect QBO to HMRC for MTD are not authorised

To get around this issue, click the Learn More or Take Action button and follow the on-screen troubleshooting steps to resolve the case.

If the issue persists, I suggest disconnecting and re-connecting the MTD connection. Here’s how:

Go to the Gear icon.
Select Account and Settings.
Click the Advanced tab and choose Making Tax Digital.
Follow the on-screen instruction on how to disconnect and re-connect.

Let me also add these links that you can read for future guidance. These resources tackles more about MTD and tracking VAT:

In case you have other concerns or follow-up questions managing your taxes, you’re always welcome to get back to me. I’ll be around ready to help. Have a good one and Merry Christmas!

TraderJack · ‎January 01, 2021

Thank you for the reply. Sadly, this doesn't resolve our problem.

The accountant we used to help us re register for VAT ended up creating a second Government Gateway account for the VAT accounting. You've confirmed my fear that we can't use two G.G. accounts in parallel on QBO and we now have a VAT return due and no way of submitting it.

I've gone into the QBO settings - Account and Settings - Payroll - Online filing with HMRC - and have inputted the alternative VAT G.G. login info to see if I can alternate the G.G. accounts on QBO but that doesn't seem to have worked either.

Is there somewhere else in QBO that registers the G.G. login details?

I have verified the correct VAT no. is input in the VAT settings

Thanks for your continued help and Happy New Year!

MaryAnn_E · ‎January 01, 2021

Hi there, @TraderJack.

As mentioned above, you can only connect one Government Gateway (G.G.) account for HMRC/MTD. This way, we can ensure that the account you use for VAT return is well accounted for.

In order to submit a VAT return directly to HMRC from QBO, here's what you'll need to do:

In the left menu, click Taxes and go to the VAT tab.
Choose Submit return to view your open return.
Check the dates and figures if correct.
Once verified, pick File online with HMRC.
Enter your Government Gateway User ID and Government Gateway Password.
Select Yes, I want to proceed.

From there, QBO will connect to HMRC and submit your VAT return. Once received, you'll able to see a message that Your return has landed safely. Pending with HMRC. When the VAT submission is successful, the status will change to Approved by HMRC. However, if you're unable to connect with HMRC, can you please add additional details about the error you've encountered?

On the other hand, if QuickBooks is not connected with HMRC. You can mark your VAT as filed in QBO. Here's how:

In the left menu, click Taxes and go to the VAT tab.
Choose Prepare return to view your open return.
Check the dates and figures if correct.
Once verified, pick File online with HMRC.
Pick Submit a VAT Return/Set up a VAT Direct Debit Instruction, then select Submit a return.
Copy the amounts from your QuickBooks Online return to the HMRC webpage.
Once done, go back to QBO and hit Mark as Filed.

To give you more of an idea about submitting a VAT return, consider checking these articles which you may find helpful:

Submit a VAT return to HMRC - MTD for small businesses

Keep me posted on how everything goes in the comment. I'll be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions. Have a good one.

ABBNB · ‎June 09, 2021

Hi, I am trying to do the first VAT submission - all registered for MTD and connected. However I only have the option to "Submit with a spreadsheet" not "File online with HMRC"

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Using two different government gateway accounts for VAT and payroll