COVID-19: HMRC speeds up PAYE online services application

16 April: Businesses setting up an online account to apply for a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) grant no longer need to wait for an authentication code in the post.

The Tax Faculty has learned that HMRC has taken steps to make it quicker for businesses to set up an online business tax account and to enrol for payroll services. 

The process used to require businesses to wait for up to 10 days, and potentially longer, for an authentication code  to arrive in the post.

The requirement for the authentication code has been removed and businesses can now set themselves up for HMRC’s online payroll services without this delay.

Caroline Miskin of the ICAEW’s Tax Faculty says: “This change, which has not been formally communicated by HMRC, is very welcome and will make it much easier for businesses to access CJRS grants.” 

• Guidance on how to apply for business tax account with HMRC
• Guidance on the coronavirus job retention scheme
• More support from ICAEW on the coronavirus pandemic