On 19 October 2026, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published updated guidance for overseas tax agents acting on behalf of UK taxpayers. The guidance, effective immediately, clarifies the registration requirements for non-UK based agents under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the scope of their authorization to act via HMRC online services, and their obligations regarding client due diligence, record-keeping, and suspicious activity reporting. It also addresses the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU on the recognition of professional qualifications and the need for overseas agents to hold a UK practising certificate where required.
Key Takeaways
- Registration Mandatory: All overseas tax agents providing services to UK clients must register with HMRC for anti-money laundering supervision, regardless of their home jurisdiction’s regulatory regime.
- Digital Authorization: Agents must use the HMRC Agent Services Account (ASA) to manage client authorizations; paper forms 64-8 are no longer accepted for new authorizations from 1 January 2027.
- Professional Indemnity: Overseas agents must maintain professional indemnity insurance covering UK liability, with minimum coverage of £500,000 per claim, and provide evidence upon HMRC request.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement