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Accessing your business tax account

Multi-factor authentication on Government Gateway accounts, including the business tax account (BTA), means getting the access code pinged to your phone.

Sometimes, however, it all hits a brick wall. What do you do if you want to change the phone number linked to your BTA? Or change how you get the code? These are very frequently asked questions.

Ironically, you need to log into your BTA to do it. But if that’s not possible – in other words, if neither you, nor anyone in your business set up as an administrator, can log in, you’re not stuck in an endless loop. The best port of call is HMRC’s Online Services Helpdesk. The phone number is 0300 200 3600, and the line is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

If you are able to log in, HMRC advises trying the following:

1. Select the Manage account link shown on the top menu bar.
2. Under the account details heading, select the View or change your account details link.
3. Next to the Government Gateway details heading, select the Manage your Government Gateway details link.
4. Select the How you get access codes link.
5. Changing, adding or deleting the entries on that screen as required.

If the problem is that you can’t log in, but someone else in your business who is an administrator can, get them to:

1. Select the Manage account link shown on the top menu bar.
2. Select the Add or delete a team member link.
3. Select the Manage link for the required team member.
4. Select the Remove (name of user) security preferences link.

We are always happy to advise on the practical aspects of dealing with HMRC.