HMRC connections

HMRC connections

HMRC connections enable you to submit SA100 returns/ MTD submissions and pull employment data directly from HMRC. There are two types of connections: Agent Services and Online Services.

Agent Services vs Online Services

Agent Services

  • Used for MTD (Making Tax Digital) submissions

  • Set up by Primary Admin only

  • Applies to all firm users once connected

  • Enables pulling employment data directly from HMRC

Online Services

  • Used for SA100 submissions

  • Each user must set up their own credentials

  • Controls who in your firm can submit SA100 returns

  • Required before you can submit an SA100

Setting Up Agent Services (Primary Admin Only)

Location: Profile & Settings → HMRC Connection → Agent Services

What you need:

  • HMRC Government Gateway account credentials

  • Agent reference number (from HMRC)

To set up:

  1. Select "Connect to Agent Services"

  2. Follow the onscreen instructions

  3. Enter your HMRC credentials

  4. Authenticate with HMRC

Once connected, all firm users can use Agent Services features without needing individual credentials.

Setting Up Online Services (All Users)

Location: Profile & Settings → HMRC Connection → Online Services

What you need:

  • Your HMRC Government Gateway password

To set up:

  1. Select "Connect to Online Services"

  2. Follow the onscreen instructions

  3. Enter your HMRC Government Gateway password

  4. Authenticate with HMRC

Each user who submits SA100 returns must complete this setup. This includes the Primary Admin.

Using Your HMRC Connections

Submitting SA100 Returns

When you submit an SA100 return, you'll use your Online Services connection:

  1. Go to SA100 Submission

  2. Select "Submit to HMRC"

  3. Enter your HMRC Government Gateway password

  4. Return is submitted

If you haven't set up Online Services credentials, the Submit button will be greyed out.

Pulling Employment Data from HMRC

When setting up client employment information, you can pull employment data directly from HMRC using the Agent Services connection (already set up by your Primary Admin):

  • No additional setup needed

  • Employment history and P60 data populate automatically

  • Reduces manual data entry

Troubleshooting

Submit button is greyed out

Cause: You haven't set up Online Services credentials

Resolution:

  1. Go to Profile & Settings → HMRC Connection

  2. Select "Connect to Online Services"

  3. Enter your HMRC Government Gateway password and authenticate

  4. Return to SA100 Submission; button should now be active

HMRC authentication failed

Cause: Incorrect credentials or expired connection

Resolution:

  1. Go to Profile & Settings → HMRC Connection

  2. Try re-authenticating

  3. Ensure you're using the correct HMRC Government Gateway password

  4. If credentials have changed in HMRC, update them there first, then reconnect in ApariPro

Key Points

  • Two separate connections serve different purposes — Agent Services for MTD and data pull; Online Services for SA100 submission

  • Agent Services is firm-wide — Set up once by Primary Admin; all users benefit

  • Online Services is individual — Each user who submits enters their own credentials

  • Individual credentials = firm control — You decide who can submit SA100 returns by who has Online Services set up

Both enable key features — Data pull and submission both depend on having the right connections




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