HMRC has announced it will withdraw Verify, the troubled Government Digital Service (GDS) identity verification and sign-in system, from Friday. ICAEW’s Tax Faculty has previously highlighted the planned withdrawal of Verify.

From 1 April, users will need to sign in using a Government Gateway user ID. An option to create a Government Gateway user ID is available from all sign-in pages for HMRC online services (select ‘create sign in details’).

Verify has been available to access the following HMRC services:

• Check your income tax for the current year
• Help friends or family with their tax
• Sign in and file your self assessment tax return
• Sign in to your personal tax account
• Check your state pension

All of these services can also be accessed using Government Gateway credentials. Verify is not used to access any agent services.

HMRC’s trusted helper service allows an individual to give another person      access to certain online HMRC services (not including filing a self assessment tax return). Existing trusted helper relationships will remain in place after Verify is withdrawn.

HMRC has advised that its systems will prevent taxpayers from linking their self assessment record to more than one Government Gateway user ID. If this causes a problem that cannot be resolved though the on screen options (including ‘get help with this page’), taxpayers should contact HMRC’s online services helpdesk.

HMRC has sent individual letters to those with active trusted helper relationships and those who have recently used Verify to file a self assessment tax return.

The GDS strategy is to develop a single sign-in and digital identity solution that will work for all online government services. ICAEW’s Tax Faculty will be engaging with these developments and how they might affect agent and taxpayer access to HMRC online services.