Are you ready for Multi-Factor Authentication on your agent accounts?

If you didn’t choose to activate Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your agent accounts on one of the specific dates offered by HMRC, you need to ensure you are ready for HMRC’s final rollout to all remaining accounts between 28 September and 15 October 2026. HMRC is offering a webinar for agents which will explain the steps you can take to prepare, and what the sign-in experience will look like once MFA is switched on.

We shared HMRC’s recommended steps for preparing for MFA in May and the full timetable in June. It’s now too late to choose a specific activation date, but there’s still time to prepare before the final rollout begins on 28 September.

HMRC has announced that MFA will be activated on remaining agent accounts “around 9am each day, ‌‌‌Monday‌‌‌ to‌‌‌ Thursday” during the rollout period (which ends on 15 October).

Actions you can take before 28 September

HMRC’s Tax Agent’s Handbook provides detailed guidance on all the steps agents can take to prepare. These three key actions could prevent disruption to your work when MFA is switched on: 

1. Check whether an MFA option has already been set on your account. This could have happened years ago. When MFA is activated, access codes will be sent to the contact details saved at the time. If those details are out of date you could lose access to your account, so it’s important to check, and update where necessary.
2. Decide how you want to receive MFA access codes and make sure your staff are prepared and know what to do. There are three possible methods to choose from. HMRC recommends using an authenticator app and setting up another method as a back up, but you can choose the option that works best for you.
3. Consider setting up additional administrators for your account if you have multiple staff members. This will help you to manage MFA, even if one administrator isn’t available.

If you do experience problems when MFA is activated, you’ll need to contact HMRC’s Online Services Helpdesk, but they could be very busy - acting now could save you time.

Get help to prepare from HMRC

You can register now for an HMRC webinar ‘Getting ready for Multi-Factor Authentication’.

HMRC will explain  “the five preparation steps you can work through straight away, what the sign-in experience will look like once MFA is active, and where to find further support and guidance.”

The live webinar takes place on 9 September, but a recording will be available to watch later. Register now to make sure you don’t miss it. 

Let us know what you think

We respond to tax consultations and calls for evidence and attend meetings with HMRC at which service levels, delays and other issues you raise with us are discussed. We welcome input from members to inform our work; email us to share your insights and feedback.