From this week, as planned, HMRC is starting to make 2 Step Verification (2SV) a requirement for all businesses accessing online services. This minor change for users will create a much safer experience when using our services.
HMRC began introducing 2SV in December 2015. Since then, more than 11 million individuals and businesses have successfully set up 2SV to protect their online tax accounts.
At HMRC, we take the protection of customer data extremely seriously. Similar to other large financial organisations, we are an obvious target for fraudsters and cyber criminals, which is why we require 2SV. Its use is backed by the National Cyber Security Centre and promoted by Cyber Aware and Action Fraud.
HMRC regularly encourages tax agents, who hold a trusted financial role with their clients, to have their own online security measures in place.
Many businesses need to delegate account access to members of their staff to handle aspects of their tax. This can still be done with 2SV. Access credentials should not be shared. Instead, business users can utilise their administrator and assistant functionality - in their Business Tax Account - to create additional users for individuals requiring access to their account. Each of these credentials will then have its own 2SV.
If you encounter issues using 2SV with HMRC, our Online Services Helpdesk is available to assist.
