28 May 2025
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is asking for agent volunteers to help with digital service testing prior to changes that will be introduced in 2026.
The policy team have received the below from HMRC’s Virtual Communication Group:
“On 28 April, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, made a Written Ministerial Statement outlining a range of administration and simplification measures which will support HMRC’s ambition to modernise the tax and customs system. The announcement included:
Mandating the payrolling of benefits in kind
HMRC will provide more time to prepare for the mandatory reporting of Income Tax and Class 1A NICs for most benefits in kind and taxable expenses from 6 April 2027, instead of 6 April 2026 as previously announced.
“The digital service that allows employers to register to voluntarily payroll benefits and expenses was introduced some years ago, and agents have been able to use it since late April 2024. Mandating the payrolling of benefits and expenses will have a major impact on the digital service, starting in April 2026.
“We would therefore like to include agents in our user research. This is specifically related to the digital service - it will not cover the practicalities or issues related to payrolling benefits.
“We expect to undertake user research in June & July 2025
“We are looking for:
- Large firms: 3 agents who have previously used the digital service
- Large firms: 1 agent who has not previously used the digital service
- Mid-sized firms 5 agents who have previously used the digital service
- Mid-sized firm 1 agent who has not previously used the digital service
- Small firms 3 agents who have previously used the digital service
“If you can help, please let us know:
- Their name
- The name of the firm they represent
- Email address
- Phone number
- Which of the 5 segments they feel they fit into”
Please complete this form, indicating the above information if you wish to take part in this trial and the policy team can send this across to the relevant stakeholders at HMRC. We cannot confirm if you will be selected or not. The deadline for providing this information is 4 June 2025.
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