Agent detail registration for self-assessment and pay-as-you-earn will now go through an office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) now requires those after this code to approach the central agent authorisation team, who is now responsible for agent records and their maintenance.

Every agent operating on behalf of a taxpayer that requires this code, such as umbrella companies, must be allocated by this organisation.

These will need to be quoted on every 64-09 agent authorisation application, although the agent can also register for the relevant online services.

It is hoped that the time this process takes will be accelerated by the move, which centralises it and allows a specialist team to tackle these issues.

"Centralisation will also help HMRC provide a more efficient, effective and consistent customer service," the organisation asserts.

HMRC recently announced that it would be running a number of courses designed to help contractors understand tax more easily.