| Overview |
The Agent Details section of a tax return captures information about the agent or practice submitting the return on the client's behalf. In BrightTax, agent details are populated from your system settings rather than being entered manually on each return — this article explains where they are stored and how to check or update them.
| Where Agent Details Are Stored in BrightTax |
Agent details are configured once at the practice level in BrightTax System Settings and are applied automatically to all returns submitted from your account. You do not need to enter them on each individual return.
- From the BrightTax dashboard, click the cog icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
- Go to System Settings > HMRC Filing Credentials.
- Your agent reference number, agent name, and contact details are stored here.
- If any details are missing or incorrect, update them here and save.
- The updated details will be applied to all future submissions automatically.
| Viewing Agent Details on an Individual Tax Return |
To confirm the agent details that will be submitted on a specific ITR:
- Open the Individual Tax Return task in BrightTax.
- Switch to Edit mode.
- Navigate to the SA100 core return.
- Scroll to the Agent section — this is typically near the end of the SA100, in the About Your Agent pages.
- The agent name, address, and reference number will be populated from your System Settings.
- If any field appears blank, return to System Settings > HMRC Filing Credentials and complete the missing information.
| ✔ Tip: Agent details on the SA100 are read-only on the return itself — they cannot be edited directly on the form. All changes must be made in System Settings. This ensures consistency across all returns submitted by your practice. |
| What the Agent Details Section Contains |
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Agent Reference Number | Your SA agent reference number registered with HMRC |
| Agent Name | Your practice name as registered with HMRC |
| Agent Address | The practice address — used on the SA100 agent declaration |
| Agent Phone Number | Contact number for HMRC to use if they need to contact the agent |
| Agent Email | Contact email for HMRC correspondence |
| ⚠ Important: If your agent reference number is missing or incorrect, HMRC may reject the submission or be unable to contact your practice regarding the return. Ensure all agent details are correctly configured in System Settings before submitting returns. |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: My agent reference number is showing on some returns but not others — why?
A: Check the HMRC Filing Credentials in System Settings. If the SA agent reference is entered but the CT agent reference is blank (or vice versa), it will appear on SA returns but not CT returns, or vice versa. Each return type has its own credential field.
Q: I act as agent for some clients but not others — can I leave agent details blank for self-filing clients?
A: If a client is filing their own return and you are not acting as agent, leave the agent fields blank in System Settings for that client's returns. Alternatively, consider creating a separate BrightTax user account for self-filing clients without agent credentials.
Q: HMRC has rejected my return citing missing agent details — what should I check?
A: Go to System Settings > HMRC Filing Credentials and confirm the SA agent reference number is entered correctly. Also check that the agent name and address fields are complete — HMRC requires all mandatory agent fields to be populated for agent submissions.
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