Dext Solo lets you choose how much of the quarterly update process each client handles. You can give clients access to their tax reports, let them submit to HMRC themselves, or both. This article covers how to enable that access and what your client needs to do once you have.
How client submissions work
Client submissions let you give clients direct access to their own HMRC data in Dext — either to review their quarterly figures, submit updates to HMRC themselves, or both. You control which level of access each client has, and you can change it at any time, including mid-year.
Regardless of the access you enable, you always retain full visibility of the client's HMRC data, obligations, and submission status. You can also submit on their behalf at any time. Client submissions is an additional path, not a handover.
Before you start
Two things need to be in place before you can enable client access:
Your practice must be connected to HMRC. Go to How to connect Dext to HMRC for MTD for Income Tax if you haven't done this yet.
The client must have a Dext login. Go to How to add a Dext Solo client for steps on inviting them.
Enable client access
To configure access, open the client's account from your Clients list and go to Business settings > Connections > HMRC connection.
Give a client access to tax reports
Turning on Enable Tax reports access gives the client visibility of their tax report, transaction summary, and items to review in Dext. They can review their data, but they can't submit to HMRC — that remains with you.
In the HMRC connection section, turn on Enable Tax reports access.
Give a client access to HMRC submissions
Turning on Enable HMRC integration gives the client the ability to connect their account to HMRC and submit quarterly updates themselves. It also enables Enable Tax reports access automatically — a client needs to review their data before they can submit.
In the HMRC connection section, turn on Enable HMRC integration.
Note: Enabling this doesn't transfer submission responsibility. Both you and the client can submit at any time, and you can still step in on their behalf if they can't meet a deadline.
What your client needs to do
After you turn on Enable HMRC integration, the client's HMRC submissions area appears in their sidebar with a padlock. It's in preview mode until they complete their own HMRC connection.
To connect to HMRC from their own login, the client needs to:
Go to Business settings > Connections > HMRC connection.
Select Connect to HMRC.
Their National Insurance number is pre-filled from their Dext account. Confirm it's correct, then select Continue.
Complete the authorisation steps on HMRC's website. Dext redirects them back automatically.
Back on the Connections page, the account shows as connected to HMRC. If income sources aren't linked yet, select the Income sources link to connect them for MTD submissions.
Note: If you were already submitting on the client's behalf before enabling this, their income sources are most likely already linked. The Income sources prompt is mainly relevant for brand new clients.
What to do next
Once your client has connected to HMRC, their HMRC submissions area unlocks and they can prepare and submit quarterly updates.
Using the MTD IT obligations dashboard — track submission status and obligations across all Solo clients, including those who submit themselves
How to connect Dext to HMRC for MTD for Income Tax — if you need to review or update the practice-side HMRC connection