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3108. I get an 'authentication error' when I try to e-file. What should I do?
 
Authentication errors are usually due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Wrong HMRC User ID entered
- Wrong HMRC Password entered, or the HMRC password was not in lower case
- Not registered for PAYE Online for Employers in the HMRC website
- Wrong Employers PAYE Reference entered.
What you need to do now:
Please click on the link https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs to go to the HMRC website. Sign in to your HMRC account using the User ID and Password you have from the HMRC. If you are unable to sign in to the HMRC website because you do not have a HMRC User ID and Password, or because the User ID and Password you have are not working, it means you cannot e-file at this time using those details. Please call the HMRC. Their phone number can be found on the HMRC website's Contact Us page. When you are able to sign in to the HMRC website you should do the following:
1. Check your User ID: Cut and Paste the User ID which you used to successfully sign in to the HMRC website into our website's Employer / Setup > Chart of Setup > E-Filing Setup > option No. 2 > Edit section.
2. Check your User Password: Enter the Password which you used to successfully sign in to the HMRC website into our website's Employer / Setup > Chart of Setup > E-Filing Setup > option No. 2 > Edit section.
Note: the HMRC Password should be entered completely in lower case.
3. Check your registration for PAYE Online for Employers: After signing in to the HMRC website check to see if you are registered for PAYE Online for Employers by clicking on 'PAYE' in the left hand menu. If you are not yet registered, you should register now by entering the details requested.
4. Check your Employers PAYE Reference: If you are registered with the HMRC for PAYE Online for Employers, in the left hand menu click on 'About Your Organisation' . Now cut and paste the PAYE Employer Reference you see in the HMRC website into our website's Employer / Setup > Chart of Setup > E-Filing Setup > option No. 2 > Edit section.
After you have completed points 1 to 4 above, re-start the e-filing process in our website. If the e-filing still fails then try to e-file using our Agent Credentials. Go to Employer / Setup > Chart of Setup > E-Filing Setup and select option No. 1. Now try e-filing again.

Road Map – Entering the HMRC E-Filing Credentials
Employer / Setup -> Chart of Setup -> E-Filing -> E-Filing Setup -> Option No. 2 / Option No. 1 -> Edit button -> Save button
( 'Employer / Setup' is the button positioned in the tasking zone menu at the top. It is the first button from the left)