What to Do When Your A1 Certificate Is Delayed: A Guide for Musicians on Tour

We're hearing of so many issues with A1 certificates at the moment. HMRC's current timescale (as of June 2025) to action A1 requests is about 27 weeks... ARGH!

If you want to see where your A1 is in the queue, we recommend using this HMRC checking tool: Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC

Assuming the answer is not what you were hoping to hear, here are a few options to keep you going while you wait for your A1 to be processed:

1. Apply for CA3837 Forms Instead of the Full A1

If you’re touring overseas soon, consider applying for individual CA3837 forms for each overseas job instead of the more comprehensive two-year A1 (CA8421i).

This won’t work in every case, but it can be faster and more manageable if you have specific upcoming engagements.

2. Request a Cash Advance from the Promoter

If it’s too late to submit a CA3837 and you’re still waiting…

Ask the promoter if they’d be willing to provide a cash advance on your fee. This can be processed by the promoter as a loan rather than income, reducing the likelihood of needing to process local social security or withholding tax deductions.

How Much to Ask For?

• Keep it modest: around 60% of the agreed fee is generally safe.

• In countries with high withholding tax, like Italy or the USA, stick to 50%.

This approach helps your cash flow without breaching tax rules, while the promoter stays compliant.

Once your A1 certificate finally arrives, the promoter can settle the remaining balance and everything can be properly reconciled.

3. Make a Complaint to HMRC

This step may not guarantee immediate action, but it can sometimes speed up the process.

Here’s how:

• Use the official complaints procedure: Complain about HMRC

• Be sure to cite “financial hardship” in your complaint to support your case.

You’re Not Alone

We wish you well - this is a huge and frustrating barrier faced by many musicians and touring organisations right now, and it's not ok. We're doing what we can to help navigate it and keep you on the road.