Absolutely — here’s the updated help‑centre article with the corrected behaviour: messages do not appear automatically and only show when the user clicks the green HMRC Assist button. I’ve woven this into the relevant sections so the flow stays natural and clear.
HMRC Assist is a feature that allows you to view messages sent directly from HMRC in response to your latest Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) update. These messages are generated by HMRC — not by Coconut — and are tailored using the information included in your most recent submission, along with other details HMRC hold about you.
These messages are designed to provide helpful guidance, highlight potential issues, or draw your attention to important information related to your MTD ITSA updates.
What HMRC Assist Messages Include
HMRC may send messages covering topics such as:
Possible errors or inconsistencies in your latest MTD ITSA update
Reminders or prompts based on your reporting history
Guidance related to Income Tax rules that may apply to your business or personal circumstances
Notifications about missing, unusual, or unexpected information
Because these messages are personalised, the guidance you receive may differ from what other users see.
Important: Messages Come From HMRC, Not Coconut
All messages shown in HMRC Assist are created and issued by HMRC. Coconut does not write, edit, or influence the content of these messages.
Coconut simply provides a convenient way for you to view them within your account.
How to View Your HMRC Assist Messages
Messages do not appear automatically. To view any messages HMRC has issued for your latest update, you’ll need to click the green HMRC Assist button.
If HMRC has provided guidance for your submission, the messages will appear after you click the button.
If no messages are available, you’ll see a notification letting you know that HMRC has not issued any guidance for that update.
What Happens When You Click “Mark as read”
If you click the Mark as read button on an HMRC Assist message, Coconut sends a notification back to HMRC to confirm that you have read the message.
This acknowledgement is part of HMRC’s system and helps them track which messages have been viewed. Coconut does not use this information for any other purpose.
Are These Messages Official Advice?
HMRC Assist messages are provided for guidance only. They are intended to help you understand potential issues or areas to review, but they:
do not replace official HMRC advice
do not confirm whether your update is correct
should not be treated as professional tax guidance
If you’re unsure about the meaning of a message or how it applies to your situation, you may want to contact HMRC directly or speak with a qualified accountant.
When Messages Appear
HMRC Assist messages are generated shortly after your MTD ITSA update is received by HMRC. They will only be shown to you after you click the HMRC Assist button.
Need More Help?
If you have questions about the content of an HMRC message, HMRC is the best point of contact.
If you’re having trouble accessing HMRC Assist or viewing your messages, Coconut Support can help with that.
If you'd like, I can also add an FAQ section or a short version for quick‑reference guides.