The CRA Is Going Paperless. Here’s What You Need to Know
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is making a big shift. It’s moving toward a fully online system and phasing out paper-based authorizations and filings. This means it’s more important than ever to make sure your representative, like your accountant or tax advisor, is set up to access your CRA account digitally.
What Is CRA Authorization?
CRA authorization gives your representative secure, online access to your tax information. With your permission, they can:
- View your tax returns and account balances
- Communicate directly with the CRA on your behalf
- Submit filings and manage your business accounts
- Help resolve any tax-related issues quickly and accurately
Why You Should Authorize Your Representative Now
Here’s why it’s smart to get this done sooner rather than later:
1. It keeps things moving smoothly
Once authorized, your representative can file on time, catch issues early, and communicate directly with the CRA. This saves you time, stress, and back-and-forth.
2. It protects your privacy
Only verified representatives can access your account, and they do so through the CRA’s secure system. That means your information stays safe and private.
3. It leads to better results
With full access to your account, your representative can prepare more accurate filings and offer tailored advice to help you make the most of your tax situation.
As the CRA moves away from paper, being prepared means fewer delays and less stress when tax time rolls around. Authorizing your representative online is simple and gives them the tools they need to support you properly.
Not sure how to get started? Check out the steps below or contact your accountant or advisor. They’ll be able to walk you through the process in a few quick steps. It’s easy now, and it’ll save you a lot of trouble later.
How to authorize a representative:
- First, you will need to register for a CRA MyAccount.
- Once you have a verified MyAccount with CRA, you will need to add your company to your MyAccount portal by selecting the
button on the MyAccount Welcome screen and entering your company’s business number.
- If you aren’t able to add your company to your profile, you might need to call CRA (1-800-959-5525 and select the online services option) to have your social insurance number linked to your company. CRA will ask you for information from your most recent tax return to verify the account. So when you call, you should have your last corporate tax return open in order to answer any questions they have. If you are an HGA client, your tax return will be available through your ShareFile portal.
- Once you have added your company account to your MyAccount portal, you can authorize your representative through the Business Profile screen.
