July 15 AuthRep via tax software will DISCONTINUED!

Tax Topics
1

Just received this from CRA mailing list:

Beginning July 15, 2025, you will need to use Represent a Client to obtain access to an Individual’s account.

This message provides information on an enhancement and a change to the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) authorization service for Individuals.

Improvements to the Authorization Request service in Represent a Client.

As part of the CRA’s ongoing efforts to improve service delivery by making it faster, easier, and more secure for taxpayers and their representatives, the CRA has enhanced the Alternative process for individuals Authorization Request service in Represent a Client by removing the five-day processing time. With this new enhancement, representatives will now be given instant access to their clients’ account.

To gain instant access to an Individual’s account using the Alternative process for individuals, you must:

  • use the Authorization Request service in Represent a Client; and
  • obtain information from an Individual’s notice of assessment that was sent to them at least six months ago.

NOTE: To use the Authorization Request service in Represent a Client, the person submitting the authorization request must be the same person seeking to be authorized or a person already associated to a GroupID or a business number(BN) registered in Represent a Client. Authorizations cannot be submitted on behalf of other representatives; however, administrators of GroupIDs or BNs registered in Represent a Client can still manage authorization requests for a group, office or organization.

Upcoming changes to EFILE’s Authorize a Representative service for Individuals

Starting July 15, 2025, in alignment with the above improvement, the current Authorize a Representative service in EFILE software will no longer be available for Individuals. As a result, you will need to use Represent a Client to obtain access. However, it is important to note that this change will not impact authorization requests submitted through EFILE for Business clients.

We all play important roles in protecting information and mitigating risks by staying up-to-date and vigilant on security best practices. This change, coupled with the measures you have in place to validate the identity of your clients, raises the level of confidence that taxpayer information is fully protected. To prepare for the change, the CRA recommends that you work with your clients to ensure the necessary documentation is available for authorizing access through Represent a Client.

Your Individual clients can give you instant access to their account if they:

If you or your client do not have a CRA account, go to Register for a CRA account. To obtain full and immediate access to your CRA account, you can use the document verification service to verify your identity without waiting for a CRA security code. For more information, go to Document verification service.

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2

When I saw this new authorization on RAC in February, I wondered if this would be the new way we do authorizations. I filed a couple in February while the RAC was down. It wasn’t difficult and the authorization became effective quickly. I checked the next day and it was in effect. I’m not sure how long after I filed that it clicked in. The problem I see is that many new clients don’t have their Notice of Assessment. Also, what do you do for a person who has never filed before and obviously doesn’t have a Notice of Assessment.

I really wish they’d make it easier to get online access to T3 accounts.

At least we’ll get through THIS tax season while the old system is in place.

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We are from the government and here to help

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4

This is absolutly ridiculous… MANY taxpayers have no interest in being on the CRA Portal…how in the heck can we effectively help our clients who are not able to or are non computer friendly? I think I will have to stop taking new clients as of this change.

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This does not require the client to use MyAccount. They just need to have their Notice of Assessment.

6

Does this mean that we just log into Represent a client and request authorization there?

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You’ll have to fill out a form on RAC, enter a line # from the client’s Notice of Assessment, print the form, get the client to sign it, scan it, upload it, and hope CRA processes it quickly (as they promise to do). The current system is quite simple. The new system isn’t rocket science but it’s more work at the busiest time. CRA is giving us more work since they are obviously unable to stop giving out million dollar refunds to just anyone who claims one.

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8

I have GST client who can’t figure out how to sign up for My Business account. Again, walls instead of bridges!

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This authorization system is for T1’s. Unfortunately, the business authorization process remains the same exercise in frustration.

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This has nothing to do with business accounts, and clients are not required to sign up for My Account. It’s a change to the process in how we produce the form to be signed by the client. The client still just signs a form.

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Yes, but at the moment we just have to click a button/link in TaxCycle, and Voila! we have instant access to the personal tax account at CRA. After July 15, we won’t be able to do it through TaxCycle - it will be a bit more work on our part, and we don’t know if it will be as instantaneous.

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12

And most people don’t have/keep their NOAs, and so many have no access and refuse to set it up. So while it seems simple and just “enter a line from their NOA” that is easier said than done in most cases.

All the first time filer kids and elderly parents we’re taking on for currently clients are all going to be the ones this impacts the most. Thanks CRA for consistently taking processes and making them worse.

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13

Exactly… for those that have lost or misplaced their NOA or just plain put in the garbage… we will have no choice but to have them setup a My Account.

I can honestly say many of my clients… new or old … would not be able to provide me a copy of their NOA

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14

We are planning on making the provision of an NOA or proof of access to My Account a requirement for new clients.

We will also be helping folx sign up for My Account over the summer and with any new client who doesn’t have access already.

I understand that many older clients are resistant, but I have 80 and 90 year old clients who happily use a portal to send me documents and CRA is no different. It is about education and support to get even older folx with the system.

This isn’t going away, we need to decide on Firm Policies on how to deal with it effectively with as little disruption to our firms as possible.

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I agree. More client training.

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16

Yes, but a one person firm is extremely difficult and time consuming to help setup clients.

In addition, you must live somewhere that has reliable internet… rural new brunswick does not and those that Mt have it is out of price range of a lot of the lower income pensioners.

This system is clearly designed for city folks… as are all the other mandatory systems for business.

Cra is trying to force people into compliance without the appropriate infrastructure.

Rachel Parlee
(506) 874-3093

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Agreed, we have some farmers as clients and they literally drive into town and have the autobody shop fax me their tax papers.

I’m happy we stopped taking on new clients for the most part because this is just a frustrating situation for everyone who is not able to be part of the online world.

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@jglass I had some new poeople come to my office - they are all retired folks and half don’t own a computer or have email. I guess i will have to specialize in those clients who don’t have computers.

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Does this apply to new Authorizations only?

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My reading of the rules doesn’t require the client to have a computer or a My Account. You create the authorization form in RAC, print it, have the client sign it, and upload it to CRA. I did a few of these in February when transmitting was verboten. Those authorizations went through quickly. I’m not a big fan of new CRA processes. This is much better than the business authorizations. Unfortunately, it can’t be used for businesses.

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