With the changes and updates in how to get authorized, how does an authorized signatory get CRA access if the business has not done any filings?
Im working with a not for profit to get their taxes updated (not subject to HST). The director is on file, but after adding the business number to their personal profile, they are being asked for recent filing information for either HST (not registered) or corporate tax (not really subject to it as an NFPO).
Anyone come across this lately? Does the director have to call CRA? We are in a chicken and egg scenario as we don’t know what corporate tax / T1044 has been filed previously, and it does not seem we have a way of figuring that out (unless the director is able to call, I guess).
I had a similar situation a few years ago (2018 I think?). There were fewer CRA online services and features then, but it you might have similar issues getting access.
In my case the NPO had no idea whose name was on file at CRA as the primary contact person, so we had to send in the entity profile report from the provincial corporate registry to prove that the person who should NOW be the contact person was, in fact, a director of the NPO. Interestingly, the current board at that time didn’t even know if the NPO had a CRA BN, so once CRA updated the “contact person” we had to send a letter signed by that person asking CRA to TELL them what it was and when the last T2 was filed (no T1044 applicable here). CRA replied (paper mail) with the last filed T2 (2012 or something), as well as identifying a number of years in the previous 10 where a T2 was not filed (which they now wanted filed).
After obtaining the BN and getting the contact person registered with CRA, we were able to generate the authorization request form via RAC, get it signed/scanned/uploaded, and got online access.
I hope your situation isn’t quite as complicated. Good luck.
I have been filing the T2 for a NPO but again, no one knew who was authorized to sign the AuthBusRep. I went to the Ontario Registry, paid the $8 and found the latest names on the report. The name I found was someone I had known for 40 years, so he signed and away we go.
in my case the person who can sign appears to be on file with CRA…its just a matter of apparently now having to fill in recent filing information…which we don’t have and dont have a way to get as nothing has ever been filed to our knowledge
For a new client that just incorporated it should be fairly easy because CRA will have the primary contact on file as a result of the incorporation. Get the client to log in to their CRA account and click the Add account button (see below). Then click the link to add an existing business number, then type in the business number.
What I’m seeing on this thread is that it’s assumed the client has set up, or is willing to set up, My Account or My Business Account, as appropriate. I have clients who have no computer, they have a tablet to use for video chats with their family, and that’s it. Fortunately, I had access to their data eons ago. But a new client, or an existing client with a newly incorporated company can be an absolute nightmare. Even then, knowing whose name is on file with CRA can take time. I have found that John P. Doe, John P Doe, John Doe, J P Doe, are not equivalent. Nor is O’Hearn and OHearn. At one time, I would call CRA and the agent would tell me which of my guesses was right. Probably doesn’t work now, especially with the 83% failure rate.
@Nezzer My client is setup for My Business account with another corporation. For his new corporation, after going through those steps, it will still ask for amounts on the T2. Which doesn’t make any sense if there was no Tax return filed yet.
@Rein Hmm. Last client I helped get access to a new corp, the MBA process didn’t ask for T2 data - just the BN. Not sure why or when it decides that no T2 data is necessary.
This is what I tell my clients and it always worked for me:
If you have not filed a T2 Corporation Return before, please call the CRA 1-800-959-5525 and ask them you want to connect your corporation to your online profile login. If you have filed a T2 return for this corporation then have it available to enter line items from prior years return, if however you have lost these documents then call the CRA 1-800-959-5525 and ask them you want to connect your corporation to your online profile login
