Changes to CRA Online Access to Business Client’s Tax Information

The Canada Revenue Agency has advised tax professionals including tax accountants and Canadian tax lawyers that if they wish to have online access to a business client’s tax information after May 15, 2017 they will have to complete the authorization request in the Represent a Client section of the CRA web site.

Tax firms will have to log into Represent a Client and select “Review and update” from the Welcome page of the CRA web site. They should then choose “Authorization request” at the bottom of the “Manage clients” tab and follow the online instructions. Once the request is complete, tax professionals will be required to print the signature page for their client to sign. A scanned copy of the executed authorization must then be sent to the CRA using its submit documents feature.

This new authorization method will allow tax firms to gain access to their business clients’ information in five days or less instead of the 15 days it currently takes with form RC59.