Changes to Authorization Process for New Clients
There is a new process for authorizing representatives for business clients using the Business Consent Service in EFILE
Last fall, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) implemented Confirm my Representative, a two-step verification process for authorizing a representative via Represent a Client. In October 2022, this process will also apply to authorization requests submitted through the Business Consent Service in certified tax software (EFILE). The Business Consent Service is used to request access to business client information only.
We will submit an authorization request through certified tax software, the request will go into a ‘pending’ state, and will not be activated until the business owner or their delegate logs in to My Business Account and clicks on the “confirm pending authorizations” button in the Authorized Representatives section.
Some highlights of the change are:
Clients will be able to quickly and easily confirm who is able to access their tax information by using the Confirm my Representative service in My Business Account.
Once you have registered for a My Business Account, you will have to enable email notifications to be notified each time a new representative requests access. Once you receive a request, you can confirm or deny access in My Business Account.
Authorization requests submitted through the Business Consent Service in EFILE software will be marked as pending for ten business days. If you or your delegate don’t confirm it within this timeframe, the request will be canceled, and a new one will need to be submitted.
This process of confirming the authorization of a representative will be a one-time action for most business owners.
This only applies to new authorization requests, including those from a currently authorized representative if they choose to submit a new request.
In some exceptional cases, the CRA may still contact a business owner by telephone to verify a representative’s authorization.
Steps you need to take:
Make sure you have registered for a My Business Account and enabled email notifications so JMH Adams can submit an authorization request.
Business owners who are already registered for My Account do not have to register again. They can sign in to My Business Account using their CRA user ID and password.
If you don’t have a CRA user ID and password, you will need to create one and for this, you will need your:
Social insurance number
Date of birth
Current postal or zip code
Personal income tax returns from the current and previous year
Business number
Wait for the security code to be mailed to you (takes at least 10 days) then log in and enter the code.
Once you have signed up for a My Business Account, we will need to add your business number to your account. As the business owner, you will only be allowed to do this if your name and social insurance number match the information the CRA has on file for the business. If you get an error message at this step, you will need to contact the CRA to update your record.