Frequently asked questions - Registering for this service

1. Who can use this service?
2. What information will I need to get a CRA user ID and password (Authenticate)?
3. Why do I have to identify myself (authenticate) using my own personal information?
4. How do I register myself with Represent a Client?
5. What are the differences between independent, employee, and business owner representatives?
6. Is my RepID valid immediately?
7. How many RepIDs can I register for?
8. How do I register my tax services business with your service?
9. Do I need a Business Number to register my business?
10. Who can register a business with this service?
11. Can I use this service to register my business with the CRA?

---

1. Who can use this service?

Individuals who need to access tax information online for the business they work for.

Individuals who need to access tax information online for family members or friends.

Individuals who work for tax, payroll, or accounting services and, as part of their job, need to access their individual or business clients tax information online. Tax, payroll or accounting businesses that need to access their individual or business clients tax information online.

2. What information will I need to get a CRA user ID and password (Authenticate)?

You will need a CRA user ID and password to register to use this service. To get a CRA user ID and password, you need to provide:

• the eight-character alphanumeric access code from your Notice of Assessment; and
• your postal code or ZIP code.

To register your business, see How do I register my tax services business with your service?

3. Why do I have to identify myself (authenticate) using my own personal information?

The CRA is responsible for protecting confidential taxpayer information by preventing unauthorized access. The CRA can only disclose information about a taxpayer to the taxpayer or to their authorized representatives. Therefore we need to identify you, and ensure that you are the person who has been authorized to access the taxpayer's information. 

4. How do I register myself with Represent a Client?

• Select "login now" and login with your CRA user ID and password.
• Select the link register Yourself, agree to the Terms and Conditions of Use (TCU) and identify whether or not you are an employee of a tax/payroll or accounting service.

Enter your first and last name on the registration screen. You will also be able to enter optional information such as your initials, email address, the business name or location where you work as well as telephone and FAX numbers. Your registration information (excluding your email address) will be displayed to anyone trying to authorize you.

A representative identifier (RepID) will be issued at the end of this registration process. You will then give this RepID to your clients so they can authorize you to transact for them.

5. What are the differences between independent, employee, and business owner representatives?

Independent representatives may include a family member, friend, or neighbour. A sole proprietor of a tax services business with no BN would also register the business as an independent representative.

Employees of non-tax or payroll business who, as part of their job, manage the tax affairs for the business they work for are considered to be Independent representatives.  The owner of the business will authorize them to access information and services found on My Business Account.

Employee representatives are employees of tax services businesses who, as part of their job, are authorized by their clients to deal with the CRA for them. Employee representatives can also be employees of a business that requires certain tax data but is not necessarily directly involved in tax matters, such as a legal firm or a bank.

Business owner representatives are the person(s) registered with the CRA as one of the owners, partners, directors, or officers of the business. When the business is registered with this service, the business owner registers himself and creates a RepID in the same process. Once the business is registered, partners and co-owners can then register themselves to receive a business owner RepID.

6. Is my RepID valid immediately?

If you register as an independent representative, you can give your RepID immediately to your clients, family, or friends so they can authorize you as their representative.

If you register as an employee representative, you will have to give your RepID to your employer who will link the RepID to the business. Once this is done, your RepID will be active and you can give it to your clients so they can authorize you as a representative of the business.

If you register as a business owner representative, you can give your RepID immediately to clients of your business so they can authorize you as a representative of the business.

7. How many RepIDs can I register for?

You can only get one independent RepID and up to five employee RepIDs. You need one employee RepID for each employer. You will not be able to use the same employee RepID for different employers.

8. How do I register my tax services business with your service?

To begin the registration process, select the "Your business" link from the Represent a Client main menu. To register your business as a representative, you must be identified as a business owner, partner, director, or officer in the Business Number (BN) registration program. You will need to provide:

• the eight-character alphanumeric access code from your Notice of Assessment and your postal code or ZIP code;
• the BN for your business; and
• the legal or operating name you choose to use for this service from names already in our records. This name will be displayed to clients who authorize you online, and
• you will be required to enter your personal contact information and will also be able to enter optional information such as your business name and home telephone and FAX numbers.

Once your business is registered, you or your employees can give your BN to your clients so they can authorize your business as their representative online or using the paper Form T1013, Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative, or Form RC59, Business Consent Form.

9. Do I need a Business Number to register my business?

If your business is a tax services or accounting business where your employees are authorized by your clients to deal with the CRA for them, you will have to use your Business Number (BN) to register your business with this service.

If you operate a tax services business as a sole proprietor and do not have a BN, you can register as an independent representative and you will be able to enter the name of your business for this service. Your name and business name will then be displayed to anyone who attempts to authorize you online

10. Who can register a business with this service?

The persons identified as the business owner, partners, directors, or officers on our BN database can register the business for this service. We also need their social insurance numbers in our BN database to verify their identity and authority.

11. Can I use this service to register my business with the CRA?

No. You register your business for a Business Number and CRA program accounts (such as, Corporate Income Tax, GST/HST, Payroll, and Import/Export) or a participating provincial program by:

• using Business Registration On-line at www.businessregistration.gc.ca;
• calling the Businesses and self-employed individuals line at 1-800-959-5525;
• visiting your tax services office; or
• mailing a completed Form RC1, Request for a Business Number, to your tax services office.