When was the last time you accessed your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account?
For a lot of our clients, the answer is one of the following:
- “Never — I wouldn’t even know how to log in.”
- “I think my bookkeeper handles that?”
And it is true. At Homeroom, we have authorized representative access to all of our clients’ CRA accounts.
As a result, many clients have not logged in directly in years and their CRA accounts have not been updated recently.
While we appreciate your trust in us to relay important communication, it’s important that you’re also able to access and log into your CRA account when needed.
Here’s why having CRA access is as important as brushing your teeth:
- Keep your information up to date: If personal details change (such as your home address, phone number, or marital status), having your own CRA access allows you to update or confirm your information quickly and ensure nothing is missed.
- Stay in control of your information: CRA sends important alerts and requests directly to you. You can view your tax details, notices, and balances anytime.
- Avoid missed communication: CRA messages and deadlines are time-sensitive and may require your direct attention.
- Easier Account Transitions: If anything ever changes with your representative relationship, you still retain full access.
- Security and Peace of Mind: You maintain full visibility of your own account activity and authorization settings
- Better Collaboration With Us: When both sides have access, we can support you more efficiently and accurately.
- Avoid phone calls to CRA (enough said, right?)
- Faster Access When It Counts: No delays—important CRA updates can be reviewed immediately without waiting for bookkeeper response (albeit we do respond quickly 🙂
This simple habit of logging regularly into your CRA account helps you spot issues early and avoid bigger problems later. See, just like brushing teeth!
Why Nobody Ever Really Logs Into CRA (and that’s okay… until it isn’t)
There are several common reasons you may not currently have access to your CRA account:
“I lost my password”
Once upon a time you jauntily jotted down the password on the back of a Thrifties receipt and now it is nowhere to be found. Understandable. It happens. Really.
All is not lost…
Do one of the following right away:
- Go to the CRA sign-in page
- Select the “Forgot username” or “Forgot password” option
- Choose your recovery method: You’ll typically be asked to verify your identity using one of the options on file (like email, phone number, or security questions).
- Follow the reset instructions: CRA will guide you through creating a new password once your identity is confirmed.
- If you can’t recover access online: You may need to contact CRA directly to reset your account or verify your identity manually.
- If you use a representative (like Homeroom): We can also help confirm your account status and guide you through regaining access, but you’ll still need to complete CRA’s security steps personally.
- Log in using your bank through a Sign-In Partner, if you’ve already linked your account.
- Update or recover your multi-factor authentication method
- Call CRA individual or business enquiries to verify identity and unlock/reset the account
- Create a new CRA login if needed and reconnect access
Sometimes CRA mails a security code to the address on file, so recovery can take several days. Keeping your login active and up to date helps avoid delays when urgent matters come up.
Friendly Tip: Whatever you do, write down your recovery info and password in a notebook or other secure place. CRA often asks security questions upon login and it is important to have this handy.
“I’ve never logged in…ever”
No CRA account, no problem. Many people simply haven’t registered for online access yet.
- You’ll need to create your CRA login for the first time
This involves setting up either a CRA user ID/password or signing in through your online banking (Sign-In Partner). - CRA will verify your identity
This may include security questions or sending a one-time security code by mail to the address on file. - Mail verification can take time
If CRA needs to mail a code, it can take several days, which may delay full access. - Once set up, future access is much easier
After the initial setup, signing in is quick and secure. - We can help guide you through it
While setup must be completed by you, we can support you step-by-step to make the process smoother.
“My bookkeeper can log in. That’s all that matters”
While it is crucial that your accountant or bookkeeper have access, it is just as vital for you to be able to access your CRA account.
- Only you know when your personal information changes and need to update CRA accordingly.
- We do not check CRA mail unless you send us a specific letter to look at and have questions.
- While we need access to file your tax return, we don’t provide credit and benefit details. You’ll need to view that information directly in your CRA account.
- We can file your GST return and confirm what is owing, but payments must be made by you through CRA.
It might feel overwhelming now, but once you’re in, it’s like unlocking new superpowers…and you might even find it fun.
If you are a Homeroom client and get stuck, reach out to us at info@homeroombookkeeping.com We are always ready to help and save the day!