How to Authorize a Representative With the CRA (Family or Accountant)

Sign in to My Account, choose Profile, then Add in the Authorized representative(s) section. Pick level 1 (view only) or level 2 (view and make some changes). Your representative must already have a RepID from Represent a Client. To give phone and mail access only, mail Form AUT-01.

By Sarah Moglin Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

Last verified November 10, 2026 How we check our facts

Levels of access

Level	What they can do	Available for
Level 1	View your information only	Personal, business, trust, non-resident
Level 2	View your information and make certain changes	Personal, business, trust, non-resident
Level 3	Level 2 plus authorize other representatives	Business and registered plan accounts only

Other ways to authorize

Method	How it works
You confirm in My Account	Your representative sends a request from Represent a Client. You approve it under Profile, then Confirm pending authorizations.
You give them tax information	You share details from a notice of assessment for a return processed at least six months ago. Works even if you have no CRA account.
Signed consent	If you can't do either, your representative may ask you to sign a consent that they submit. The CRA may call you to check.
Form AUT-01 by mail	Gives access by phone, mail, fax and in person only, not online. One form per representative, mailed to the tax centre on the form within six months of signing.

Who can be your representative

An accountant, bookkeeper, lawyer, your spouse or common-law partner, another family member, a friend, an executor, or someone with power of attorney.

Check or remove a representative

In My Account, go to Profile and choose View authorized representatives. You can see what each one did on your account, change their access or delete them. Access lasts until you or they cancel it, or until an expiry date you set.

Power of attorney and guardians

A legal representative, such as a power of attorney or a court-appointed guardian, sends the legal document to the CRA instead. They put their RepID on each page to get online access. The CRA generally processes these documents in about 28 business days.

A parent who lives at the same address as their child is assumed to be the child's legal guardian until the child turns 18 or 19, depending on the province.

Step by step

Ask your representative for their RepID, GroupID or business number.
They get one by registering for Represent a Client in their own CRA account.
Sign in to your CRA account and open My Account.
Select Profile, then Add under Authorized representative(s).
Read "Before you begin" and select Start.
Enter their identifier and choose the level of access.
You can also set an expiry date if you want the access to end.

Phone numbers

CRA individual enquiries

1-800-959-8281

Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time

From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-613-940-8495 (collect calls through an operator)

How to Register for CRA Represent a Client (Help a Family Member or Client) Represent a Client is the part of your own CRA account used to manage someone else's tax information, such as a parent, friend or client. Sign in, select Add account, choose Representative account, register yourself or your business, then get the person's authorization. CRA My Account: What You Can Do and Who Can Use It CRA My Account is the free Canada Revenue Agency portal where you view and manage your personal tax and benefit information online. You can see your notices of assessment, tax slips, refund status, RRSP and TFSA room, and benefit payments, and you can update your address, banking and marital status. You need a SIN and a recent assessed tax return to register. Keep Your CRA Account Secure: Settings, Warning Signs, Hacked Accounts Check your CRA account regularly for changes you did not make, such as a new address, new direct deposit details or a new representative. Use a unique password, add a backup passcode method and turn on email notifications. If you suspect someone got in, call the CRA right away. CRA Phone Number and Contact Numbers (2026): Every Line and Hours The main CRA phone number is 1-800-959-8281 for personal tax and CRA account questions. For benefits like the Canada child benefit call 1-800-387-1193, and for businesses 1-800-959-5525. All three are open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time, and closed on weekends and public holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Can my spouse access my CRA account?

Only as your authorized representative, through Represent a Client. They should never sign in to your own My Account.

Does authorization end when I die?

Not automatically. A representative keeps access after the CRA is notified of a death, unless they were your legal representative. Access ends when cancelled or when it reaches its expiry date.

Is Form AUT-01 enough for online access?

No. AUT-01 only covers phone, mail, fax and in person. For online access, authorize them in My Account or through Represent a Client.

Sources

Authorize a representative: overview (canada.ca, 2026-06-30) (canada.ca)
Level of access you can give (canada.ca)
How to give authorization (canada.ca)
Legal representative (canada.ca)

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.