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CRA

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.

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Who uses it

Friends and family members, executors, people with power of attorney, legal guardians, bookkeepers, accountants, lawyers, and employees who handle payroll or GST for their employer. To view a client's information you enter their SIN, business number, trust number or other account number from the main menu.

Never sign in to someone else's own CRA account for them: the CRA requires representatives to use Represent a Client.

Step by step

  1. Sign in to your own CRA account.
  2. On the Welcome page, select Add account.
  3. Select Representative account, then Register with Represent a Client.
  4. Choose Register yourself or Register your business.

    You receive a RepID. Businesses use their business number, and representatives can also form a group with a GroupID.

  5. Get authorized.

    Share your RepID with the person so they can authorize you. You can only see their information once you are authorized.

Related

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. How to Register for CRA My Business Account Business owners sign in to their CRA account and select Business account from the Welcome page. You need your 9-digit business number and your SIN linked to it. Accountants and employees use Represent a Client instead. How to Register for a CRA Account (My Account) Go to the official CRA sign-in page, choose "Register", pick how you will sign in (your bank, a CRA user ID, or a B.C./Alberta provincial partner), set up two passcode methods, then confirm your identity: instantly with photo ID, or with a security code mailed within 10 business days.

Sources

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.