Restore EFILE representative authorization
Petitioners ask the Government to direct the CRA to restore EFILE representative authorization so certified e-filers can submit client authorizations and to use offender-specific fraud sanctions. The government responds it will not restore the former EFILE method and requires use of the Represent a Client portal, AUT‑01 offline form and verification alternatives.
Why we would sign this petition
- Restores access for seniors and people without digital skills by allowing trusted preparers to submit authorizations on their behalf.
- Enables efficient processing by certified e-filers, which could reduce delays and improve taxpayers' timely access to services.
- Seeks to focus enforcement on bad actors by using offender-specific sanctions rather than broad restrictions on compliant professionals.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Reinstating the old EFILE method could increase risks of fraud or unauthorized access to sensitive taxpayer information.
- Reversing the change might impose additional compliance and oversight burdens on the CRA and on preparers, complicating administration.
- The CRA already provides alternatives (Represent a Client portal, AUT-01 and verification processes), so restoration may be unnecessary or duplicative.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Whereas: • Over the past several years, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has moved to a system for authorizing representatives only through online access using a CRA "My Account"; • This shift to online-only authorization has disproportionately affected seniors, persons with disabilities, and Canadians who lack computer skills, reliable internet access, or digital literacy, creating barriers to accessing tax services; • Many affected Canadians rely on trusted tax preparers or agents to assist them with meeting their tax obligations, and the current authorization system effectively prevents timely and practical access to that assistance; • Prior to these changes, authorized tax preparers using certified tax software were able to process taxpayer authorizations securely and efficiently on behalf of their clients; • While preventing fraud is a legitimate and important objective, the current system unfairly penalizes the vast majority of compliant tax preparers and taxpayers due to the actions of a small number of bad actors; • Modern technology allows the CRA to monitor electronic filing activity and identify fraudulent behaviour, enabling enforcement actions to be targeted at those who commit fraud rather than imposing broad restrictions on all users. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to direct the CRA to: • Restore the previous method for authorizing tax preparers who are approved efilers using certified software to process taxpayer authorizations on behalf of their clients, ensuring accessibility for seniors and Canadians without digital access or skills; and • Ensure that fraud prevention measures are targeted at offenders, including lifetime bans for those who abuse the system and appropriate criminal prosecution, rather than imposing blanket restrictions that create unnecessary barriers for the majority of taxpayers and tax professionals.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Finance and National Revenue Signed by The Honourable Wayne Long Effective July 15, 2025, the Authorize a Representative service in EFILE-certified tax software is no longer available for individual clients. Representatives must now use the Represent a Client portal to obtain online access. This transition supports our commitment to protecting taxpayer information and improving digital service delivery. Visit Representatives: Request authorization for more information on how representatives may request online access to an account in the Represent a Client portal. We understand that not all taxpayers have access to the internet or are comfortable using digital tools. To support these individuals, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers a flexible and inclusive approach: Alternative Process for IndividualsIf a client cannot access My Account (Sign in to your CRA account), they can still authorize a representative by providing previously assessed tax information. This Alternative process for individuals does not require the client to log in online and allows the representative to submit the authorization request using the Represent a Client portal on their behalf. The system will prompt the representative to upload a signed consent form and, in some cases, the CRA may follow up with the client by phone to verify the request. In certain situations, it is possible that the client of a tax preparer may not be eligible to register for My Account nor provide tax information. In such cases, Represent a Client will prompt the representative to obtain signed consent from their client, which must be submitted as part of the authorization process. With this information provided, the CRA may still contact their client by phone to verify the request. For more details, visit Brochure: Submitting an authorization request through Represent a Client. Offline AccessClients who prefer not to use online services or give online access to their representative may authorize a representative by completing form AUT-01 Authorize a Representative for Offline Access (AUT-01 Authorize a Representative for Offline Access). This form will authorize a representative to have access to information by phone, by mail, or by fax. Note that the AUT-01 does not provide online access. These options ensure that clients who lack access to the internet or are not comfortable using digital tools can still be represented effectively and securely. We have encouraged tax professionals to work closely with their clients to gather the necessary documentation and ensure a smooth authorization process. These changes were introduced to protect taxpayer information and to ensure that the CRA has clear and informed taxpayer consent before access to an account is granted. Given the sensitivity of the information involved, the CRA must take a preventative approach, rather than a reactive one, as unauthorized access can have long-lasting negative impacts for affected taxpayers. This change should not be viewed as a blanket restriction, but rather as an enhancement to the authorization process in response to the current operating environment, in which the sensitive information held by the CRA continues to be a target for threat actors. While the change may require some adjustments to existing business processes for tax preparation services, it also helps reduce the risk of tax preparers being targeted, compromised, and/or unknowingly used as a means to obtain taxpayer information for fraudulent purposes. By strengthening oversight and consent controls, the updated process supports the protection of both taxpayers and the professionals who represent them. As outlined above, secure alternatives remain available, including authorization through the Represent a Client portal and the use of Form AUT-01 for offline access. These options ensure that taxpayers can continue to authorize representatives in a manner that aligns with their circumstances, while maintaining the security and integrity of taxpayer information. The CRA remains committed to evolving its services to be fast, easy, and secure, while also being inclusive of all taxpayers. Protecting taxpayer information is a top priority, and these changes are part of our broader strategy to enhance security and service quality. The protection of taxpayer information is of the utmost importance to the CRA and although we are unable to restore the previous method used by tax preparers, the options explained above offer secure alternatives for Canadians. It should also be noted that tax preparers do not require online access to taxpayer information to complete and submit tax returns.