This article describes “Represent A Client”, a new Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) innovation that we tried for the first time this year.  It gives the CVITP volunteer registered for EFILE and a representative identifier (Rep ID) access – on a read-only basis – to the client’s entire CRA Account (whether or not the client has set up their own access to it).  If the CVITP volunteer has the client’s permission, this function can be used for many things including:

• Getting T slip information to prepare income tax and benefit returns prior to 2017;
• Seeing the Express Notice of Assessment on the same day the return is efiled;
• Confirming that the CRA has received a return submitted by paper; and
• Troubleshooting a wide range of questions raised by the client.

The article also explains how the authorized CVITP volunteer can access the client’s CRA account using “Represent A Client”.