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FinancialFebruary 18, 20268 min read

T1013 Form Guide (2026): Authorize a CRA Representative

By WelcomeAide Team

Person signing a T1013 authorization form with a tax professional across the desk

What Is Form T1013?

Quick start: use the official source first, then follow this guide step by step: Download CRA Form T1013.

Quick tip: download the official T1013 first, then fill it while following this guide: Download T1013 form (official CRA).

Form T1013, Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative, is a CRA form that allows you to give another person or organization permission to access your tax information and/or act on your behalf with the Canada Revenue Agency. This could be a tax professional, an accountant, a family member, or a community volunteer who helps you with your taxes.

When you authorize a representative, they can do things like:

  • View your tax information (income, deductions, assessments)
  • Call the CRA on your behalf to discuss your account
  • Make changes to your return
  • File your tax return through EFILE
  • Set up payment arrangements

Why Newcomers May Need a Representative

As a newcomer to Canada, you might want to authorize a representative for several reasons:

  • Language barriers: If you're not comfortable communicating with the CRA in English or French, a representative can handle communications on your behalf.
  • Complex tax situations: First-time filers often have unique situations (partial-year residency, foreign income, treaty benefits) that benefit from professional help.
  • Convenience: You may want your accountant to have ongoing access to your CRA account to handle future filings and inquiries.
  • CVITP volunteers: If you use a free tax clinic, the volunteer may need limited authorization to file your return electronically.

Types of Authorization

The T1013 allows you to grant different levels of access:

Level 1: Authorize

The representative can access your tax information, discuss your account with the CRA, and request changes. This is the most common level for accountants and tax professionals.

Level 2: Authorize with Online Access

In addition to Level 1, the representative can also access your information through the CRA's Represent a Client online service. This allows them to view your account electronically.

Level 3: Legal Representative

This is for people who have legal authority over your affairs — for example, through a power of attorney, guardianship, or if you're the executor of an estate.

Diagram showing the three levels of CRA authorization on the T1013 form

Step-by-Step: Completing the T1013

Part 1: Taxpayer Information (About You)

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN): Your 9-digit SIN
  • Last name and first name: As shown on your CRA records
  • Address: Your current mailing address
  • Date of birth: Year, month, day
  • Telephone number: A number where you can be reached

Part 2: Representative Information

For each representative (you can authorize up to 6 on one form), provide:

  • RepID, GroupID, or Business Number: Professional tax representatives have a RepID or GroupID issued by the CRA. If your representative is an individual (like a family member) without a RepID, they'll need to register for one through the CRA's Represent a Client service first.
  • Name of representative: Full name of the person or firm
  • Telephone number
  • Authorization level: Choose Level 1 or Level 2 (Level 3 requires additional documentation)

Part 3: Tax Years and Account Types

Specify which tax years and which account types the authorization covers:

  • Tax years: You can authorize for specific years (e.g., 2024, 2025) or leave it open for all years.
  • Account types: The most common for individuals is "Individual income tax" (T1). You can also authorize for GST/HST, trust (T3), and other account types.

Newcomer tip: If you're hiring an accountant to help with your first Canadian tax return, authorize them for the current year and going forward. If they'll handle your affairs long-term, you might authorize for all years.

Part 4: Expiry Date (Optional)

You can set an expiry date for the authorization. If left blank, the authorization remains in effect until you cancel it. For one-time tax filing help, consider setting the expiry date to a few months after the filing deadline.

Part 5: Signature

Sign and date the form. Only the taxpayer (you) signs Part 5 — not the representative. Your signature confirms that you're voluntarily authorizing this person to access your CRA information.

How to Submit the T1013

There are several ways to submit:

  • By mail or fax: Send to your designated tax centre
  • Through CRA My Account: You can authorize a representative online at My Account > "Authorize my representative" — this is the fastest method
  • Through your representative: If they use the CRA's Represent a Client service, they can submit a request, and you confirm it through My Account

Processing time: Online authorizations through My Account are processed immediately. Paper submissions take 2-3 weeks.

CRA My Account screen showing the Authorize my representative option

Cancelling a Representative

If you want to remove a representative's access:

  • Online: Log in to CRA My Account and go to "Manage authorized representatives" to remove them instantly.
  • By paper: Complete a new T1013, check the "Cancel" box at the top, fill in the representative's information, sign, and submit.
  • By phone: Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to request cancellation (you'll need to verify your identity).

Important: Always cancel authorization for representatives you no longer work with. Leaving old authorizations active means those people can still access your tax information.

Common Scenarios for Newcomers

Using a Free Tax Clinic (CVITP)

When a CVITP volunteer files your return electronically, they typically use an EFILE authorization. You may sign a short consent form at the clinic rather than a full T1013. This authorization is limited to filing that year's return and does not give ongoing access.

Hiring an Accountant

If you hire a professional accountant or tax preparer, they'll usually ask you to sign a T1013 authorizing them as your representative. They'll provide their RepID or GroupID. This is standard practice and gives them the access they need to file your return and communicate with the CRA on your behalf.

Family Member Helping You

If you want a family member (such as an adult child or sibling who is more familiar with the Canadian tax system) to call the CRA on your behalf, they need to be authorized. The family member will need to register for a RepID at Represent a Client before you can authorize them on the T1013.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Not including the RepID or GroupID: Without this, the CRA can't process the authorization. Make sure your representative gives you this number.
  2. Unsigned form: The T1013 must be signed by the taxpayer. Unsigned forms are returned.
  3. Not specifying the authorization level: If you don't choose a level, the CRA may default to the most restrictive option or reject the form.
  4. Forgetting to cancel old authorizations: If you switch accountants, cancel the previous one's access.
  5. Confusing T1013 with a power of attorney: The T1013 only covers CRA matters. It does not grant legal authority over your finances or other affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one representative?

Yes. You can have multiple representatives with different authorization levels. For example, your accountant could have Level 2 (online access) and a family member could have Level 1 (phone inquiries only).

Does my representative need to speak English or French?

CRA services are available in English and French only. If your representative is contacting the CRA on your behalf, they need to communicate in one of these languages.

I don't have CRA My Account yet. Can I still authorize a representative?

Yes. Submit the T1013 by mail or fax. You don't need My Account to authorize a representative — though setting up My Account is highly recommended for managing your tax affairs.

How long does the authorization last?

If you don't set an expiry date, it lasts until you cancel it. It's good practice to review your authorized representatives annually.

Form T1013 is a straightforward but important form that gives you control over who can access your tax information at the CRA. Whether you're working with a professional accountant, a community volunteer, or a trusted family member, proper authorization protects your privacy while getting you the help you need.

Download This Form

Before you submit anything, download the latest official file here: Download T1013 form (official CRA). Always use the latest version.

Related internal guides

Official external resources

Official Download and Useful Links

For accuracy, always start from the official source: Download CRA Form T1013.

Related internal guides

Official external resources

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