AUTHORIZATION, E-FILING, AUTOFILL
Authorization and Efiling:
Identification matching errors:
Matching errors can occur for any client, but especially first-time filers, which requires an exact name match to the one used by Services Canada when issuing a SIN.
Strategy #1: Try entering name variations:
Strategy #2: If you can’t efile, try getting authorization. If you can’t get authorization, try efiling:
CRA’s checking systems for filing authorizations and efiling are different. You may be able to do one but not the other. For example, suppose you enter the name ‘Mary Anne’ not ‘Mary-Anne’. If the CRA has the name Mary-Anne, you may be able to efile the return without the hyphen, but not get authorization.
If you get an efile error, try filing an authorization. If you can file an authorization, go to the client’s My CRA account (with their permission) and then look at the name CRA has. Change the name in UFile to match CRA’s name, and then efiling should work.
If you have a client who needs to file multiple years of tax returns, and slip info is needed, your first step is to file an authorization. If an error occurs, and you somehow have the necessary information to prepare and efile at least one year, then file that year. If you are successful, then review the efile confirmation form which will have the client’s name. Change the name in UFile to match the name on the confirmation form. Then try filing an authorization again.
Authorization can be successful if an incorrect birthdate is entered. If authorization is successful but efiling is not, double check the client’s birthdate.
Client’s account is locked:
Account temporarily locked: (eg. client entered something wrong too many times when trying to get into their account, such as password, answer to security question, or banking info) | Account locked by CRA due to concerns of fraud, identify theft, or unauthorized access: | Enhanced security: (account flagged with security warning that doesn’t prevent client login but prevents rep access) | |
Authorization: | Will work | Will not work | Will work |
AFR: | May not work until the client successfully re-establishes access to their MyCRA account | Will not work | Will not work |
Represent-a-client: | May not work | Will not work | Will not work |
EFile: | Will work | May work | Will work |
Client’s own access to MyCRA: | Will not work until client regains access (which may not require a call to the CRA) | Will not work until client calls CRA to address issues | Will work |
An AFR error could arise due to some technical or administrative issue other than security concerns, which could be resolved by calling the CVITP help line.
If a client’s account was locked because they entered an incorrect password too many times, they can regain access by re-registering for MyCRA, or instead they can call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. The CRA reports expected call wait times.
If a client’s account was locked due to entering the wrong MFA one-time passcode too many times, they will be temporarily locked out for 30 minutes. After that period, they can try again or use another method. If this happens 3 times, the client will be permanently locked out and will need to contact the CRA to regain access.
If a client’s account is locked due to security concerns and they need to call the CRA, the correct number to call is
CPP or EI Overpayment error:
Efiling for a tax year that is more than 4 years ago can’t be efiled if there is an overpayment of CPP or EI, but there is a workaround.
Autofill:
Autofill is available for 2017 and onwards.
Besides downloading t-slips, autofill may provide “client data”:
This data may be viewable by clicking on the left, CRA Auto-fill my return - Other data. Or the data may be viewable with the preview of t-slip information prior to clicking the ‘accept’ button. If this data is not viewable, much of it can be accessed by using represent-a-client to access a client’s My Account.
Autofill of T5 Slips for joint owners:
T5s are sometimes issued to joint owners, such as spouses. Autofill will provide the total box numbers. It is up to the tax preparer to enter the percentage of interest directly in the software. For example, for a joint investment of spouses, the tax preparer would enter 50%. The other spouse would also need to enter 50%.
T2202 Tuition Carryforward amounts:
Using Autofill will provide tuition carryforward amounts. However, if a person was issued a T2202 in a prior year, but they didn’t file a Schedule 11, then the tuition amount will not be included in the Autofill carryforward balance.
If a client failed to enter a T2202 in a prior year, do a T1 adjustment for that prior tax year and include a Schedule 11. A tuition amount must be used as soon as it is beneficial to do so. Therefore, depending on how long ago the T2202 was missed, further T1 adjustments may be necessary and some work would be involved to determine the carryforward amount for the current year.
What information is transmitted to the CRA when efiling?
Not all information entered into UFile, and not all the generated schedules and forms, are transmitted to the CRA upon efiling. The full scope of information transmitted to the CRA is not known because the CRA and tax software proprietors do not make this information publicly available.
References: