CRA adds optional sign-in step to protect online tax filing

By Your Southwest Media Group

Officials have decided to improve the security of online tax returns by adding a new authentication step, starting in late February, for people signing in to their Canada Revenue Agency accounts.

"While this step is optional, completing it adds an extra layer of security by verifying that you are filing or adjusting a tax return for yourself or are authorized to file or adjust a tax return on behalf of another individual," an agency statement said.

"The new authentication step is designed to make filing your taxes online safer and more secure, whether you're filing for yourself, making changes to a previous return or helping someone else," the statement said. Besides improving security, it also prevents fraud, the agency added.

Individuals and authorized representatives can use the NetFile software service "to authenticate yourself by signing in to your CRA account," it said. The manoeuvre "confirms your identity and verifies that you are filing a return for yourself or are authorized to file on behalf of another individual," the statement said. People who've never filed a return before may also use NetFile.

Tax preparers and E-file users may also choose to authenticate themselves by signing in to their CRA accounts. It confirms their identities as those "initiating the filing transaction," the statement said, adding, "It does not require you to be an authorized representative of the taxpayer."