Estate and trust

Hi Everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone has encountered challenges when trying to obtain CRA authorization for a deceased individual.

I recently attempted to use the new online method via CRA Represent a Client ("RAC") to gain authorization for a client's estate. Despite submitting the will and death certificate through RAC about five weeks ago, the system is rejecting the legal representative's information as invalid.

I've heard from other professionals that CRA may no longer process legal representative updates unless the documentation is submitted directly by the legal representative themselves. In our case, the legal representative is 93 years old, which makes this requirement quite impractical.

Has anyone been able to confirm this change in CRA's process? Or seen any official communication from CRA outlining this policy? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Ergi Thodhori, CPA
Senior Analyst, National Tax
Doane Grant Thornton LLP.
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I am not aware of CRA changing the process for updating the legal representative information - and they have not communicated any change to my knowledge. I have, however, heard from colleagues that lately CRA is taking a long time to process the documents. 

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Maureen Vance
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-08-2025 15:58
From: Ergi Thodhori
Subject: CRA Authorization for Deceased Individual

Hi Everyone,

I'm reaching out to see if anyone has encountered challenges when trying to obtain CRA authorization for a deceased individual.

I recently attempted to use the new online method via CRA Represent a Client ("RAC") to gain authorization for a client's estate. Despite submitting the will and death certificate through RAC about five weeks ago, the system is rejecting the legal representative's information as invalid.

I've heard from other professionals that CRA may no longer process legal representative updates unless the documentation is submitted directly by the legal representative themselves. In our case, the legal representative is 93 years old, which makes this requirement quite impractical.

Has anyone been able to confirm this change in CRA's process? Or seen any official communication from CRA outlining this policy? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Ergi Thodhori, CPA
Senior Analyst, National Tax
Doane Grant Thornton LLP.
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