Procedure to download T2 tax data from the CRA

The below procedure is in accordance with CRA's prescribed rules and regulations relating to their tax data delivery service (T2 Auto-fill).

Before attempting a download, make sure that you are aware of the requirements. These can be found in the "What you will need to use this service" section of the CRA T2 Auto-fill knowledge base page.

Note: You must close all instances of Internet Explorer that you have running before attempting the download.

A client can be selected via the Data Entry screen or the Client List screen.

Selecting a client via the Data Entry

1. In the Client List screen, select the client for which you want to do the download.

2. Go to the Data Entry screen.

3. In the right-hand side display drop-down menu, choose "CRA T2 Auto-fill".

   

4. Follow the steps outlined below in the section "Downloading data from the CRA".

5. The downloaded data will be displayed on the right-hand side of the Data Entry screen.

   Note: If you changed the right-hand side display option to something else, and wish to see the already downloaded data again, see the section below entitled "View previously downloaded CRA data".

   

6. Mark the items that you want to update as follows:

   • Mark (or unmark) single items of data by moving the cursor (selector bar) to that item, holding down the [Ctrl] key and clicking the left mouse button.

   • Mark blocks (in groups) by pressing [F5] on the first item of the group, scrolling down to the last item, and pressing [F5] again. Remove marks either by clicking the right mouse button and choosing Clear marks, or by pressing [Alt+F5].

7. Select "Copy to left-hand side" from the menu which appears when right-clicking in the Data Entry screen.

8. You can view the T2 Return by going to the end of the keyword group T2-Autofill.

   

9. The keyword Return-FileName contains the path of the archived file of the T2 Return.

   

10. Click on the icon at the end of the path to display it.

    

11. The T2 Return will be displayed in your web browser.

    

Selecting a client via the Client List

1. In the Client List screen, select the client for which you want to do the download.

   A client can be selected by positioning the cursor on that client.

2. Select CRA T2 Auto-fill from the Efile menu...

   

   OR, click the CRA T2 Auto-fill icon on the Client List toolbar.

   

3. Follow the steps outlined below in the section "Downloading data from the CRA".

Downloading data from the CRA

1. A window will open that lists the name and business number of the selected corporation.

   

2. Click the "Retrieve information" button at the bottom of the window to start the download process.

   Your web browser will open the CRA's login page.

3. To access the site, select one of the following methods:

   • Use the same CRA user ID and password that you would use to log in to the CRA's "Represent a Client" page.

   • Log in via one of the CRA's sign-in partners using the same sign-in information you would normally use for that online service (e.g., online banking).

   Note: You will only be able to access data for those clients who have previously given you access. This can be done by completing and filing a RC59 form for each client or by having your clients sign-in to the CRA's "My Business Account" service and use the "Authorize my representative" option. For more information on both of these methods, see the CRA's About Represent a Client web page (in particular, see items 5 and 6). Just sending in a RC59 may not be enough. There are several specific requirements. For example, you must "Register your Business Number (BN) with the Represent a Client service before your client submits Form RC59".

4. For the first sign-in only, you will have to agree to the CRA's terms and conditions of use.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

   Note: If you get error message number 00012, it means that the time/date is not set correctly on your computer.

6. Once the download process starts, you will be logged out of the CRA's site, and any web pages opened during the process will be automatically closed.*

7. The Results log window will open and show the progress of the download.

   Note: If any problems occur during the download, they will be displayed in this window.

   

8. After the download has completed, click the Close button to close the Results log window.

*CRA requirement.

View previously downloaded CRA data

1. In the Client List screen, select the desired client.

2. Go to the Data Entry screen.

3. In the right-hand side display drop-down menu, choose CRA T2 Auto-fill.

4. In the CRA data retrieval window, choose Use previously retrieved data and click OK.

   

5. Follow steps 6 & 7 as outlined above in the section Selecting a client via the Data Entry if necessary.

Update data from the CRA again

Not all data is necessarily available at the CRA at the same time. Because of this, you may want to download the data again to get the latest information. To do this, just repeat the same process (either via the Data Entry screen or the Client List screen).

Note: If you wish to select a client via the Data Entry again, after step 3, the CRA data retrieval window will open. Choose Update from CRA again and click OK.