Is your CRA Account Locked? Find out everything you need to know

Is your CRA Account Locked? Find out everything you need to know
September 09, 2021
by admin
46

Having your CRA Account Locked can be very frustrating when trying to access your information.  Even the smallest of mistakes such as entering your password or user ID wrong a few times can create your account to be locked.  In the more recent months, the Canada Revenue Agency locked out almost 1 million online accounts due to a precautionary cybersecurity measure.  So now that your CRA Account is Locked, can you still file a tax return without that information?  This article will touch base on how you can get your account back up and running along with answers to being able to file a tax return even though you cannot access your My CRA Account.

Is your CRA Account Locked? 

If you are reading this article you probably experienced having your CRA Account Locked.  This can come from a few different issues and or errors when trying to login.  One common way to have your account locked is by not being able to enter your password correctly when trying to retrieve your account.  If you forgot your account password then there is a way to still be able to retrieve it still.  Follow our article on CRA Password Reset to help retrieve your password.  The other way to locking your account is if you also don't remember your User ID when trying to log in.  Both these ways are very common among many tax filers when trying to access your account.  

More recently The Canada Revenue Agency has locked out about 1 million online accounts due to security issues this past spring.  Their major concern was that some of these tax filers had their accounts obtained by third parties.  So by locking out all user accounts, it forced many people to have to contact the CRA to reset their passwords and user ID's.  As of the time of this article, those accounts are now all in the clear and solved.  If you have any issues in regards to your CRA Account Locked, let us know as Accufile is here to help.

 

What do I do to get my CRA Account Unlocked?

If your account is now locked from too many attempts to use your password and or user ID, the first recommendation by the CRA is to call them at 1-800-959-8281. They will be able to set you up with a new password to help you be able to reset and be able to log back into your account.

The other way in being able to log back in that many do not know is by using your BC Services Card details.  Of course this is only for British Columbians, but they have the ability to use their card information to be able to log back in.  

The third way that is very common is by logging in through your bank details.  Yes many think it is very strange that the CRA uses your bank login details to verify you.  However this is a very secure way of keeping your identity secure as you and only you know your account details.  When the Canada Revenue Agency directs you after your CRA Account Locked efforts are not working, choose the Sign In partner Login / Register in order to use your banking details to verify your identity.

During this time they will mail you a new unique password that you can use to get back into the system.  Yes the mail can be time consuming and can take approximately 10 days.

 

Can I file my tax return without logging into My CRA Account?

There are many ways you can still file a tax return without your information.  You may contact Accufile to have us file the return for you as we will be able to retrieve the important information we need to file your return.  We have the ability to request authority to access your account and as well be able to use the Auto-fill service.  Once we begin your tax return we will be able to complete using the information we need on file.  Take advantage of our online Certified Accountants today for only $25 per personal return.

 

How do I keep my information secure for the future?

Once you have your account back up after your CRA Account Locked, you will want to take certain measures to make sure that this does not happen again.  Here is a list to help:

 

  • Set up pin for your MY CRA Account
  • Monitor your CRA Account closely for any changes etc
  • Create unique passwords and change them every few months
  • Install software that removes viruses and malware from your computer
  • Sign up for CRA email notifications so that you are notified regularly

 

Taking these type of measures will help you stay on top of your account and watch for any suspicious activity.  Also keep your passwords and user ID's in a safe place so that you can locate them in the event of not being able to login.  Loosing your login details and having your CRA Account Locked keeps you from obtaining very important information.  These are the benefits of using your My CRA Account:

 

  • Retrieving your Notice of Assessment for banks, and credit 
  • Knowing your RRSP limit for when you need to invest
  • Locating missing T4's on your account
  • Viewing if your tax return has been filed and assessed

 

There are many other very important reasons to have a My CRA Account.  Any questions related to your tax return or looking to file a tax return do not hesitate to contact Accufile as we can help you keep on top at an affordable price.

Comments

  1. I do not have time to sit on the phone and wait 3 or 4 hours for an agent to be available. It definitely trying to assess my account

  1. Have not been able to get into my clients locked account - representative a client did not work. Can i submit my clients power of attorney - then can i represent him?

  1. You have failed to inform the locked out individual that it will take 10 days to mail you a new password. Have they not heard of a sacred phone call message?

  1. My account was locked out due to cyber security. When I called to have my account reactivated, I was told I had to do my 2018 income tax return first. I've finally completed and submitted my 2018 income tax return yesterday. Today, I have an email telling me my marital status has changed. This is the first time I've used an Accountant and I guess he was unaware that I am a widow so I'm assuming he put single. I called to have my account reactivated and I'm told I cannot access MyAccount until I complete my 2019, 2020, and 2021 taxes. This is ridiculous and makes NO sense. I should be able to go in and fix my martial status!

  1. For those who changed phone number also can not access the CRA account due to multi-factor authentication besides email passcode, it still need to ask for OTP sent to the old phone number.
    Any resolution to this problem is greatly appreciated.

  1. I have been locked out of my account since the first cerb ended. I tried applying for the second round crb but was told my account was breached. I was then locked out. No matter how many agents and hours spent talking to myltiple sometimes up to 4 agents was denied access into my account. No matter how much of my information I had in hand. Then given a big list of items I had to send in and fax. To prove my identity. Please tell me what to do. Ive had a very difficult time this pandemic. Not being able to receive any of the benefits has made me honeless forcing me to move back home. Ha.what a joke. But that is how things happened.

  1. CRA refuses to unlock my wife's account because I made an error when trying to teach her how the system. She immigrated to Canada 3 years. So far I have made 8 attempts to different agents. They have told me.
    1) Supervisor will call me never happened
    2) A letter sent to my wife explaining what CRA wants. never got it
    3) Someone from CRA will call to my wife. Never happened
    4) They have stopped all communicated to her email address. Yep
    5) Unable to make direct deposit to her account.. In her email she received about 10 attempts to record a direct deposit account.
    Wassup with that?

  1. I went through my bank and I still got srror err.019

  1. I need help unlocking my acct. I have been on hold on the phone

  1. Why is CRA asking a Security Question with no answer? The question was never answered. I have 5 recorded answers for different questions. Now it is locked!

  1. …my account has locked me out : it indicates from too many wrong attempts
    …. Also I have not logged in to my CRA Account for a long time

    ….. can I unlock my account on line some way

  1. Dear Madam -Sir,
    A. Your fee for filing of a return of CAD 25 is fine and I would be happy to use your service.
    B. I had been trying to get on line access to MyAccount -Individual since Jan 2018. In March of this year I finally got access with help from CRA staff.
    C. Jun 20, 2022 I got as far as the passcode grid. The onetime passcodes from the table didn't work. It generated a new passcode table but the passcodes from it aren't working either.
    D. I am a non-resident Canadian, living full time in Pakistan. Male (72) file joint return with wife. She is housewife with no income. I receive CPP, OAS, and Social Security benefits (Direct deposited to my US$ account in US.
    E. Do you only file tax returns or can you help with straightening out my return for (2019, 2020, & 2021, after reviewing the file) naturally for additional compensation.
    F. Do you accept Visa Debit card? . Thank you very much.

  1. My account is locked. And I can't get anything from my phone

  1. My account is locked because I answered wrong for the security question and I just realized what I did wrong

  1. My business account is locked
    I need. An import certificate for goods I am importing
    They say I cannot get it as there is a problem with my account
    I spent almost 3=hr talking to cra and got no where
    Can you help

  1. Locked out of my account and will not accept attempts to reactivate. Help

  1. Will I still get gst if locked self out cra account

  1. I cannot get into either my personal CRA account or business account. Not sure why this has happened. Why do I need to choose pictures - it is much simpler texting me a code when attempting to log on. I need to pay my CRA payroll and file my GST and I can't do it now from the business site.

  1. Whenever I try to call the CRA number, my cell phone cuts me off before anyone can answer. Is there anyway to contact CRA by email?

  1. I need access to my CRA account so I can see about my balance owing for cerb .

  1. I had used the sign in partner and it worked and then went to a page asking for me to receive a message to a number not on my file any longer.
    Not in my banks or my cra account.. I dont have the number. Then it locked me out.

  1. I don't understand where I am supposed to get the one time passcode for my cra account....I am trying to set one up. I have no pass code.

  1. Tried to log on to My CRA account. Failed. Call CRA. They mail me a security code.
    Tried to log on to My CRA account. Failed with err 0.029. CRA never asked me for the security code.

  1. Unable to get into my individual account. I use my sign in partner but I cannot get any further to enter my account.

  1. I am trying to log in to my service account to get a copy of my t4 for my cpp
    But for some reason it will not let me and it revokes me

  1. Need netfile code and when I go to netfile it’s says locked

  1. I’ve been locked out of my account for 1 year now, and I’ve only had the account for 1.3 years but trying to get through to anyone at CRA is impossible and I just don’t have the patients for it.

  1. I telephoned CRA when my answer to enter my file was not accepted and my CRA file was locked.
    I was informed that a new code will be sent to me by poste.
    I am waiting on my new code to arrive in poste. Of course, have not received as yet.
    Why can't I just get an entry to my CRA account on the telephone, as I provided secure information to the operator on the telephone?

  1. I am trying to find out if my Disability Tac Credit application?

  1. Err 221 Me and spouse cannot access our CRA account. Waited on phone for 3 hours. Worst service in federal government

  1. I need a passcode BADLY I CANNOT see anything personal....

  1. the passcode grid does not expire till october 2024 yet it says expired. what to do?

  1. Locked from my account.and on hold waiting forever for tax agent . .called early this morning.

  1. I accidentally requested a security code, so I have to wait for it to be mailed , until then I have limited acces and can’t get my T5 info.

  1. My cra account is locked. I have. Spoken to agents at least 4 times and answered their questions but the call hangs up each time. I am trying to pay my balance owing but I can't access my account

  1. I have tried several times to contact CRA by phone at the number you have indicated and, after going through a number of messages and prompta, choosing my department & giving personally information such as my SIN, I get shut down approximately 10 minutes into the call. Now what?

  1. I am locked out of my account. Answered a security question wrong too many times. I have tried contact many times through the 1 800 959 8281, but wait times are unreasonably long..up to 2 hours.

  1. My account is locked. I can’t speak and I can’t find anyone to stay on the phone for 2 hours or so. How do I get pass this problem?

  1. Haven't gotten any gst or climate deposits from 2022 or 2023 an my cra account is locked was wondering why

  1. when filing my income tax with ufile at the end when wanting to send it it says account blocked<a
    also there is a not that not all question had been answered <
    but we went an looked at it 3 times the wife and i and we could not come up
    with where the problem was so what do i do know to fix the problem we did call
    car waited 20 minutes on the line and the person did not know what to do
    and said to wait while he would talk to his superior but finally the
    line got cut off.

  1. I can not netfile my return because my account is locked. How to unlock?

  1. Hi,
    In 2023 I could not log into My Account when using VPN (in 2022 I have logged in without a problem), when I have turn off the VPN (in 2023 and 2024), I could to log in (repeatedly), but I didn't have access to my account information and services (seeing my assessment ,sending forms online).
    Missing the Security Code was the problem (not having full access)..
    Originally I have received info that the Security Code will be delivered into my email (the one I have registered with CRA) within two weeks, but nothing came half an year later (I have repeated my request, to obtain the Security Code, several times later).
    I have received several letters from CRA, but not any comment or explanation re My Account problem or a penalty I was asked to pay in 2023.
    Note: My communication with tax services in Quebec, online, went twice last year without a problem.
    Thanks for your time and help.

  1. Forgot the answers to my security questions. How on earth can I get this fixed. Been trying for months....

  1. I am locked out of my account. Please assist me so I can file asap. I am sorry to be late but was in the hospital in the midst of trying to file. Thank you for your help. The first late filing since I started paying taxes in 1951.

  1. My phone number has changed. When I wish to log in it tells me CRA will send a code to my phone number. Since the number CRA has is no longer in service this can't be accomplished. What should I do?

  1. How can I speak to an agent to get my assessment notice. I cannot get into cra with my bank card due to my return being changed at cra ??? I have tried for several days now.