Federal · Taxes & CRA · Difficulty: Moderate
Register as the legal representative with the CRA
Before the CRA will discuss the deceased’s tax affairs, the executor must be recorded as the legal representative and notify the CRA of the date of death.
Who usually needs this
- Executor
- Personal representative
When to review
First month
Documents commonly needed
- Death certificate
- Will or grant of probate/administration
- Government ID
Life Steward does not collect or store these documents.
Common issues
- CRA processing can take weeks; start early.
- Uncashed refunds, benefits, and instalments all route through the representative.
Official sources
- CRA: Represent someone who died (Official government source)
Last reviewed 2026-07-10
The Life Steward Resource Centre is provided for general information and navigation only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, medical, or professional advice. Confirm current requirements and deadlines with the appropriate organization or professional before acting.