Create Your CRA My Account: Complete Setup Guide

Do you have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) online account? While it’s not required, a CRA account makes managing your tax and benefit information much easier and more convenient.

The CRA is Canada’s federal tax authority, responsible for administering income taxes, benefit programs and related incentives on behalf of the Government of Canada and most provinces and territories. Its online sign-in services provide secure access to many transactions and records that used to require phone calls or mailed requests.

Collectively known as CRA sign-in services, the online accounts let you view and manage personal tax details, business accounts and, with authorization, other people’s tax affairs. There is no fee to register for any of the available services.

What you can do with a CRA account

Using a CRA account saves time and gives you immediate access to up-to-date information. Instead of waiting on hold or mailing forms, you can review and act on tax matters from your computer or mobile device.

The CRA offers three primary sign-in services:

1. My Account for individuals: A secure portal for managing your personal income tax and benefit information. With My Account you can check the status of tax refunds and benefit payments, make payments to the CRA, update contact or banking information, obtain a notice of assessment (NOA) or other proof of income, and more. Online transactions are processed immediately so records stay current. You can also update direct deposit information for faster receipt of refunds and benefits. The CRA is trialing an online chat service with live agents inside My Account.
2. My Business Account for self-employed Canadians and business owners: This service provides secure electronic access for managing business-related accounts, including GST/HST, payroll withholdings, corporate income tax, excise duties and other obligations. Actions completed in My Business Account are processed right away so your business records reflect the latest activity.
3. Represent a Client: A secure portal that allows authorized representatives—such as family members, friends or professional advisors—to manage tax, trust or business information on someone else’s behalf. Before you can use this service you must be authorized by the person or organization you represent.

How to create your CRA account

Before you start registering, gather the documents and details you’ll need. Typical requirements include:

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or an accepted alternative such as a temporary tax number (TTN), individual tax number (ITN), or non-resident representative number (NRRN) if registering for Represent a Client
• Your date of birth
• The amounts shown on your most recent filed and assessed tax return (from the current or previous tax year)
• Your nine-digit business number if you’re registering for My Business Account
• An accepted photo ID (Canadian passport, driver’s licence or provincial/territorial photo ID) if you plan to use the document verification service

Next, visit the CRA sign-in services registration page and choose which account you want to open: My Account for individuals, My Business Account, or Represent a Client. Follow the prompts to begin registration.

Choose a sign-in option for your new CRA account

When you register you’ll pick a sign-in method, and that same method will be used each time you log in. The main options are:

• Sign-In Partner: Use your existing online banking credentials from one of the CRA’s participating banks, credit unions and fintech partners. This lets you sign in with the same credentials you already use for your financial institution’s online services.
• CRA user ID and password: Create a unique CRA username and password specifically for CRA sign-in services. Note that the GCKey used for many federal government sites is not accepted for CRA sign-in.

How to verify your identity

To fully activate your CRA account you must verify your identity. There are two common ways to do this:

• Wait for a mailed security code from the CRA, which can take up to 10 business days. Enter the code online before it expires to gain full access; until then, access will be limited.
• Use the CRA’s document verification service by submitting a photo of yourself holding an accepted ID. This option can provide faster full access and is available to users aged 16 and over.

For added security, enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA). With MFA you’ll supply a one-time passcode along with your password each time you sign in. Passcodes can be delivered by phone or email, by a passcode grid, or generated by an authenticator app.

Choose a strong, unique user ID and password that are easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Avoid using personal information like your name or SIN. Never share your credentials.

What to do if you forget your CRA login

If you forget your CRA user ID or password you can recover them online. For a lost user ID, select the “CRA user ID and password” option on the sign-in page and click “Forgot your user ID?” You’ll be asked to provide your SIN, date of birth and amounts from your most recent assessed tax return, and to answer the security questions set up during registration.

If you forget your password, choose the same sign-in option and select “Forgot your password?” Provide your CRA user ID and answer the security questions to set a new password.

Why register for a CRA account

Registering for a CRA account streamlines tax and benefit management. It lets you check refund status, update banking information for direct deposit, view notices of assessment, and manage business tax obligations securely online. Direct deposit can also speed up receipt of payments and reduce delays caused by mail disruptions.

Whether you’re tracking personal tax returns, handling a small business account, or acting on behalf of someone else, a CRA sign-in service makes it easier to complete transactions, keep records current and access support options when needed. Consider creating an account today to take advantage of these secure online services.

More about Canadian taxes:

• How to file your taxes online in Canada
• Canada’s income tax brackets and the maximum tax by income
• What retirees need to know about tax brackets for upcoming years
• Details on climate-related incentive payments
• How to determine your RRSP contribution limit