CRA My Business Account: How to Register, Login & Guide

If you’re running a Canadian business—or thinking about starting one—there’s a good chance you’ll need to deal with the Canada Revenue Agency at some point. The CRA’s My Business Account portal lets you file returns, check balances, and manage your business tax accounts without picking up the phone.

Provider: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Access Type: Online portal · Primary Phone: 1-800-959-8281 · Business Focus: Business accounts interaction · Registration Req.: Business Number (BN)

The table below consolidates the key official contact points, registration details, and operational parameters you need to know before logging in.

What is a My Canada business account?

CRA My Business Account is the Canada Revenue Agency’s official online portal designed for business owners to manage their tax obligations digitally. It’s part of a broader family of CRA digital services that also includes My Account for individuals and Represent a Client for tax professionals.

Through the portal, business owners can view account balances, file various tax returns, make payments, and set up direct deposit for refunds. The service connects to CRA’s Business Registration Online system, meaning everything from getting a Business Number to managing program accounts happens in one place.

What sets My Business Account apart from the personal My Account is its focus on business-specific tax matters: GST/HST filings, payroll accounts, corporate income tax, and excise duties where applicable. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations each use the same portal with access tailored to their entity type.

Overview from Canada.ca

The CRA describes the portal as “the quickest and most secure way” to handle business tax affairs online. Since November 2025, the agency has shifted all new Business Number and program account registrations exclusively to the digital Business Registration Online channel, meaning the online portal is now the default entry point for any new Canadian business.

Key features

• View business notices and account balances in real time
• File GST/HST returns, corporate income tax, and payroll forms
• Make payments via online banking, credit card, or pre-authorized debit
• Set up direct deposit for business refunds
• Manage multiple CRA program accounts from a single dashboard
• Authorize accountants or representatives via Represent a Client

The implication is that the CRA has made its online portal the de facto standard for all new business tax interactions, so learning the system early prevents future friction.

What is the difference between my account and my business account?

The distinction comes down to who you are and what you need to manage. CRA My Account is built for individuals—filing personal income tax, checking RRSP contributions, updating personal information. CRA My Business Account targets business entities: sole proprietors, partners, and corporations handling business-related tax accounts.

For sole proprietors, the line can blur slightly since your personal tax return and business income are reported together. However, you’ll still need a Business Number and program accounts (like GST/HST) to handle business-specific obligations, and those live in My Business Account.

Personal My Account vs My Business Account

The table below breaks down the functional differences between the personal and business versions of CRA’s online accounts.

What this means is that sole proprietors who eventually need a BN and program accounts must migrate to My Business Account—the personal version simply won’t support business-specific filings.

Use cases

• My Account: Check your personal tax refund, update your address, view T4 slips from employers, manage RRSP room
• My Business Account: Register a new BN, file HST returns, manage payroll deductions, view corporate tax assessments, set up direct deposit for business refunds

If you’re a sole proprietor who hasn’t registered for GST/HST and doesn’t have employees, you may interact with CRA primarily through My Account for personal tax. But once your business grows to require a BN and program accounts, My Business Account becomes the hub.

How do I register for CRA My Business Account?

Registration involves two main steps: securing a Business Number if you don’t already have one, then linking that BN to your CRA online account. The CRA has moved this process entirely online as of November 2025.

Gather requirements

Before starting, collect the following: your 9-digit Business Number, Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, postal code, and amounts from your most recent assessed tax return filed within the last two years. If you’re registering as a sole proprietor, your SIN serves as your identifier. Corporations will need their incorporation number instead.

For those without a SIN—non-residents filing Canadian-source income— you’ll need a Temporary Tax Number (TTN), Individual Tax Number (ITN), or Non-Resident Tax Number (NRRN) to proceed. Non-residents must first submit Form RC391 to obtain an NRRN before registering online.

Step-by-step process

1. Visit the registration page: Go to canada.ca and navigate to CRA Sign-In Services, then select “Register.” You’ll need to choose between a CRA user ID/password or a Sign-In Partner (your bank or credit union credentials).
2. Verify your identity: The CRA will ask for your SIN, date of birth, postal code, and specific amounts from your most recent tax return. These are the figures you initially reported, not any amended amounts.
3. Add your Business Number: If you already have a BN, enter it here. If not, you’ll be directed to Business Registration Online to obtain one first.
4. Receive your security code: By default, CRA mails a security code to the address on file—this takes 5 to 10 business days.
5. Set up Multi-Factor Authentication: Once your identity is confirmed, enable MFA for added security on future logins.

What this means is that businesses delaying BN registration past November 2025 will face a fully digital process with no phone fallback—preparing now sidesteps the learning curve.

Need Business Number

If you don’t yet have a Business Number, you’ll obtain one through Business Registration Online before linking it to your CRA account. BRO is accessible 24 hours a day except for a daily maintenance window from 3 to 6 AM ET.

The process involves confirming your identity, selecting the program accounts you need (GST/HST, payroll, corporate tax, etc.), and providing your business details. Once CRA processes your application, your BN and program accounts are activated—typically faster than mailing a paper Form RC1.

If your postal code isn’t accepted in BRO, the fallback is submitting Form RC1 by mail to request a BN and program accounts. This route takes longer, which is why the online path is preferred.

“Starting November 3, 2025, registrations for new business number (BN) or Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) program accounts must be done online.” — Canada Revenue Agency, Official Announcement

How do I access CRA My Business Account?

Once registered, accessing your account is straightforward. You can sign in through CRA’s login portal using either CRA’s own credentials or through a Sign-In Partner—your bank or credit union that participates in the federal digital identity program.

Login steps

• Go to the CRA login page: Navigate to canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/cra-login-services.html
• Choose your sign-in method: Select “Sign-In Partner” to use your bank’s login (typically faster) or “CRA user ID” to log in with credentials you created during registration
• Complete authentication: Depending on your method, you may need to enter additional verification sent to your email or phone
• Access your dashboard: Once logged in, you’ll see your business accounts, recent activity, and available services

Sign in portal

The CRA’s Sign-In Services page is the central hub for all CRA online accounts. One login now grants access to My Account, My Business Account, and Represent a Client—meaning you don’t need separate credentials for personal and business matters.

If you’ve lost access to your CRA account, the recovery process involves re-registering from scratch. There’s no automated “forgot password” flow for CRA user IDs, so keeping your login credentials secure is important.

CRA registration sessions expire after 18 minutes of inactivity—a security measure that means you’ll need to re-enter information if you step away mid-form. Save your progress outside the browser if you’re working through lengthy applications.

How do I contact CRA for My Business Account?

For general business enquiries, the CRA’s main business phone line is 1-800-959-8281. This line handles GST/HST inquiries, corporate tax questions, payroll accounts, and most business-related tax matters.

Phone numbers

Best methods

Phone wait times vary, and the CRA has been directing callers to online self-service wherever possible. For routine tasks—checking a balance, updating direct deposit info, filing a return—My Business Account is faster than waiting on hold. For complex situations or disputes, speaking with an agent may still be necessary.

The CRA’s online contact form is another option for non-urgent matters. You can submit enquiries through the portal and receive a response by mail or email, depending on your preferences set in your profile.

Contacts page

All CRA contact options are listed on the official Contacts page at canada.ca. For Represent a Client access (if you’re an accountant handling client accounts), the CRA also has dedicated lines for tax professional enquiries.

“The document verification service allows users to verify their identity and obtain immediate access to their account without having to wait for a CRA security code by mail, which can take up to 10 business days.” — Canada Revenue Agency, Digital Services Update

Related reading: Royal Bank Sign In · Gold Price in Canada

Canadian entrepreneurs managing taxes online will find the CRA My Business Account guide particularly useful for mirroring registration and login steps with official CRA processes.

Frequently asked questions