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How to Create a CRA Account

What is CRA Account?

CRA Account is a secure online portal offered by the Canada Revenue Agency. It allows individuals to manage taxes, benefits, and credits and it lets business owners, partners, or directors view and manage GST/HST, payroll, and corporate taxes.

I do not have a CRA Account
I already have a CRA Account, and I just need to add my Business

Please note that the step-by-step guide provided below is current as of May 20, 2025. As the CRA website is subject to change, some steps may vary over time. If you encounter any difficulties creating your account or adding a business, please don’t hesitate to contact Stark & Marsh for assistance

 

Step 1: Ensure You Have What You Need

Before registering, make sure you have:

  • Your Business Number (BN) from CRA (e.g., 123456789 RT0001) if applicable
  • Your SIN (Social Insurance Number)
  • Your postal code or ZIP code
  • An amount from one of your recent tax returns (for identity verification)
  • One piece of government issued ID with your picture on it such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Smart phone to take a picture

Step 2: Go to the CRA My Account Portal

Visit:
🔗 CRA My Account Login and Registration

Click “Register for a CRA Account”  

Step 3: Choose How to Sign In

There are two ways to access your CRA Account:

Option A: Sign-In Partner

Use your online banking credentials from participating financial institutions. This is quick and doesn’t require creating a new CRA ID.

Option B: CRA User ID and Password

If you don’t use Sign-In Partner, create a CRA user ID and password.

Step 4: Provide Business and Personal Information

You’ll need to provide:

  • Your Business Number (BN) if applicable
  • Your SIN and date of birth
  • Your postal code
  • Information from your personal tax return (e.g., amount from Line 15000 of your most recent return)

Step 5: Set Up Your CRA User Profile (if applicable)

If you chose the CRA login method, you’ll need to:

  • Create a user ID and password
  • Set up security questions and answers
  • Choose preferred language (English or French)

Step 6: Verify your identity

You will choose an option to verify your identity:

Option 1 – Submit a photo of yourself and your ID document.  Use a mobile device to take a real-time picture of yourself and an accepted identification document:

  • Your Canadian Passport
  • Your Canadian Driver’s License
  • Your provincial or territorial photo ID card

This service verifies your identity immediately.

Option 2 – CRA will mail a security code to your personal address on file (not email). This may take 5–10 business days.

Once you receive it:

  1. Return to the CRA login page.
  2. Log in with your credentials.
  3. Enter the security code when prompted.

Only after this step will you have full access to your CRA Account.

Step 7: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

To protect your account, CRA requires you to enroll in MFA:

  • Choose to receive codes via SMS, email, or an authenticator app
  • This is mandatory for login moving forward

Step 8: Add Your Business

If you’re logging in through your CRA account and you simply need to add a business, you can:

  • Sign into your CRA Account
  • Top right hand corner select your Profile Name and from the drop down select Add Account > Business Account > Add Business Number

In this section, you may add one or multiple businesses, depending on your circumstances. Each business that has been assigned a Business Number (BN) should be included here.

Enable Email Notifications

If you would like to receive an email each time a new item is added to your My Account profile visit Profile, select “Notification preferences” choose “Email notifications” and follow the instructions.

Note: You can customize the email preferences for each CRA profile individually — whether it’s your personal account, a business account, or multiple business accounts associated with your CRA access. Each profile allows you to set a unique email address for notifications, tailored specifically to that account’s correspondence. Follow this step in each profile you would like to edit.

Authorize a Representative

To allow Stark & Marsh to manage to access tax information:

  1. Go to “Manage Authorized Representatives”
  2. Enter BN number 136749900
  3. Choose which services they can access (e.g., GST/HST, payroll)

You’re All Set with your CRA My Account!

You now have access to tools and services including:

  • Viewing balances and transactions
  • Submitting tax returns
  • Adjusting previously filed returns
  • Managing direct deposit

Questions? Reach out to Stark & Marsh and we can help.

FAQ’s

1. I already have a CRA account using a Sign-In Partner or CRA user ID. Can I register again with different credentials?

No. If you’ve already registered for My Account, My Business Account, or Represent a Client using a CRA user ID and password or through a Sign-In Partner, you must continue to use those same credentials. Creating a duplicate account is not permitted.

2. Can I use the same CRA login for both my personal and business accounts?

Yes. You can access both your personal and business CRA accounts using the same login credentials. However, you must register your Business Number (BN) separately under My Business Account after logging in.

3. I don’t have a Business Number (BN). Can I still register for My Business Account?

No. A Business Number is required to access CRA’s My Business Account. If your business does not yet have a BN, you must first register for one through the CRA or your provincial business registry.

4. What if I forget my CRA user ID or password?

If you registered using a CRA user ID and password, you can recover your credentials through the CRA login page by selecting “Forgot user ID” or “Forgot password.” If you used a Sign-In Partner, you must recover your credentials through your financial institution.

5. How long does it take to receive the CRA security code by mail?

If you choose mail verification, it typically takes 5 to 10 business days to receive your CRA security code. You won’t have full access to your CRA account until the code is entered.

6. Do I need to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)?

Yes. CRA requires multi-factor authentication for all accounts. You can choose to receive MFA codes via SMS, email, or an authenticator app. This is mandatory for account access.

7. Can I add multiple businesses under one CRA login?

Yes. You may add multiple businesses under one CRA login. Each business must have its own Business Number (BN) and must be added individually via the Add Account > Business Account option.

8. Can I receive email notifications for new CRA correspondence?

Yes. You can enable email notifications by visiting your Profile, selecting Notification preferences, and choosing Email notifications. This can be configured separately for each CRA profile (personal, business, or multiple business accounts).

9. How do I authorize someone to access or manage my business CRA account?

To authorize a representative (e.g., an accountant or bookkeeper):

  • Go to “Manage Authorized Representatives”
  • Provide their Rep ID or Business Number
  • Select the specific services they are permitted to access (e.g., GST/HST, payroll)
10. What services are available once I’m fully registered?

Once registered and verified, you can:

  • View account balances and transactions
  • File and adjust tax returns (e.g., GST/HST, corporate, payroll)
  • Set up or change direct deposit
  • Communicate securely with CRA
  • Authorize representatives
  • View correspondence and statements
CRA Business Correspondence is Going Digital

CRA Business Correspondence is Going Digital

CRA Business Correspondence is Going Digital The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is transitioning away from sending paper mail to business clients with a CRA Business Number. This change does not pertain to Personal Tax clients who do not have a CRA business number....

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