If you've recently incorporated a business or started earning self-employment income in Canada, one of the first administrative steps you'll need to take is learning how to register for a CRA account. Specifically, CRA My Business Account gives you secure online access to your company's tax information, filing obligations, and correspondence with the Canada Revenue Agency — all in one place. This guide walks you through every registration option, the steps involved, and what to do once your account is active.
The CRA offers two distinct online portals, and it's important not to confuse them.
My Account is for individuals. It lets you view your personal tax returns, RRSP contribution room, benefit payments, Notice of Assessment, and other personal tax information tied to your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
My Business Account is for business owners, corporations, and self-employed individuals. It lets you manage your company's CRA obligations, including corporate income tax, GST/HST, payroll deductions, and more. If you operate a business in Canada — incorporated or not — My Business Account is the portal you need.
You may end up using both portals depending on your situation. A sole proprietor, for example, files a personal T1 return that includes business income, so they'll use both My Account (for personal filings) and My Business Account (for their GST/HST account and payroll, if applicable).
You should register for My Business Account if you fall into any of the following categories:
Even if your business is small and your accountant handles most filings, having your own access to My Business Account gives you visibility into your obligations and ensures you can respond to CRA notices promptly.
Once registered, My Business Account gives you access to a broad range of functions:
Before you begin, gather the following:
This is the traditional route — you create a CRA-specific username and password directly on the CRA website.
Once complete, the CRA will send a security code to the address they have on file (either by mail or to your online inbox if you've previously enrolled). You'll need this code to activate the account the first time.
If you already use online banking in Canada, this is often the fastest way to register and sign in. The CRA partners with several major financial institutions, including TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, National Bank, Desjardins, and others.
The benefit here is that you don't need to remember a separate CRA username and password — your banking login handles authentication. Your actual banking information is never shared with the CRA; the Sign-In Partner system simply confirms your identity.
GCKey is a secure login service provided by the Government of Canada and is separate from both CRA credentials and banking credentials. It's a good option if you prefer to keep government accounts centralized.
A common source of registration errors is entering the Business Number incorrectly. Your BN is 9 digits (e.g., 123456789). However, when the CRA refers to specific accounts within your business, they append a 2-letter program identifier and a 4-digit reference number. For example:
When registering for My Business Account, you only enter the 9-digit BN — not the full program account number. Entering the full number, including the letters and reference digits, is one of the most common registration errors.
Another frequent issue is a mismatch between the personal information you enter (SIN, date of birth, postal code) and what the CRA has on file. If your address has changed recently or there's any discrepancy in CRA records, the system may reject your verification. In that case, contact the CRA's business enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525 to resolve the mismatch before attempting to register again.
Once your My Business Account is active, take these steps to set it up properly:
You can grant your accountant or bookkeeper access to your CRA account through the Authorize or Manage Representatives section. Representatives can be given Level 1 access (view only) or Level 2 access (view and act). At Swift Accounting Ltd. Calgary, we become an authorized representative for our clients, which allows us to file returns, view notices, and respond to CRA correspondence directly — saving you time and reducing the chance of missed deadlines. Learn more about how we can help on our tax services page.
Navigate to the direct deposit section and enter your business banking information. This ensures that any GST/HST refunds or other credits are deposited directly into your account rather than mailed as cheques, which can take significantly longer.
Under your account preferences, enrol in online mail. This means the CRA will deliver all notices, assessments, and correspondence to your secure My Business Account inbox instead of by postal mail. You'll receive an email notification when new mail arrives. This is especially useful for Alberta businesses, as it eliminates the risk of important CRA notices sitting unread in a physical mailbox.
Confirm that all relevant program accounts are visible under your BN — GST/HST, payroll (RP), and corporate income tax (RC) as applicable. If a program account is missing that you expect to see, contact the CRA to verify it was properly opened.
The online registration process takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes if you have all your information ready. However, if the CRA needs to mail you an activation code, you should allow 5 to 10 business days to receive it before your account becomes fully active. Using the Sign-In Partner option can sometimes bypass this delay.
No — you need a Business Number first. A BN is assigned automatically when you register a corporation with Corporations Canada or a provincial registry, or when you register for a CRA program account such as GST/HST or payroll. Once you have your BN, you can proceed with My Business Account registration.
Yes, registering for and using My Business Account is completely free. There is no fee from the CRA to access the portal, file returns online, or manage your account.
If the system cannot verify your identity, it typically means there is a mismatch between the information you've entered and what the CRA has on file. Double-check your SIN, date of birth, and the postal code associated with your personal tax account. If the issue persists, call the CRA business enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525 or visit the CRA website for guidance on updating your records before trying again.
Registering for CRA My Business Account is a straightforward process, but it's just the beginning of managing your business's relationship with the CRA. From corporate income tax filings and bookkeeping to strategic tax planning, staying on top of your obligations requires ongoing attention. If you'd rather focus on running your business, the team at Swift Accounting Ltd. Calgary is here to help. We'll handle the paperwork, stay current on CRA deadlines, and act as your authorized representative so nothing falls through the cracks. Contact us today to get started.
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