CRA My Account & My Business Account: Complete Guide

The Canada Revenue Agency's online portals — My Account (for individuals) and My Business Account (for businesses) — give you direct access to your tax information without calling the CRA. You can check your Notice of Assessment, view RRSP room, pay balances, file GST/HST returns, manage payroll accounts, and set up direct deposit for refunds — all without leaving your browser.

This guide explains how to register, what each portal does, and how to use both effectively.

My Account vs. My Business Account: What's the Difference?

Portal	Who Uses It	What You Can Do
My Account	Individuals (personal SIN)	View T4s, NOAs, RRSP room; file T1; track refund; update address; set up direct deposit
My Business Account	Business owners (Business Number)	View/file GST/HST, payroll, corporate tax; pay balances; manage accounts; authorize representatives
Represent a Client	Tax professionals	Access client My Account / My Business Account with authorized access

How to Register for My Account

1. Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account
2. Select "My Account" and choose your sign-in method: Sign-In Partner (use your bank's online login — available for RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, and others) or CRA user ID and password
3. If creating a CRA ID: enter your SIN, date of birth, and current postal code. The CRA will mail you a security code (takes 5–10 business days)
4. Once registered, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) — required since 2023

The Sign-In Partner method (using your bank login) is faster — no waiting for a mailed code.

How to Register for My Business Account

1. Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account and select "My Business Account"
2. Enter your Business Number (BN), your SIN or business officer's SIN, and your corporate postal code
3. The CRA mails a security code to the address on file — arrives in 5–10 business days
4. Enter the code to activate the account

Key Features of My Business Account

GST/HST Returns

File your GST34 return directly in My Business Account. You can also view previously filed returns, see your account balance, and make payments. Filing online is mandatory for businesses with annual revenues over $1.5 million.

Payroll Account

View payroll remittance history, see amounts owing, and access PD7A remittance vouchers. The CRA also uses this section to notify you of payroll audits or discrepancies.

Corporate Tax Account

View your T2 returns (filed by your CPA), see instalments paid vs. owing, and access Notices of Assessment for your corporation.

Direct Deposit

Set up direct deposit for GST/HST refunds and corporate tax refunds. This is significantly faster than waiting for a cheque — refunds can arrive within 2–3 weeks of filing instead of 6–8 weeks.

Pay a Balance Owing

Pay corporate tax, GST/HST, or payroll remittances directly from My Business Account using online banking (by saving the CRA as a payee) or by selecting "Make a Payment" and using your bank's bill payment. Never mail a cheque if you're close to a deadline — banking payments are same-day or next-day.

My Account: What Individuals Use It For

• Notice of Assessment: View your NOA online within 2 weeks of filing — no waiting for the paper version. See our guide on Understanding Your Notice of Assessment.
• RRSP room: Check exactly how much you can contribute this year — the CRA calculates it from all prior years' returns.
• Tax slips: View T4, T4A, T3, T5, and other slips issued in your name — useful if you can't find paper copies.
• Track your refund: See when your return is being processed and when the refund is issued.
• File your T1: File directly through NETFILE-certified software linked to My Account, or use the CRA's own free filing tool for simple returns.