CRA My Account is the Canada Revenue Agency's secure online portal for individual taxpayers. Once registered, you have 24/7 access to virtually everything the CRA knows about your tax situation — eliminating most reasons to call the CRA's notoriously busy phone lines.
Two Ways to Register for CRA My Account
Option 1: CRA User ID and Password
This is the traditional registration method. Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account, select "CRA register", and provide:
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your date of birth
- Your current postal code
- Information from your most recent T1 return (line 15000 total income or line 12100 investment income)
The CRA mails a security code to your registered mailing address within 5–10 business days. Enter the code online to complete registration. Note: you cannot change your mailing address before registration is complete.
Option 2: Sign-In Partner (Instant Access)
If you bank with RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, Desjardins, or another participating institution, you can log in to My Account instantly using your personal online banking username and password. No security code mailing required. This is the fastest option for most Canadians — it does not give the CRA access to your banking, it only uses your bank as an identity verification method.
Key Features Every Taxpayer Should Use
RRSP Deduction Limit
Under "RRSP and savings plans" in My Account, you can see your exact RRSP deduction limit — the maximum you can contribute and deduct this year, including all carried-forward unused room from prior years. This is the authoritative figure; do not rely on estimates. Over-contributing by more than $2,000 triggers a 1%/month penalty tax.
TFSA Contribution Room
Under the same section, your TFSA contribution room shows exactly how much you can deposit in your TFSA without over-contributing. Note there is typically a delay — the CRA updates TFSA data based on information submitted by financial institutions, usually by late spring. If you made recent TFSA contributions, the My Account figure may not reflect them until the update cycle.
Tax Slips (Auto-fill My Return)
From "Tax information slips", you can view all T4s, T5s, T3s, T4As, and other slips the CRA has received on your behalf. More importantly, when using NETFILE-certified tax software, you can authorize Auto-fill My Return to import all these slips automatically — eliminating manual entry errors.
Managing Benefits in My Account
My Account is the central hub for all income-tested benefit payments:
| Benefit | What You Can Do in My Account |
|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | View payment amounts and dates, update marital status or children, apply for CCB for new children |
| GST/HST Credit | View quarterly payment history, check eligibility, update marital status |
| Canada Carbon Rebate | View quarterly payments, rural supplement status |
| All benefits | Set up or change direct deposit for all payments at once |
Responding to CRA Reviews and Requests
If the CRA reviews your return or requests documentation, you will receive a letter or notice in My Account. You can respond directly online by uploading documents through "Submit documents" in My Account — much faster and more reliable than mailing paper. Keep a record of your submission and the CRA confirmation number.
Common CRA review triggers include large charitable donations, medical expenses, business losses, RRSP over-contributions, or sudden changes in income compared to prior years. Responding promptly and with complete documentation usually resolves these quickly.
Adjusting Prior-Year Returns Online
Made a mistake or missed a deduction from a previous year? In My Account, go to "Change my return" to submit a T1 Adjustment request (same as filing Form T1-ADJ). You can adjust returns going back 10 years. The CRA will review your request and issue a reassessment. If the change results in a refund, it is deposited to your direct deposit account.
Security Tip: Enable CRA Account Alerts
The CRA offers free email and text alerts when key changes happen to your account: a new address registered, direct deposit information changed, a new representative authorized, or a return filed in your name. Enable these under "Notification preferences" in My Account. These alerts are your early warning if someone else tries to access your account or redirect your refund — tax identity theft is a real risk in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for CRA My Account?
There are two ways: (1) Create a CRA user ID — go to Canada.ca/my-cra-account, provide your SIN, date of birth, and information from a recent return; the CRA mails a security code to your address within 5–10 days. (2) Sign in with your bank (Sign-In Partner) — instant access using your personal online banking credentials from RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, or Desjardins.
What can I see in CRA My Account?
Your Notice of Assessment for current and past years, RRSP deduction limit, TFSA contribution room and transaction history, tax slips (T4, T5, etc.), benefit payment history (CCB, GST/HST credit, Carbon Rebate), refund status, instalment account balance, and any pending reviews or correspondence from the CRA.
How do I set up direct deposit in CRA My Account?
Log in to My Account → "Profile" → "Direct deposit". Enter your bank's transit number, institution number, and account number (from a void cheque or your online banking). Once confirmed, all CRA payments (refunds, CCB, GST/HST credit) are deposited directly to your account, typically within 3–5 business days.
Can my accountant or tax preparer access my CRA My Account?
Yes, through "Represent a Client". In My Account, go to "Authorize my representative" and enter their RepID or GroupID. You can grant view-only or full access, limit it to specific tax years, and revoke access at any time. MaxRefund uses this system to access client accounts securely.
What is the CRA My Account Express NOA feature?
Express NOA delivers your Notice of Assessment electronically, directly to your My Account, immediately after the CRA processes your return — instead of waiting weeks for a paper copy. Opt in under "Notification preferences" in My Account. You receive an email notification and can view the NOA online the same day your return is assessed.
Need Help Navigating Your CRA Account?
MaxRefund helps individuals understand their CRA notices, access their tax history, and file accurate T1 returns every year.
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