FinancialFebruary 18, 202610 min read

How to Use My CRA Account Online

By WelcomeAide Team

Laptop screen showing the CRA My Account login page with a Canadian flag mug nearby

What Is My CRA Account?

My CRA Account is a free, secure online portal provided by the Canada Revenue Agency that lets you manage your tax affairs from anywhere in the world. Think of it as your personal dashboard for everything related to your Canadian taxes. You can view your tax returns, check benefit payments, update your address, set up direct deposit, and much more.

For newcomers to Canada, My CRA Account is one of the most important digital tools you will use. It gives you instant access to your tax information without having to call the CRA or visit an office — which can save hours of waiting time.

Why Newcomers Should Set This Up Immediately

Once you have filed your first Canadian tax return and have a Social Insurance Number (SIN), you should set up your My CRA Account right away. Here's why:

You can see your Notice of Assessment — the CRA's official review of your tax return — as soon as it is processed
You can track benefit payments like the GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
You can update your marital status, address, and banking information instantly
You can view your RRSP and TFSA contribution limits
You can authorize a representative (like an accountant) to deal with the CRA on your behalf

Step-by-step registration process illustrated with numbered icons on a computer screen

How to Register for My CRA Account

Option 1: Sign in with a Sign-In Partner (Fastest)

The quickest way to access My CRA Account is through a sign-in partner. These are Canadian banks and financial institutions whose online banking credentials you can use to verify your identity. Supported partners include:

TD Bank
RBC Royal Bank
Scotiabank
BMO Bank of Montreal
CIBC
National Bank
Desjardins
And several others

To use this option:

Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account
Click "CRA sign in"
Select "Sign in with a Sign-In Partner"
Choose your bank from the list
You will be redirected to your bank's login page — enter your online banking credentials
Your bank verifies your identity and sends you back to the CRA site
The first time, you will need to enter your SIN, date of birth, and a line amount from a recent tax return to complete registration

Tip for newcomers: If you just opened a Canadian bank account and have online banking set up, this is the easiest path. Your banking credentials are never shared with the CRA — the bank simply confirms your identity.

Option 2: CRA User ID and Password

If you don't have a Canadian bank account or prefer not to use a sign-in partner:

Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account
Click "CRA sign in"
Select "CRA user ID and password"
Click "Register" to create a new user ID and password
You will need to enter your SIN, date of birth, postal code, and an amount from your most recent tax return
The CRA will mail a security code to your address on file — this takes 5–10 business days
Once you receive the code, log in again and enter it to complete your registration

Important: The security code expires after a set period. If it expires before you use it, you'll need to request a new one.

Option 3: BC Services Card App (British Columbia Residents)

If you live in British Columbia, you can use the BC Services Card app as a sign-in method. This requires a BC Services Card with photo ID and the BC Services Card app installed on your phone.

Navigating My CRA Account: Key Features

Tax Returns

Once logged in, click "Tax returns" to see:

Your filed returns and their status (received, assessed, reassessed)
Your Notice of Assessment (NOA) — this is the CRA's summary of your return, showing what you owe or what refund you're getting
Any adjustments the CRA made to your return
Carry-forward amounts (like unused tuition credits or capital losses)

Sample Notice of Assessment document showing tax summary and refund amount

Benefits and Credits

Click "Benefits and credits" to see:

Your GST/HST credit payment dates and amounts
Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments if you have children
Canada Workers Benefit
Climate Action Incentive payments
Provincial benefit payments

This section also shows if your benefits were recalculated and why. For newcomers, your first GST/HST credit payment may be prorated based on when you arrived in Canada.

RRSP and TFSA

The "RRSP and TFSA" section shows:

Your RRSP deduction limit — the maximum you can contribute to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Your TFSA contribution room — the maximum you can put into a Tax-Free Savings Account
Any unused amounts carried forward from previous years

Newcomer tip: Your TFSA contribution room starts accumulating from the year you became a Canadian resident (and were 18 or older). You don't get room for years before you arrived.

Updating Your Information

Under "Personal information", you can:

Change your address — do this as soon as you move so the CRA can reach you
Update your marital status — this affects your benefits, so update it promptly if you get married, separate, or become common-law
Set up or change your direct deposit — enter your bank transit number, institution number, and account number
Add or change your phone number and email

Represent a Client / Authorize a Representative

If you want someone (like an accountant or a trusted family member) to access your CRA account on your behalf:

Go to "Authorized representatives"
You can add a representative by entering their RepID or GroupID
Choose what level of access to grant — view only, or view and update

Using My CRA Account on Your Phone

The CRA offers the MyCRA web app (accessible through your phone's browser at canada.ca/my-cra-account). It provides most of the same features in a mobile-friendly format. There is also a legacy "MyCRA" mobile app, but the CRA has been transitioning to the web-based version.

Security Tips

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): The CRA now supports MFA. Set this up immediately to protect your account from unauthorized access.
Use a strong, unique password: Do not reuse passwords from other accounts.
Watch for scams: The CRA will never send you emails with links asking for personal information, threaten you with arrest, or demand payment by gift card. If you receive such messages, they are scams.
Check your account regularly: Log in periodically to make sure no unauthorized changes were made to your address or direct deposit.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

"We could not verify your identity": This usually means the information you entered (SIN, date of birth, or tax return amount) doesn't match CRA records. Double-check all entries. The tax return amount must be exact — check your NOA.
Locked out: After too many failed login attempts, your account may be locked. Call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to unlock it.
Security code not arriving: Make sure your address is correct with the CRA. If you moved recently, the code may have gone to your old address. Call the CRA to update your address and request a new code.
First-time filers: You need to have filed at least one tax return before you can fully register. If you haven't filed yet, file your first return and wait for your NOA.

What Newcomers Should Do First

Once you have access to My CRA Account, here is a recommended checklist:

Confirm your address — make sure the CRA has your current address
Set up direct deposit — so refunds and benefits go straight to your bank account
Check your benefit status — see if you're receiving the GST/HST credit and any other benefits you're entitled to
Review your NOA — make sure there are no errors in how the CRA assessed your return
Check your TFSA and RRSP room — know your contribution limits before investing
Enable MFA — protect your account immediately

My CRA Account is your single most powerful tool for managing your tax life in Canada. Take the time to set it up properly, and it will save you countless hours and headaches going forward.

Key CRA Account Actions for Newcomers

Once you have successfully set up your My CRA Account, you've unlocked a powerful tool for managing your financial life in Canada. For newcomers, specific functionalities become particularly important for a smooth transition and to access vital support. One of the most crucial uses is filing your annual income tax return. Even if you arrive mid-year or have no income, filing a return is essential to establish your eligibility for various federal and provincial benefits. Your CRA account allows you to view your tax slips (like T4s) and use the 'Auto-fill my return' service, making the process smoother and reducing errors. For detailed guidance on understanding the Canadian tax system and preparing your first return, our Tax Guide offers step-by-step support tailored for newcomers. Beyond filing taxes, your CRA account is your hub for managing government benefits. You can apply for and check the status of benefits like the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit and, if you have children, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). These benefits...

Related Resources

WelcomeAide Tools

WelcomeAide Blog — browse all newcomer guides and updates
Tax Guide — understand taxes, filing deadlines, and common credits
Banking Guide — compare newcomer banking options and account types
Cost Calculator — estimate monthly living costs in Canada
Benefits Guide — find federal and provincial financial supports