Understanding CRA My Account: A Complete Guide for Newcomers

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the federal agency responsible for administering tax laws, collecting taxes, and delivering benefit programs for the Government of Canada. As a newcomer, you will interact with the CRA regularly, whether it is filing your annual tax return, receiving the GST/HST Credit, collecting the Canada Child Benefit, or updating your personal information. CRA My Account is the online tool that gives you secure, direct access to all of your tax and benefit information. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about registering for, navigating, and making the most of CRA My Account.

How to Register for CRA My Account

Registering for CRA My Account is a straightforward process, but it does require a few pieces of information and some patience, as part of the process involves waiting for a security code to arrive by mail. There are two main ways to access CRA My Account: through a sign-in partner or by creating a CRA user ID and password.

Option 1: Sign In With a Sign-In Partner

The fastest way to access CRA My Account is through a sign-in partner. A sign-in partner is a participating Canadian financial institution (such as your bank or credit union) that allows you to use your existing online banking credentials to log into the CRA. This method is called the Interac sign-in service. If you already have online banking set up with a Canadian bank, you can select your bank from the list of sign-in partners on the CRA My Account login page, log in using your banking credentials, and the CRA will verify your identity using the information your bank has on file. This method often allows you to bypass the security code step if the CRA can verify your identity through the sign-in partner. All of Canada's Big Five banks (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, and CIBC) are sign-in partners, as are many credit unions and other financial institutions.

Option 2: CRA User ID and Password

If you prefer not to use a sign-in partner, or if your bank is not a participating partner, you can create a CRA user ID and password directly on the CRA website. To do this, visit the CRA My Account page and select "CRA register." You will need to provide your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your date of birth, your current postal code, and information from your most recent tax return (such as the amount on a specific line). If you have never filed a Canadian tax return, you may not be able to use this option until after you have filed your first return. In this case, using a sign-in partner is the recommended approach.

The Security Code Process

When you register for CRA My Account using the CRA user ID option, the CRA will mail a security code to the address they have on file for you. This code is typically a combination of letters and numbers, and it is mailed in a letter to your home address. The security code usually arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Once you receive the code, you have a limited window (usually 30 days) to enter it on the CRA website to complete your registration. If the code expires before you use it, you will need to request a new one.

Tips for the Security Code

Make sure your mailing address is correct and up to date with the CRA before requesting the security code. If you have recently moved, update your address first by calling the CRA at 1-800-959-8281. Check your mail regularly, as the letter can look like any other government correspondence and might be overlooked. If you do not receive the code within 10 business days, call the CRA to verify your address and request a new code. The security code cannot be emailed or provided over the phone for security reasons.

What You Can Do with CRA My Account

Once you are logged in, CRA My Account gives you access to a wide range of services and information. Here are the most important features for newcomers.

View Your Notice of Assessment (NOA)

After you file your tax return, the CRA sends you a Notice of Assessment (NOA) that summarizes your return, confirms your assessed income, deductions, and credits, and tells you whether you owe money or are getting a refund. Your NOA is available in My Account as soon as the CRA processes your return, usually within two to eight weeks of filing. The NOA is an important document. You may need it when applying for a mortgage, a loan, rental housing, or government programs. You can view and print your NOA directly from My Account under "Tax returns" and then "Notice of assessment." For more on managing your finances, see our guide to filing taxes as a newcomer.

Track Your Benefits and Credits

My Account shows you all the benefit and credit payments you are receiving or are scheduled to receive. This includes the GST/HST Credit, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), the Canada Workers Benefit, provincial and territorial credits, and any other CRA-administered benefits. You can see the amount of each payment, the payment dates, and the calculation the CRA used to determine your entitlement. If you believe a payment is incorrect, you can review the calculation details and contact the CRA or make an adjustment through My Account. Check your benefit information regularly to make sure you are receiving everything you are entitled to.

Change Your Return

If you need to correct an error on a previously filed tax return, you can use the "Change my return" feature in My Account. This is equivalent to filing a T1 Adjustment Request. You can change returns for up to 10 previous tax years. The system walks you through the process step by step, allowing you to select the tax year, the line you want to change, and the new amount. You will also need to provide a brief explanation for the change. Most changes are processed within two weeks when submitted online, compared to several weeks when submitted by paper.

Update Your Personal Information

You can update the following personal information through My Account: your mailing address, your direct deposit or bank account information for receiving refunds and benefit payments, your marital status (which can affect benefit calculations), and your phone number. Keeping your information up to date is critical, especially if you move. An incorrect address can result in missed benefit payments, lost correspondence, and delays in processing your tax return. If you move between provinces, updating your address with the CRA also ensures that the correct provincial tax rates are applied to your return. For a complete guide to what to do when moving, see our interprovincial moving guide.

Set Up Direct Deposit

Setting up direct deposit through My Account ensures that your tax refunds and benefit payments are deposited directly into your Canadian bank account, rather than being mailed as a cheque. Direct deposit is faster, more secure, and more convenient. To set it up, you need your bank's institution number, transit number, and your account number, which you can find on a void cheque or through your online banking. Navigate to "Direct deposit" in My Account and enter your banking information. Changes to direct deposit typically take effect within five business days. For help choosing a bank, see our comparison of Canada's Big Five banks.

Authorized Representatives

If you want someone else to be able to access your CRA information or deal with the CRA on your behalf, you can authorize a representative through My Account. This is useful if you work with an accountant, a tax preparer, or a settlement worker who helps you with your tax affairs. There are different levels of authorization you can grant: Level 1 allows the representative to access your tax information but not make changes. Level 2 allows the representative to both access information and make changes to your account, such as filing a return or requesting an adjustment.

How to Authorize a Representative

To authorize a representative, log into My Account and navigate to "Authorized representatives" under the "Related services" section. You will need the representative's name, their RepID (for individuals), GroupID (for firms), or Business Number (for businesses). You can specify the tax years the authorization covers and the level of access you want to grant. The representative will then be able to access your account through their own CRA Represent a Client portal. You can revoke authorization at any time through My Account. For more on getting professional help, see our guide to free legal services for newcomers.

Other Useful Features of CRA My Account

Beyond the major features described above, My Account offers several additional tools. You can view your RRSP and TFSA contribution limits, which is useful when planning your savings and investments. You can view your tax slips (T4, T5, T3, etc.) that have been reported to the CRA by employers and financial institutions, which helps ensure you have all the information you need when filing your return. You can submit documents that the CRA has requested, such as receipts or supporting documentation for a review. You can view your account balance, including any amounts owing or credits. You can also access your proof of income statement (Option C), which is sometimes required for student loan applications, rental applications, or immigration proceedings. All of these features are available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week (the system is typically unavailable for maintenance for a few hours each day in the early morning). For information on the full list of My Account features, visit the CRA website.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Newcomers sometimes encounter difficulties when registering for or using CRA My Account. Here are solutions to the most common issues. If you are locked out of your account after too many failed login attempts, you will need to call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to have your account unlocked. If you cannot validate your identity because you have never filed a tax return, file your first return and wait for the NOA before trying again, or use a sign-in partner. If your security code has expired, request a new one through the CRA website. If the information on your account appears incorrect, contact the CRA or use the "Change my return" feature to make corrections. If you are having technical issues with the website, try clearing your browser cache, using a different browser, or accessing the site during off-peak hours.

Final Thoughts on CRA My Account

CRA My Account is one of the most valuable online tools available to you as a newcomer to Canada. It puts your tax and benefit information at your fingertips, allows you to manage your account without waiting on hold or visiting an office, and gives you the transparency and control you need to stay on top of your financial obligations and entitlements. Register as soon as you can, keep your information up to date, and check your account regularly to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Combined with filing your tax return every year, CRA My Account is the foundation of your financial relationship with the Government of Canada.

WelcomeAide is committed to helping newcomers navigate every aspect of Canadian government services. Use our AI Newcomer Navigator for instant, personalized guidance on CRA services, tax filing, and government benefits. Explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or discover how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.