A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for New Business Owners
Table of Contents
What Is a CRA Business Account?
Why Do You Need a CRA Business Account?
Steps to Register for a CRA Business Account
• Step 1: Gather Required Information
• Step 2: Access the CRA Business Registration Online Portal
• Step 3: Choose the Registration Type
• Step 4: Complete the Registration Form
• Step 5: Submit the Registration Form
• Step 6: Await Confirmation & Business Number Assignment
• Step 7: Activate Your CRA Business Account
• Step 8: Start Using Your CRA Business Account
Additional CRA Program Accounts (GST/HST, Payroll, Import/Export)
Common Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
What Is a CRA Business Account?
A CRA Business Account is an online portal provided by the Canada Revenue Agency that allows businesses and self-employed individuals to:
Manage their taxesAccess government programs
File returns
View account balances
Register for GST/HST, Payroll, and Import/Export accounts
Receive important tax notices
Every business in Canada — whether a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, or Non-Profit — requires a CRA Business Account to remain compliant.
Why Do You Need a CRA Business Account?
A CRA Business Account gives you secure access to important features:
File and pay your GST/HST
Register for Payroll (RP)
Obtain an Import/Export Number
View tax statements and balances
Update business information
Communicate securely with CRA
Apply for credits, refunds, and government programs
Without this account, you cannot legally operate many parts of your business in Canada.
How to Register for a CRA Business Account
Follow the steps below to complete your registration quickly and correctly.
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Before you begin, have the following ready:
For Individuals (Sole Proprietorship):
Full legal nameSocial Insurance Number (SIN)
Date of birth
Complete address
Business name (if applicable)
Business activity description
For Corporations:
Articles of IncorporationCorporation name & number
Incorporation date
Registered office address
Names of directors
Contact information
Step 2: Access the CRA Business Registration Online Portal
Visit the official CRA online portal:
From here, select the option to register for:
Business Number (BN)or
CRA Program Accounts (if you already have a BN)
Step 3: Choose the Registration Type
You will choose one of the following:
Register a New Business Number (BN)
Required if you are a brand-new business.
Add CRA Program Accounts to an Existing BN
Such as:
GST/HST (RT)Payroll (RP)
Import/Export (RM)
Corporation Income Tax (RC)
Step 4: Complete the Registration Form
Fill out the online form with all required details:
Business structureOwnership information
Business address
Business activity
Start date of operations
Contact person authorization
The system will guide you step-by-step.
Step 5: Submit the Registration Form
Once all fields are completed, submit your application.
CRA will process your information and issue your:
Business Number (BN)
and/or
GST/HST, Payroll, or Import/Export Account Numbers
Depending on what you applied for.
Step 6: Await Confirmation & Business Number Assignment
After submitting, you will receive:
A 9-digit Business Number (BN)Program account suffixes (RT, RP, RM, RC)
A confirmation summary (emailed or shown on screen)
Example:
123456789 RT0001 (GST/HST account)
This number is required for banking, tax filing, invoicing, and government reporting.
Step 7: Activate Your CRA Business Account
Once you receive your BN, you can create your online CRA login:
CRA My Business Account
You can sign in using:
GCKeySign-In Partner (your bank login)
CRA Login (Activation Code required)
Once activated, you will gain full online access.
Step 8: Start Using Your CRA Business Account
Inside your CRA Business Account you can:
File GST/HSTView payroll remittances
Access Import/Export information
Check balances & statements
File corporate tax returns
Receive CRA notices
Update business details
This becomes your main online portal for tax compliance in Canada.
Additional CRA Program Accounts You May Need
Many businesses also require:
GST/HST Number (RT)
Mandatory if annual revenue exceeds $30,000.
Recommended for most service-based businesses.
Payroll Number (RP)
If you plan to hire employees.
Import/Export Number (RM)
Required for global shipping, Amazon FBA, wholesalers, etc.
Corporation Income Tax (RC)
Issued automatically when incorporating.
ONTARIS can help set up all CRA accounts on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do all businesses need a CRA Business Account?
Yes — all businesses in Canada require a Business Number (BN) to register for taxes and government accounts.
Is the CRA Business Number the same as the GST/HST number?
Partially.
The BN is the main number, while GST/HST is a suffix (RT0001).
Is it free to register?
Yes — registering for CRA Business Accounts is free.
How long does it take to receive a Business Number?
Instant to 1 hour online.
Can ONTARIS register my CRA Business Account for me?
Yes — we can do all registration steps for you.
Conclusion
Registering for a CRA Business Account is an essential step for operating any business legally in Canada. With your BN and program accounts set up, you can manage taxes, apply for government programs, hire employees, and build your business with full compliance.
ONTARIS can assist you at every step — from registering your business to setting up all CRA tax accounts professionally and correctly.