The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is responsible for administering tax laws and collecting taxes in Canada.
Although signing up for a CRA My Account isn’t mandatory, it’s an easy process that allows you to access all your tax information and government benefits in one place. We’ll walk you through the signup process step by step.
Key Takeaways
- You can access things like your tax return, government benefits, direct deposits, and more with a CRA My Account.
- The application can be done fully online.
- You'll need some basic personal information like your Social Insurance Number, postal code, and a copy of your latest income tax return.
What is the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)?
The Canada Revenue Agency administers everything related to taxation in Canada and delivers tax-based government benefits to individuals and corporations. These include:
- Tax assessments
- Benefit delivery
- Revenue collection
- Auditing
What are the benefits of CRA My Account?
Having a CRA account allows you to complete the following actions online:
- Access your tax return and refund
- Apply for government benefits
- Set up direct deposits
- Checking your TFSA and RRSP contribution limits
- Updating your personal information
Do I need a CRA account?
No, you don't need a CRA account, but using it to access your information is much easier than doing so over the phone or through snail mail.
Rather than waiting for Canada Post or going through the wringer with multiple departments while on the phone, a CRA account helps you navigate through the options much more quickly and efficiently.
How to create a CRA account
Here are the steps you'll need to take to set up a CRA My Account:
- Register for a user ID by entering your personal information like your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, and postal code
- Enter the required information from your most recent income tax return
- Create a password, security questions, and set up multi-factor authentication
After this, there are two options for verifying your new account:
- Use the Interac document verification process which requires a mobile device to take a photo of your government-issued ID
- Wait for a letter from the CRA (within 10 business days) containing a security code and enter it before the expiration date
How to find tax and benefits forms using your CRA My Account
You can find all tax and benefit forms on the overview page of your CRA My Account, which is what you see when you first log in.
Here's a quick summary of how to find some of the most popular tax forms for your convenience. All of these can be found on the overview page, which is the page you'll be on when you log in.
| Documents and information available | How to find it |
|---|---|
| Tax forms (T1, T4, etc.) | Under "Tax Information Slips" |
| Tax credits and benefits (CCB, GST/HST, etc,) | Under "Benefits and credits" |
| Notice of assessment | Under "Tax Returns" |
| RRSP and TFSA contribution limits | Under "Savings and Pension Plans, |
| Uncashed cheques | On the "Overview" page |
| Personal information | Under the "Profile" tab |
A note on uncashed cheques: Be sure to check this one in a while as they never expire and could be a source of easy money that you're entitled to.
FAQ
What can I do with a CRA My Account?
Once you've created and logged into your CRA My Account, you can access forms and documents, set up direct deposit, apply for government benefits, and check your TFSA and RRSP contribution limits, all in one place.
What do I need to create a CRA My Account?
You'll need your social insurance number, date of birth, postal code, and some information from your latest income tax return. You may also need to wait to access your account until you receive a verification code via Canada Post.
What are uncashed cheques under my CRA My Account?
Uncashed cheques are government cheques that haven't been deposited within 6 months of their issuance. These can be found in your CRA My Account and can be received via direct deposit or sent as a cheque through the mail.
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