The short version
- CRA My Account is where you see your notices, refunds, balance, RRSP and TFSA room, benefit payments and every letter CRA sends you. One sign-in also opens My Business Account and Represent a Client.
- Three ways in: a CRA user ID and password, a Sign-In Partner (your online banking), or a provincial account (Alberta.ca or BC Services Card).
- To register you need your SIN, date of birth, and amounts from your most recent assessed return, filed in the last two years.
- Full access needs your identity verified: instantly with a photo of your driver's licence, passport or provincial photo ID and a selfie, or with a security code mailed within 10 business days.
- Set up two or more ways to get one-time passcodes. Losing your only phone is the most common way people lock themselves out.
How to Create a CRA Account
Dealing with CRA by phone means hold music. Dealing with CRA by mail means waiting for Canada Post to find you. My Account cuts out both: notices appear the day they're issued, you upload documents instead of mailing them, and you can see why your refund is late without asking anyone. It takes about 15 minutes to set up, and the only hard part is finding last year's return.
What You Need Before You Start
| Item | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Social Insurance Number | Your SIN letter or a past return. No SIN yet? A temporary tax number works. |
| Date of birth | You know this one |
| Amounts from your latest assessed return | Your notice of assessment or the return itself. It must have been filed within the last two years. |
| A phone, authenticator app or passcode grid | For the one-time passcodes at every sign-in |
| Photo ID and a phone camera (for instant access) | Canadian passport, driver's licence, or provincial or territorial photo ID |
Haven't filed in two years? File first; see unfiled tax returns. Newcomers usually register after their first return is assessed; see first tax return in Canada.
Stuck on a registration step?
Tell the assistant which screen you are on and what it says. It explains what CRA wants, where to find the number on your return, and what to do if it does not match.
Step by Step
- Choose a sign-in method. Online banking (Sign-In Partner) means one less password; a CRA user ID works even if you change banks. You can switch later.
- Enter your SIN and date of birth, then the amount CRA asks for from your return. Have the return open; the session ends after 18 minutes of inactivity.
- Set up multi-factor authentication. Choose at least two: text or call, an authenticator app, or a printable passcode grid (valid 18 months).
- Verify your identity. The document verification service gives full access immediately. The mailed security code takes up to 10 business days and expires, so don't leave it in the junk drawer.
- Turn on email notifications and set up direct deposit. Refunds and benefits arrive days sooner.
What You Can Do in My Account
- See notices of assessment and reassessment, and every letter CRA has sent. Upload a confusing one to the CRA letter analyzer.
- Check refund status, your balance and payments.
- See RRSP, TFSA and FHSA room; see TFSA contribution room.
- View and apply for benefits, and see payment dates and amounts.
- Change a filed return; see change my return.
- Submit documents for a review, file an objection, set up a payment arrangement.
Found a notice in My Account you don't understand?
Upload it. The analyzer explains what CRA changed, what you owe or get back, and the deadline that matters.
Keep It Safe
- CRA will never contact you by text message, demand payment by gift card, e-transfer or crypto, or threaten arrest. Sign in yourself from canada.ca.
- Turn on email notifications so you hear about changes to your address or direct deposit. Moving? See changing your address with CRA.
- Register two passcode methods. If you lose access, see CRA login problems.
- Need a person? See how to contact CRA.
Your Balance and Old Returns
Balance: the account balance on My Account's home page shows what you owe or are owed for income tax, plus separate balances for benefits and instalments. See a balance you don't recognize. Old returns: My Account shows notices of assessment and tax slips for recent years, and you can download proof of income statements. It doesn't store the full return you filed, so keep copies from your software or preparer. For older years, call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to ask for copies by mail, or make an access to information request for years outside what CRA keeps on hand.
CRA My Account Questions
How do I create a CRA My Account?
Go to the CRA sign-in page on canada.ca, choose a CRA user ID, a Sign-In Partner or a provincial partner, enter your SIN, date of birth and an amount from your most recent assessed return, set up multi-factor authentication, then verify your identity.
What tax return amount do I need to register for My Account?
An amount from your most recent assessed return, which must have been filed within the last two years. CRA tells you which line it wants during registration.
How long does it take to get a CRA security code?
CRA mails it within 10 business days to the address on file. The document verification service, using photo ID and a selfie, gives full access immediately instead.
Can I use online banking to sign in to CRA?
Yes. Sign-In Partners let you use your participating bank’s online banking credentials. Alberta.ca and BC Services Card accounts also work as provincial partners.
Is one CRA account enough for personal and business?
Yes. One registration gives access to My Account, My Business Account and Represent a Client.
How do I check my CRA balance?
Sign in to My Account; the balance for income tax shows on the overview page, with separate balances for benefits and instalments. You can also call CRA or check your latest notice of assessment.
How do I get copies of old tax returns?
My Account shows notices of assessment, slips and proof of income statements for recent years. Full returns are kept by your tax software or preparer. For older years, call CRA to request copies by mail, or make an access to information request.
Sources: CRA, Register for a CRA account; Verify your identity; Multi-factor authentication. Checked October 2026. Screens and steps change from time to time; the requirements above are CRA's as of the date checked. Which banks are Sign-In Partners changes; CRA lists the current ones.
Last reviewed October 5, 2026 against CRA and Government of Canada sources. How we check our facts.