Set Up Your CRA My Account

Description

CRA My Account is the Canada Revenue Agency's online portal — your personal tax dashboard. It's where you set up direct deposit for government payments, view tax slips, track benefit eligibility, and manage your tax information. Set it up early so you're ready when tax season comes.

In person N/A

Online 15–30 min

mail verification takes 5–10 business days if needed

What to do

1. Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account and click 'Register'

2. If you have a BC Services Card, choose 'Provincial Partner' — this gives you the fastest and most complete access without waiting for a tax return

3. If you don't have a BC Services Card yet, choose 'Sign-In Partner' and use your bank login — some features will still be limited until you file your first tax return

4. If you create a CRA user ID instead, CRA will mail a security code to your address — takes 5–10 business days

5. Once logged in, go to 'Direct deposit' and add your Canadian bank account

6. Enable email notifications so you get alerted when new mail or updates are posted in your account

7. File a tax return every spring — even with no income — to unlock full account access and benefits

Warnings

Access may be limited at first

When you first register, you may not see all sections of your account
Full access is unlocked after you file your first tax return and receive your Notice of Assessment
This is normal — don't worry if some features are missing at the beginning
Using BC Services Card to sign in gives you the most complete access from day one

Newcomers must apply manually for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

This benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit) is not automatic for newcomers in their first year
Submit Form RC151 (no children) or Form RC66 (with children) to your local CRA tax centre
Don't wait for tax season — submit the form as soon as possible after arriving

CRA scams are common — know the difference

CRA may contact you by phone in some cases, but will never ask for payment or sensitive information like your SIN or passwords
CRA never demands immediate payment by gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
When in doubt, hang up and call CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281

Tips

BC Services Card is the best sign-in option

If you already have your BC Services Card, use it to sign in through 'Provincial Partner'. This is the only way newcomers in BC can get full CRA access before filing their first tax return — a major advantage over waiting for a mailed security code.

Set up direct deposit right away

Once logged in, add your Canadian bank account under 'Direct deposit'. This ensures any government payments arrive directly in your account instead of by cheque, which can take weeks.

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

This is a federal tax-free quarterly payment to help with everyday costs. Eligibility depends on your residency status and tax filings — applying early with Form RC151 ensures you don't miss out. In 2026, eligible single individuals can receive up to $950 including a one-time top-up.

File taxes even with zero income

Filing a tax return every year — even if you earned nothing — keeps your benefits active and ensures you don't miss credits or refunds. Free tools like Wealthsimple Tax make it quick and simple.

For students: T2202 tuition receipts

Keep all your T2202 tuition receipts from your school. These are loaded in your CRA account every February and can be used to reduce future taxes — even years after you graduate.

For workers: T4 slip

Your employer issues a T4 slip by the end of February showing your earnings and taxes withheld. Once available, it will appear in your CRA My Account under 'Tax slips'. Use it to file your return.

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