CRA Accounts
CRA My Business Account: Setup and Guide
CRA My Business Account is where sole proprietors handle GST/HST, payroll and BN tasks. Learn how to register, sign in and manage online access today.
CRA My Business Account is the Canada Revenue Agency's secure online portal for managing your business tax affairs. If you hold a Business Number (BN), it is where you view balances, file returns and update program accounts — and it is kept separate from the personal My Account you use to file your T1 income tax return.
For a sole proprietor, that split matters. Business income still goes on your personal T1 using form T2125, but GST/HST, payroll and other BN-based programs are handled through My Business Account.
What CRA My Business Account actually is
My Business Account is one of three related CRA portals. My Account covers personal tax. My Business Account covers everything tied to your BN. Represent a Client lets an accountant or bookkeeper reach a client's accounts. The CRA has been rolling out a single sign-in experience across these services, so the appearance of the login screen may change, but the underlying access is the same.
You need a BN before you can register. A BN is the identifier the CRA issues — typically nine digits, followed by program identifiers such as RT or RP. If you do not have one yet, start with how to get a Business Number in Canada. The suffix letters and what they mean are explained in Business Number vs GST/HST number.
Who should use CRA My Business Account
You will need the portal if you are registered for any of the following:
- GST/HST — filing returns, checking net tax and making payments.
- Payroll — remitting source deductions if you have employees; see how to register for a CRA payroll account.
- Corporate income tax — rarely relevant to a sole proprietor, but relevant if you later incorporate.
- Other program accounts — import/export, excise and similar registrations.
Sole proprietors who are not registered for GST/HST and have no employees may find there is little to do inside My Business Account; much of their tax life happens in My Account instead. As soon as you register for GST/HST or payroll, though, the portal becomes essential. If you are unsure whether you need a payroll account, see when do I need a CRA payroll account.
How to register and sign in (CRA business login)
The CRA business login sits at the top of the CRA sign-in page. You can choose a Sign-In Partner — the same banking credentials some Canadians already use for personal CRA services — or a CRA user ID and password. Registration is a one-time process:
- From the CRA sign-in page, select My Business Account and choose to register.
- Provide your BN and confirm details the CRA already holds about the business.
- Create a CRA user ID and password, or link a Sign-In Partner.
- Set up multi-factor authentication, which the CRA requires for access.
- Record your recovery options so you can regain access if you lose a device.
Expect a verification step in which the CRA may mail a security code to the address on file. As of the current tax year, that wait is typically measured in business days but can vary by mail service, so confirm current expectations on the CRA website before you rely on a timeline.
What you can do once you are signed in
| Task | Where it happens |
|---|---|
| File a GST/HST return | My Business Account |
| View GST/HST balances and payment history | My Business Account |
| File a payroll remittance or view the RP account | My Business Account |
| Report business income on form T2125 | My Account (personal T1) |
| Change a mailing address or program account | My Business Account or by phone |
| Authorise an accountant or employee | My Business Account |
Other common tasks include viewing reassessments, downloading notices, scheduling payments and setting up direct deposit. If you registered recently and want to confirm your account is set up correctly, the steps in how to register for GST/HST complement what you will see in the portal.
Authorising employees, partners and accountants
My Business Account lets you grant different levels of access. A bookkeeper or accountant usually gets delegate access so they can view and file on your behalf; an employee might get limited access to a single program account. You can add or revoke authorisations at any time and review who currently holds access. Larger operations sometimes separate duties so the person who files is not the person who approves payments. For most sole proprietors, the simplest arrangement is to authorise one accountant and keep filing access for yourself.
Security, multi-factor authentication and sign-in problems
The CRA enforces strict security on business accounts, including multi-factor authentication and session timeouts. Lockouts are common and are usually resolved by waiting, using a recovery option, or contacting the CRA's business enquiries line. Never share your CRA user ID, and be alert to phishing messages that imitate CRA notices — the CRA will not ask for your password by email. If you operate more than one business, you can switch between BNs after signing in rather than registering separately for each one.
Keeping your business account details current
A stale address or a closed program account can cause missed correspondence and payment problems. If your mailing address, ownership or program registrations change, update them promptly — the steps are covered in how to update your CRA business account. If you stop making GST/HST supplies, cancelling the account is a separate process from simply not filing. Review your account at least once a year, and keep records to support what you report, since the CRA can review returns after the fact.
Frequently asked questions
How do I log in to CRA My Business Account?
Go to the CRA sign-in page and choose My Business Account. You can sign in with a Sign-In Partner using your banking credentials, or with a CRA user ID and password. Registration is a one-time process that requires your Business Number and multi-factor authentication. The CRA may also mail a security code to the address on file before your first sign-in. If you have several businesses, you can switch between Business Numbers after logging in.
Is CRA My Business Account the same as CRA My Account?
No. My Account is the personal portal for your T1 income tax return, RRSP and benefit information. My Business Account is for BN-based programs such as GST/HST, payroll and corporate income tax. A sole proprietor often uses both: business income is reported on form T2125 through My Account, while GST/HST returns and payroll remittances are filed through My Business Account. The CRA is gradually aligning sign-in across both services.
Can my accountant or bookkeeper access my CRA business login?
Yes, but they should use their own credentials rather than yours. You authorise them inside My Business Account, or they can request access through Represent a Client. Depending on the level you set, they may view, file or make payments. You can review and revoke authorisations at any time. Sharing your own CRA user ID or password may breach the CRA's terms of use and puts your account at risk.
What should I do if I am locked out of my CRA business login?
Use the recovery options you set during registration, such as a verified phone number, email address or security questions. If those fail, contact the CRA's business enquiries line for help, which will involve identity verification. Some lockouts clear after a waiting period. Keep your contact details current in My Business Account so your recovery options stay valid, and never respond to emails asking for your password.