How to Update Your CRA Business Account

You can update your CRA business account through CRA My Business Account, by phone, or by mail, and most changes — including a new business address — take effect once the CRA processes them. As a sole proprietor, your Business Number (BN) does not change when your details do; you are correcting the information attached to it. Keeping that information current today matters, because notices, refunds and program correspondence are sent to the contact details the CRA has on file.

What You Can Change on a CRA Business Account

One BN can hold several program accounts — GST/HST, payroll, corporate income tax and import/export — and each one carries contact and profile information. From CRA My Business Account you can typically update:

• mailing, physical and alternate addresses;
• telephone numbers, fax numbers and email contacts;
• operating (trade) name and business activity descriptions;
• authorized contacts and representatives who can act for you;
• direct deposit and banking information;
• details tied to a specific GST/HST or payroll account;
• closure of a program account you no longer need.

Some changes are not simple profile edits. Changing legal ownership — for example, incorporating or adding a partner — usually means a new BN or a separate registration process. If you are unsure which number you hold, see Business Number vs GST/HST number, and for background on the structure itself see what a sole proprietorship is.

How to Update Your CRA Business Account Online

The online route is the fastest way to make routine changes such as changing your business address or updating a phone number. The general steps are:

1. Sign in to CRA My Business Account with a CRA user ID and password, or through a Sign-In Partner.
2. Select the Business Number you want to update — one sign-in can hold several.
3. Open the profile or account information area for that BN.
4. Edit the field you need (address, phone, operating name, direct deposit) and submit it.
5. Save or print the confirmation, then check back later to confirm the change shows on each program account.

Menu labels shift as the CRA updates its systems, so if a link is not where you expect, use the site search or the account's help pages. Our walkthrough of CRA My Business Account setup and use covers access options in more detail.

How to Change Your Business Address With the CRA

An address change is the most common update, and it is also where people get caught out: the CRA may hold a mailing address, a physical location, and separate addresses for each program account. Update every one that applies. A CRA change also does not flow through to your provincial or territorial registration — those are separate systems.

Updating by Phone, Mail, or Through a Representative

You do not have to use the portal. You can call the CRA's business enquiries line — the current number is listed on canada.ca — and an agent can change many details after verifying your identity. Have your BN, your SIN and the exact new information in front of you. Written requests by mail are also accepted.

You can also authorize a representative, such as an accountant, bookkeeper or family member, to view and update your account on your behalf. The authorization must be in place before they can act, and the CRA confirms identity checks and access levels. Confirm the current process, acceptable documents and contact numbers on the CRA website rather than relying on an old form.

Other Records That Often Need the Same Update

Your CRA account is only one of several places that hold your business details. After a move or a name change, it is worth working through the list:

• your provincial or territorial business registry, if you registered a business name;
• your bank, payment processor and credit providers;
• insurers, licences and municipal permits;
• suppliers, wholesalers and professional associations;
• your website, directories and online business listings.

If your operating name changed, you may need to revisit your business name registration — see how to register a business name in Canada. If you have taken on staff, you also need a payroll account; our guide on registering for a CRA payroll account explains when and how.

Keeping Your CRA Business Account Accurate

A quick review once a year — address, phone, email, direct deposit, authorized contacts — prevents most surprises. Outdated contact details are one of the simplest ways to miss a filing reminder, and a dormant account that should have been closed can create confusion later. If you stop making taxable supplies, close the GST/HST account properly rather than leaving it idle; see how to cancel a GST/HST account in Canada. If you are starting from scratch instead, our guide on how to get a Business Number in Canada covers registration.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Procedures and contact numbers change, so confirm the current steps on canada.ca or with a qualified adviser before acting.