Create a CRA My Account (And Why You Must Do It Yourself)
Whether you’re filing taxes for the first time or just trying to stay organized with your financial matters in Canada, setting up your CRA My Account is one of the most important steps you can take. This secure online portal provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) gives you access to your tax information, refund status, benefits, and more — all in one place.
Why You Need a CRA My Account
A CRA My Account allows you to:
- Check the status of your tax return and refund
- View and manage your benefit payments (like GST/HST credit or CCB)
- Access notices of assessment
- Set up or change direct deposit
- Submit documents and correspondence directly to CRA
Having access to your tax and benefit information online means you don’t have to rely on waiting for letters in the mail or calling CRA for updates.
Why You Must Set It Up Yourself
Only you, the individual taxpayer, can register and manage your CRA My Account. The CRA has strict privacy and security measures that prevent anyone else — including tax preparers, accountants, or family members, from creating an account on your behalf.
This ensures your personal and financial information remains secure. Sharing your CRA login or attempting to let someone else create your account could lead to serious privacy violations or delays in your tax processing.
How to Create a CRA My Account – Step by Step
- Choose a Sign-In Option:
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- Use a Sign-In Partner (your online banking login), OR
- Create a CRA GCKey login
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- Enter Your Information:
You’ll need:
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- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Date of birth
- Current postal code
- Amount on Line 15000 of your latest tax return (if applicable)
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- Verify Your Identity:
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- Option A: CRA will mail a one-time security code to your home address
- Option B: Instantly verify using a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license) and a selfie — faster and fully online
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- Activate Your Account:
Once verified, log in again to access your CRA My Account dashboard.
How to Set Up Direct Deposit
Once your account is active, you can easily enroll in direct deposit to receive your tax refund and benefits faster:
- Log in to CRA My Account
- Go to “Direct deposit”
- Enter your bank account, institution, and transit numbers
Alternatively, most Canadian banks offer a CRA Direct Deposit feature through their online banking platforms.
Final Tips
- Set up account alerts in your CRA account to stay informed of any changes or mail
- Keep your login credentials safe and never share them
- If you move, update your address in your CRA account right away
Creating your CRA My Account is a smart and secure way to stay in control of your taxes and benefits. The process is straightforward and gives you full visibility into your financial relationship with the CRA.
Need help? Contact CRA at 1-800-959-8281 or visit a local Service Canada office.
If you need help with your tax planning or tax return filing you can always book an appointment with us. Also, you may email your questions and our team would be so happy to help you.