{"id":59,"date":"2025-08-26T17:58:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T17:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/?p=59"},"modified":"2026-08-25T08:04:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:04:36","slug":"what-is-cra-account-number","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/what-is-cra-account-number\/","title":{"rendered":"What is CRA Account Number: Complete Guide for Businesses and Self-Employed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account number<\/strong> is a 9-digit identifier every business or self-employed individual may need when interacting with the CRA. It is essential for tax filing, payroll, GST\/HST, import\/export, and other federal requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding what a CRA account number is, when you need it, and how to register can save you from compliance issues and delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a CRA Account Number?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>CRA account number<\/strong> (also known as a <strong>Business Number<\/strong> or <strong>BN<\/strong>) is a unique 9-digit code assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency. It serves as the standard identifier for businesses and self-employed persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each CRA account number stays the same throughout the life of the business, but additional program codes can be attached depending on the activities of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When Do You Need a CRA Account Number?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need a CRA account number if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Incorporate your business.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collect GST\/HST from clients.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hire employees and deduct payroll taxes.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Import or export goods.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>File corporate income tax.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even sole proprietors may need a CRA account number if they register for program accounts such as <strong>GST\/HST<\/strong> or <strong>payroll<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CRA Program Accounts Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CRA account number can be extended with program identifiers. Each program has a two-letter code and a four-digit reference number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common CRA program accounts include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>RT (GST\/HST): <\/strong>Required if you collect GST\/HST.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RP (Payroll):<\/strong> Required if you pay employees.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RC (Corporation Income Tax): <\/strong>Required if you are incorporated.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RM (Import\/Export):<\/strong> Required for import\/export activities.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RZ (Information Returns): <\/strong>Required for filings such as T5, TFSA, or partnership returns.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RR (Registered Charity):<\/strong> Required for charities.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Business Number: <strong>123456789<\/strong><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GST\/HST account: <strong>123456789RT0001<\/strong><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Payroll account: <strong>123456789RP0001<\/strong><br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Register for a CRA Account Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can register for a CRA account number in several ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Online Registration<\/strong> \u2013 Use the Business Registration Online (BRO).<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Through Incorporation<\/strong> \u2013 You automatically receive a BN when incorporating federally or in participating provinces (BC, ON, NS, MB, NB, SK, PEI, AB).<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Program Accounts Registration<\/strong> \u2013 If you register for GST\/HST, payroll, or import\/export, a BN is automatically created.<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CRA Account Number vs GST\/HST Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CRA account number and GST\/HST number are not the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>CRA account number (BN)<\/strong> is the 9-digit base identifier.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>GST\/HST number<\/strong> is an extension of the BN with the code \u201cRT.\u201d<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>BN: <strong>123456789<\/strong><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GST\/HST Number: <strong>123456789RT0001<\/strong><br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Updating or Changing Your CRA Account Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A business or legal entity can only have one CRA account number. However, you may need a new one if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You change legal ownership of the business.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You restructure your business (e.g., from sole proprietor to corporation).<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You declare bankruptcy as a sole proprietor.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ: What is CRA Account Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. What is a CRA account number used for?<br><\/strong>It is used to identify your business with the CRA for taxes, payroll, GST\/HST, and other federal program accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Do sole proprietors need a CRA account number?<br><\/strong>Yes, if they register for GST\/HST, payroll, or other CRA program accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. How do I find my CRA account number?<br><\/strong>Log in to your CRA My Business Account or check your CRA correspondence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Is a CRA account number the same as a GST number?<br><\/strong>No. A GST\/HST number is linked to the CRA account number but is not the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Can I have more than one CRA account number?<br><\/strong>No. A business or entity can only have one CRA account number, but multiple program accounts can be added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. How long does it take to get a CRA account number?<br><\/strong>If you apply online, you usually receive it immediately upon completion of registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Do I need a CRA account number to file taxes?<br><\/strong>Yes, if you are incorporated or registered for program accounts like GST\/HST or payroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/revenue-agency\/services\/tax\/businesses\/topics\/registering-your-business.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canada Revenue Agency \u2013 Business Number Registration<\/a><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/revenue-agency\/services\/e-services\/cra-login-services.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CRA My Business Account<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account number is a 9-digit identifier every business or self-employed individual may need when interacting with the CRA. It is essential for tax filing, payroll, GST\/HST, import\/export, and other federal requirements. Understanding what a CRA account number is, when you need it, and how to register can save you from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":147,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cra"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/CRA-1.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions\/62"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myinformernews.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}