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How to Set Up CRA My Account Canada 2026

Updated

What Is CRA My Account?

Online Portal Features

Feature Benefit
View tax info Returns, assessments
Track refunds Real-time status
Check contribution room RRSP, TFSA
Update info Address, direct deposit
Authorize reps Accountant access

Why You Need It

Reason Details
Instant access No waiting for mail
Auto-fill returns Slips imported
Direct deposit Faster refunds
Track everything All tax history

How to Register

Option 1: Sign-In Partner

Step Action
1 Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account
2 Click Sign-In Partner
3 Choose your bank
4 Log in with bank credentials
5 CRA verifies identity
6 Complete registration

Participating Banks

Institution Available
TD Canada Trust Yes
RBC Royal Bank Yes
BMO Yes
Scotiabank Yes
CIBC Yes
National Bank Yes
Desjardins Yes
Tangerine Yes

Option 2: CRA User ID

Step Action
1 Go to canada.ca/my-cra-account
2 Click CRA user ID
3 Choose Register
4 Create user ID and password
5 Set up security questions
6 Verify identity

Identity Verification

Information Needed

Item Details
SIN Social Insurance Number
Date of birth As on file with CRA
Current postal code As on file
Tax return info From prior return

From Prior Return

Info Why Needed
Line from return Verifies identity
Amount Specific dollar amount
Year Which tax year

If Can’t Verify Online

Alternative Process
Security code by mail 5-10 business days
In-person Service Canada office
Call CRA Sometimes possible

Setting Up Your Account

After Registering

Task Why
Set up direct deposit Faster refunds
Verify address Correct information
Review tax history Check accuracy
Check contribution room RRSP, TFSA

Direct Deposit Setup

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Navigate to Direct Deposit
3 Enter bank account info
4 Confirm details
5 Save

Bank Info Needed

Field Details
Institution number 3 digits
Transit number 5 digits
Account number 7-12 digits

Features Overview

Tax Returns and Assessments

Feature What You Can Do
View returns Past submissions
Notice of Assessment View/print
Tax slips T4, T5, etc.
Reassessments If any changes

RRSP/TFSA Information

Feature Details
Contribution room Current room
Prior contributions History
Deduction limit RRSP
Participation TFSA since 2009

Refund Status

Status Meaning
Received CRA has return
Processing Being reviewed
Assessed Process complete
Sent Refund issued

Benefits and Credits

Feature What You See
GST/HST credit Amounts/dates
Canada Child Benefit Payments
Climate Action Incentive If applicable

Auto-fill My Return

What It Is

Feature Details
Tax slip import CRA sends to software
Slips available T4, T5, T3, etc.
Time saver No manual entry

How to Use

Step Action
1 Use certified tax software
2 Connect to CRA account
3 Authorize software
4 Slips auto-import
5 Verify accuracy

What Auto-fills

Slip Information
T4 Employment income
T5 Investment income
T4A Other income
T4E EI benefits
T4RSP RRSP withdrawals
RRSP receipts Contributions

Security Features

Protecting Your Account

Feature Details
Logout automatic After inactivity
Security questions Additional verification
Alert messages For activity
Two-factor If enabled

Tips

Tip Why
Don’t share login Security
Use strong password Protection
Monitor alerts Catch fraud
Log out when done Public computers

Authorize a Representative

Allow Access

Who Why
Accountant Tax preparation
Spouse Joint management
Family member Assistance

How to Authorize

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Go to Authorize a representative
3 Add representative info
4 Specify access level
5 Rep accepts on their end

Access Levels

Level What They Can Do
Level 1 View only
Level 2 View and request info
Level 3 View, request, make changes

Common Tasks

Change Address

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Go to Personal Information
3 Update address
4 Save changes

View TFSA Room

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Go to RRSP and TFSA
3 Click TFSA
4 View contribution room

View RRSP Room

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Go to RRSP and TFSA
3 Click RRSP
4 View deduction limit

Track Refund

Step Action
1 Log into My Account
2 Go to Returns
3 View status
4 Check refund issued date

Troubleshooting

Locked Out

Issue Solution
Forgot password Reset online
Too many attempts Wait and retry
Revoked ID Create new or call
Verification failed Call CRA

CRA Contact

Method Details
Phone 1-800-959-8281
Hours Mon-Fri 9am-9pm
Wait times Can be long during tax season

Common Issues

Problem Solution
Slips not showing Wait until mid-February
Wrong information Contact employer/issuer
Room seems wrong May take time to update
Can’t link software Re-authorize

Mobile Access

CRA Mobile App

Platform Available
iOS Yes
Android Yes
Features Most My Account features

App Features

Feature Available
View benefits Yes
Track refund Yes
View slips Yes
Update address Yes

Summary

Why Set Up Now

Benefit Details
Ready for tax season Auto-fill ready
Track refund Real-time
Know your room RRSP, TFSA
Direct deposit Faster money

Quick Start

Priority Action
1 Register online
2 Verify identity
3 Set up direct deposit
4 Link to tax software