The CRA pays out billions of dollars in refunds and benefits every year: tax refunds, the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit, and more. Direct deposit sends these payments straight to your bank account, faster than a cheque. This page covers the four ways to set it up or change it; it is part of the Dealing with the CRA directory.
Why set up CRA direct deposit?
- Faster payments: Direct deposit typically arrives 1–2 weeks faster than a paper cheque
- More reliable: No risk of a cheque being lost in the mail or sent to an old address
- Single setup covers everything: All CRA payments go to the same account
- Change it anytime: Update online in minutes when you change banks
Method 1: Online through CRA My Account
Steps:
Log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca (using your CRA login or Sign-In Partner / bank credentials; if you haven’t registered yet, the steps are in the My Account registration guide)
Under “Personal information”, click “Direct deposit”
Click “Start” or “Edit” if one is already set up
Enter your banking information:
- Institution number: 3 digits (e.g., 002 for Scotiabank, 001 for BMO)
- Branch / transit number: 5 digits
- Account number: typically 7–12 digits
Confirm the information and click “Submit”
CRA confirms the update on screen. Changes take effect within 1–3 business days.
Where to find your banking information
Option A, a void cheque: The bottom of a cheque shows the numbers in this order: [transit number] [institution number] [account number]
Option B, online banking: Log in to your bank’s website or app, select your account and look for “Account details,” “Direct deposit info,” or similar. Most banks display the transit and institution numbers here.
Option C, your bank: Your bank’s customer service can provide your transit and institution number over the phone after verifying your identity.
Common institution numbers
| Bank | Institution # |
|---|---|
| Bank of Montreal (BMO) | 001 |
| Scotiabank | 002 |
| RBC Royal Bank | 003 |
| TD Canada Trust | 004 |
| National Bank | 006 |
| CIBC | 010 |
| HSBC Canada | 016 |
| Desjardins | 815 |
| EQ Bank | 623 |
| Tangerine | 614 |
(For reference only; your bank confirms the numbers for your account. Every institution’s number is listed in the Canadian bank routing numbers guide.)
Method 2: On your T1 tax return
When you file your T1 annual tax return, there is a direct deposit section (usually near the end of the form or in your tax software). Enter your banking information there. This sets up direct deposit for the refund from that specific return and registers your information with CRA for future payments.
Tax software like TurboTax and Wealthsimple Tax will prompt you to enter or confirm your direct deposit information during the filing process.
Method 3: By phone
Call the CRA’s individual tax enquiries line at 1-800-959-8281 and ask to set up direct deposit (hours are on the CRA contact information page). Have the following ready:
- Your SIN
- Your date of birth
- Your current address
- A line amount from your most recently filed tax return (for identity verification)
- Your banking transit, institution, and account numbers
Wait times at the CRA can be 30–60+ minutes during filing season (February–April).
Method 4: Through your bank (selected programs)
Some banks allow you to register your direct deposit with the CRA directly from your online banking portal, with no CRA website visit needed. Look for a “Government deposits” or “CRA direct deposit” option in your bank’s settings. RBC is among the banks that advertises this feature directly; check your own bank’s online banking for a similar option, since not all institutions offer it the same way.
How to verify your direct deposit is set up
Once set up:
- Log in to CRA My Account
- Go to “Personal information”, then “Direct deposit”
- The page shows the last 3 digits of your account number and the financial institution on file
If the information shown is correct, you are set up.
Which payments go to the account
One direct deposit setup covers the payments the CRA makes: tax refunds, the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit (renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit), advance Canada Workers Benefit payments and the provincial benefits the CRA pays. The dates each one arrives are in the government payment calendar, and a deposit you don’t recognise can be identified with why the CRA deposited money in your account.
OAS and CPP payments are handled by Service Canada, not the CRA. They have a separate direct deposit setup at canada.ca/service-canada.
Changing banks: what to do
When you change banks:
- The new account is opened before the old one is closed
- CRA direct deposit (and Service Canada’s, for CPP/OAS) is updated with the new account
- The old account stays open with a small balance for at least 30 days to catch any payments in transit
- Your employer’s payroll direct deposit is updated separately
If you are moving at the same time, updating your mailing address is a separate step, covered in how to change your address with the CRA.
Related resources
- CRA My Account: what else the account shows besides your banking details
- Ways to pay the CRA: if you owe money instead of receiving a refund
- Checking whether your return was accepted: before a refund is deposited
- CCB payment dates: when the monthly child benefit arrives