How to Change Your Address With CRA in Canada

Moving is stressful enough — but failing to update your address with CRA can cause you to miss benefit payments, tax notices, and important correspondence. Here is exactly how to update it, and who else to notify at the same time.

Why your CRA address matters

CRA uses your address on file to:

• Mail refund cheques (if you do not have direct deposit)
• Mail benefit cheques (CCB, GST credit, CAIP) if not on direct deposit
• Send your Notice of Assessment (NOA) each year
• Send audit and review letters — which have response deadlines
• Send collections notices for outstanding balances
• Verify your identity when you call CRA

An outdated address can lead to missed deadlines and, in the case of uncashed benefit cheques, payments that eventually get sent to the Bank of Canada as unclaimed funds.

Method 1: Online via CRA My Account (fastest)

1. Log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca
2. Under “Personal information”, click “Personal profile”
3. Click “Change address”
4. Enter your new address and click “Save”
5. The change is reflected immediately in your account and processes within 1–3 business days for mail

This is the recommended method — it is instant, requires no wait time, and gives you a confirmation record.

Method 2: On your annual tax return (T1)

When you file your T1 return each year, there is a section for your current address. Filing a return with your updated address notifies CRA automatically — but this only updates once a year when you file.

If you moved recently and your tax return isn’t due for several months, use My Account or the phone option instead.

Method 3: By phone

Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (individual enquiries).

Have ready:

• Your SIN
• Your date of birth
• Your previous address (for verification)
• A line amount from your most recent tax return

CRA will verify your identity, then update the address on file. Changes process in a few business days. Wait times are shortest early morning or after 3 PM, and lowest volume in May–September.

Method 4: By mail or fax

You can write a signed letter to your local CRA tax centre (find it at canada.ca → “Our offices”) with your name, SIN, old address, and new address. This is the slowest method — only use it if you have no access to a phone or internet.

What about Quebec?

Revenu Québec is entirely separate from CRA. Updating your CRA address does not update Revenu Québec. If you live in Quebec, also update your address with Revenu Québec:

• Online: revenuquebec.ca → “My Account (citizens)”
• Phone: 1-800-267-6299

Who else to notify when you move

Updating CRA is one step — but many Canadians miss other important addresses:

If you moved recently and missed a benefit payment

If a benefit cheque was mailed to your old address:

1. Check with your old landlord or building manager — they may have received the mail
2. Contact Canada Post about mail forwarding from the old address
3. Call CRA to report the missing payment and request a reissue — they can confirm if a cheque was issued and reissue it if it has not been cashed

If the cheque was cashed by someone else, CRA treats this as a potential fraud case — report it to the CRA security tip line.

Related resources

• How to Use CRA My Account — Full guide to the CRA portal
• How to Set Up CRA Direct Deposit — Avoid missed benefit cheques entirely
• Unclaimed CRA Money Canada — Check for uncashed cheques from past addresses
• Interprovincial Move Financial Checklist — Full province-to-province financial to-do list