CRA Account Set Up
Set up the CRA Business Number and program accounts that apply to your business. Choose the account or related registration service you need, provide the required information online, and get clear support through the applicable setup process.
Get it Done in 3 Simple Steps
1
Choose Your Account or Service
Select the CRA account or related business registration you need and provide the required business information.
2
Prepare Your Registration
Your information is reviewed and organized according to the account or registration service selected.
3
Complete Your Account Setup
Complete the applicable registration process and receive your account number, confirmation, or registration information once available.
Charity Status
- Apply for registered charity status with the CRA
- Prepare information about the organization's purposes and activities
- Address applicable charitable registration requirements
- Provide organizational and governing document information
- Complete the applicable CRA charity application process
- Receive registration information when available
WSIB Annual Filing
- For Ontario employers assigned annual WSIB reporting
- Review applicable payroll information for the reporting period
- Prepare required insurable earnings information
- Address annual premium reporting requirements
- Review filing details before submission
- Receive applicable filing confirmation
GST/HST Account Set Up
- Register for a GST/HST program account where required or eligible
- Use your existing Business Number if one is already assigned
- Obtain a Business Number through the applicable process if required
- Provide business information needed for registration
- Determine the applicable registration effective date
- Receive your GST/HST account information once available
Payroll Account Set Up
- Register for a CRA payroll deductions program account
- Use your existing Business Number where available
- Provide applicable employer and payroll information
- Set up the RP program account for your business
- Prepare required registration information
- Receive your payroll account details once available
WCB
- Get help with applicable workers' compensation registration
- Identify the appropriate provincial authority
- Provide employer and worker information where required
- Prepare applicable coverage registration details
- Address province-specific employer requirements
- Receive applicable registration information
CRA Business Number
- Obtain a nine-digit Business Number where required
- Use one BN for the same business or legal entity
- Add applicable CRA program accounts to an existing BN
- Provide required business and ownership information
- Avoid unnecessary duplicate BN registrations
- Receive your Business Number once registration is completed
Tax ID Set Up
- Identify the Canadian business identifier you need
- Check whether your business already has a Business Number
- Use an existing BN when adding CRA program accounts
- Determine which tax program account applies
- Prepare required registration information
- Receive applicable account details once available
Import/Export Set Up
- Set up an import-export program account where required
- Obtain or use the applicable nine-digit Business Number
- Register the RM account through the applicable CBSA process
- Provide required business and customs information
- Prepare information needed for import-export registration
- Receive applicable account details once available
Set Up the Right Business Accounts
A CRA Business Number is the foundation for many federal business program accounts. A business or legal entity generally uses one nine-digit BN, with additional program identifiers added when accounts such as GST/HST or payroll are required.
Not every business needs every account. The registrations that apply depend on how your business operates, whether you have employees, whether GST/HST registration applies, and which other government programs are relevant to your activities.
Why Choose BC Business Register for Account Setup?
✓ Multiple Account Services: Get support with Business Number, GST/HST, payroll, charity, workers’ compensation, and import-export registrations.
✓ Account-Specific Preparation: Information is organized according to the account or registration service selected.
✓ Existing BN Review: Use an existing Business Number where appropriate instead of creating unnecessary duplicate registrations.
✓ Related Registration Support: Access services involving CRA, provincial workers’ compensation authorities, and CBSA.
✓ Clear Next Steps: Understand which registration process applies to the account or service you select.
Which Business Accounts May Apply?
A Business Number identifies a business or legal entity, while program accounts identify specific tax or reporting activities. CRA program accounts generally use the same nine-digit BN followed by a two-letter program identifier and reference number.
A GST/HST account (RT) is used for GST/HST registration and reporting. A payroll deductions account (RP) is used for applicable payroll deductions and remittances. Incorporated businesses may also have a corporation income tax account (RC), while registered charities use an RR program account.
Some services on this page are not CRA accounts. Workers’ compensation is administered provincially, with WorkSafeBC serving British Columbia and WSIB serving Ontario. Import-export RM accounts are administered by the Canada Border Services Agency through the applicable customs registration process.
Choosing only the accounts and registrations that apply to your business can make ongoing reporting and compliance easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about CRA Business Numbers, GST/HST accounts, payroll accounts, charity registration, workers’ compensation, and import-export registration.
A CRA Business Number, or BN, is a unique nine-digit number used to identify a business or legal entity when dealing with applicable government programs. Program identifiers are added to the BN when specific CRA program accounts are opened.
No. An unincorporated business does not automatically need a BN simply because it operates. A Business Number may be required when the business needs a CRA program account or completes another registration process that assigns one.
No. The nine-digit Business Number identifies the business or legal entity. A GST/HST account adds the RT program identifier and a reference number to that BN.
The same nine-digit Business Number can generally be used with multiple CRA program accounts. Depending on the business, these may include GST/HST, payroll deductions, corporation income tax, and other applicable program accounts.
GST/HST registration depends on the business’s activities and applicable registration rules. Some businesses are required to register, while eligible businesses may choose voluntary registration.
A payroll deductions account may be required when a business becomes an employer or otherwise pays amounts that are subject to payroll withholding and remittance requirements.
Canada generally uses a Business Number and applicable program accounts rather than a separate universal corporate Tax ID. The correct identifier depends on the type of registration or tax account the business requires.
Registered charity status is granted through a separate CRA application process. An organization must meet the applicable requirements for charitable registration before it can receive registered charity status and an RR program account.
No. WSIB is Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. In British Columbia, workers’ compensation coverage is administered by WorkSafeBC.
No. WSIB employers may be assigned different payroll reporting frequencies, including monthly, quarterly, or annual reporting. The applicable schedule depends on the employer’s circumstances.
Businesses that hire workers in British Columbia are generally required to register for WorkSafeBC insurance coverage. Requirements can differ for self-employed individuals and other business arrangements.
Import-export RM program accounts are administered by the Canada Border Services Agency, not CRA. The nine-digit Business Number is still used as part of the account structure, but the applicable import-export registration is completed through the CBSA process.
Yes. A non-resident business may be able to obtain a Canadian Business Number and applicable program accounts when required. The registration process depends on the business’s activities and the accounts it needs.