How Do I Create a CRA Account and Use My Account?
CRA My Account is the online portal individuals use to view personal tax and benefit information. It can show tax slips, return status, notices, account balances and other information that is useful before and after filing.
Registration has changed over time, so use the current Canada.ca registration page rather than an old tutorial.
Who can register?
The CRA says most people registering with a CRA user ID/password or a Sign-In Partner need a Social Insurance Number and a filed and assessed tax return from the current or previous tax year. Alberta and British Columbia residents may have a provincial-partner option with different requirements.
Choose a sign-in method
Current options include a CRA user ID and password, a participating financial institution through Sign-In Partner, and provincial partner options for eligible Alberta and British Columbia residents. Whichever option you choose becomes the normal way you sign in.
Verify your identity
Full account access requires identity verification. The CRA offers a document-verification process for eligible users or a security code sent by mail. Limited services may be available before full verification.
What you can do in My Account
- View tax-return and refund status.
- Access notices of assessment and reassessment.
- View many tax slips after the CRA receives them.
- Check benefits and credits.
- Review account balances and payment information.
- Update certain personal information and manage direct deposit through the CRA’s secure process.
A security reminder
Do not register with someone else’s banking credentials, even if they are helping you. The CRA warns that linking your SIN to someone else’s Sign-In Partner credentials can expose your tax information.
FAQ
Can I register if I have never filed a tax return?
For most registration methods, no. The CRA says you generally need a recently filed and assessed return, with an exception for eligible provincial-partner registration in Alberta or British Columbia.
Can I use online banking to sign in?
Yes, if your financial institution is a participating Sign-In Partner.
Can my accountant use my login?
Do not share personal login credentials. Representatives should use the CRA authorization and Represent a Client process.
Call to action
GROWS Financial can help you understand which tax documents to retrieve from your CRA account and how those documents fit into your filing.
Related services: Personal Tax.
Related reading: What Is a Notice of Assessment and Where Can I Find It?
Official sources for fact-checking
Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.