CRA My Account — Complete Guide 2026

Everything you can do in CRA My Account: view your NOA, check RRSP room, track benefit payments, set up direct deposit, and file online.

CRA My Account is the Canada Revenue Agency's secure online portal for individuals. It centralizes your entire tax and benefit history in one place, letting you view past returns, check your RRSP contribution room, update your address, set up direct deposit, and much more — all without calling the CRA. Over 16 million Canadians use CRA My Account, and setting it up takes about 15 minutes.

How to Register for CRA My Account

There are three ways to access CRA My Account:

  1. Sign-In Partner: Use your existing online banking credentials from a participating Canadian financial institution (TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, and others). This is the fastest method — no waiting for a CRA security code.
  2. Provincial Partner: Available in Alberta (Alberta.ca Account), British Columbia (BC Services Card), and Ontario (Ontario.ca credentials).
  3. CRA User ID and Password: Create a dedicated CRA login. The CRA mails you a security code to your address on file — this takes 5–10 business days. Once received, enter the code to activate full access.

After registering, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) immediately. You can use SMS codes or a TOTP authenticator app. This is the single most important step to protect your tax account from fraud.

What You Can Do in CRA My Account

View Tax Returns & NOAs

Access all previously filed T1 returns and Notices of Assessment going back several years. Review assessed income, tax payable, refund history, and any CRA adjustments.

Check RRSP Contribution Room

View your exact RRSP deduction limit, unused carryforward room, and any HBP or LLP repayment amounts owing. The most accurate source for RRSP room.

TFSA Contribution Room

View your available TFSA room, contribution and withdrawal history as reported by institutions, and cumulative totals. Note: data may lag up to 6 months.

Benefit & Credit Payments

View upcoming CCB, GST/HST credit, CAI, and OAS payment amounts and dates. Review full payment history going back multiple years.

Direct Deposit Setup

Set up or update direct deposit for refunds and benefits using your transit number, institution number, and account number. Changes activate within 5 business days.

Auto-fill My Return

Authorize certified NETFILE software to pull your T slips, RRSP data, and carryforward amounts directly — eliminating manual entry and reducing errors.

Update Personal Information

Change your mailing address, phone number, and marital status. Register for online mail to receive all CRA correspondence electronically.

Submit Documents Online

Upload receipts and supporting documents in response to CRA review requests. Faster than mailing; you receive electronic confirmation of receipt.

File a Notice of Objection

If you disagree with your NOA, file online within 90 days of the NOA date (or one year after the filing deadline, whichever is later).

Viewing Your Notice of Assessment

Your NOA appears in CRA My Account within 2 weeks of electronic filing. Navigate to "Tax returns" and select the relevant year. Key lines to verify:

If any line differs from what you reported, the CRA may have made an adjustment. Review the explanation on the NOA. If you disagree, file a Notice of Objection within the deadline.

RRSP Contribution Room

Your RRSP deduction limit is 18% of your prior year's earned income up to the annual dollar limit ($32,490 for 2025), minus any pension adjustment, plus unused room from prior years. CRA My Account shows your exact current limit. The 2026 RRSP limit is expected to rise to approximately $33,810.

RRSP deadline reminder: Contributions made in the first 60 days of 2026 (by March 1, 2026) can apply to either 2025 or 2026. Check your room in My Account before contributing to avoid over-contribution penalties (1% per month on excess over $2,000).

TFSA Contribution Room

The 2026 TFSA annual limit is $7,000. If you've never contributed, your total cumulative room from 2009 onward (assuming you were 18+ in each year and a Canadian resident) is $102,000 as of 2026. My Account shows your room as of January 1, 2026 — it does not reflect contributions made in 2026 until the following year.

Caution: Financial institutions report TFSA activity to the CRA annually with a lag. Always track your own contributions separately. Over-contributing to a TFSA triggers a 1% per month penalty on the excess amount.

Setting Up Direct Deposit

  1. Log in to CRA My Account
  2. Under "Profile," select "Direct deposit"
  3. Enter: transit number (5 digits), institution number (3 digits), account number (up to 12 digits)
  4. These are on the bottom of a cheque or in your online banking app under account details
  5. Confirm — changes take 5 business days

Once set up, all CRA refunds and benefit payments deposit directly to your account. This is significantly faster than cheques (2 weeks vs. 4–6 weeks by mail).

Registering for Online Mail

Enabling online mail means the CRA sends NOAs, benefit notices, and audit requests to your My Account inbox instead of physical mail. You receive an email alert when new correspondence arrives. Manage this under "Profile" → "Manage online mail." This is more secure than paper mail and ensures you don't miss critical CRA communications.

The MyCRA Mobile App

The CRA's MyCRA app (iOS and Android) offers a streamlined mobile experience for checking benefit payments, viewing RRSP/TFSA room, updating your address, and setting up direct deposit. It's a simplified interface compared to the full portal — ideal for quick checks rather than tax filing.

Account Security Best Practices

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