How to sign in to your CRA My Account step by step.

With tax season almost here, most of us are starting to get all the preparation out of the way, which would include making sure you can log into your CRA My Account. If that sounds a little unfamiliar, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll explain what your CRA My Account is and how to log into your account!

Click the links below to jump to the section you need in the article:

• What is CRA My Account?

• How do I set up my CRA My Account?

• How to sign in with the Sign-In Partner option

• Additional things to know about your CRA My Account

What is a CRA My Account?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account is a secure portal that allows you to see and manage tax-related documents and benefit information online. Your CRA My Account also has many other useful features that are available 24/7 online.

Additional features include:

• Tracking your refund

• Viewing or changing your return

• Checking benefit and credit payments

• Viewing your RRSP limit

• Setting up direct deposit

• Access to your Notice of Assessment (NOA)

• Downloading your information slips (such as T4s)

But this isn’t a full list of all the services you can access with your CRA My Account, for a full list of services check out the government website.

If you have a CRA My Account, this can help make filing your tax return a little easier too! You’ll be able to use the Auto-fill my Return (AFR) service in H&R Block’s tax software to automatically complete parts of your return with information the CRA has on file for you!

How to sign in to my CRA My Account

Now there are two ways to sign-in to your CRA My Account. Your options are:

1. With a Sign-In Partner (such as your bank); or
2. By creating a CRA user ID and password.

It’s important to note that you'll need to have your current and/or previous tax return handy. As a part of its security process, the CRA will ask for a certain amount from a specific line of your tax return.

How to sign in with the Sign-In Partner option

​​This option uses a financial institution to help verify your identity when signing into your CRA My Account. Select your Sign-In Partner (such as your financial institution). For a full list of sign-in partners, you can check out the federal government’s site.

Logging in with a sign-in partner can be broken down into 5 steps.

1. On the CRA’s My Account for Individuals page, click the Sign-In Partner button.
2. Select your Sign-In Partner (such as your financial institution).
3. You’ll be taken to your sign-in partner’s website. Log in with your username and password that you normally use for this website.
4. Enter the requested information (such as your social insurance number, date of birth, current postal code, and an amount from your current or previous tax return).
5. Once you complete the registration process, you’ll have instant access to some of your tax information.

After completing your registration, you’ll have limited access to your CRA My Account. Within 10 business days, you’ll receive a letter from the CRA with a security code. When you log into your account afterwards, you’ll be prompted to enter the CRA security code you received. After you enter your code, you’ll be able to access all the services offered within My Account.

But it is worth keeping in mind that your CRA security code does have an expiry date. So, it’s best practice to follow all the instructions in the letter before the code expires.

How to sign in by creating a CRA user ID and password

1. On the CRA’s My Account for Individuals page, click the CRA register button.
2. Enter your Social insurance number and click Next.
3. Enter the requested information (such as your date of birth, current postal code, and an amount from your current or previous tax return).
4. Create a CRA user ID and password.
5. Create your security questions and answers.
6. Once you complete the registration process, you’ll have instant access to some of your tax information.

After completing your registration, you’ll have limited access to your CRA My Account. Within 10 business days, you’ll receive a letter from the CRA with a security code. When you log into your account afterwards, you’ll be prompted to enter the CRA security code you received. After you enter your code, you’ll be able to access all the services offered within My Account.

But it is worth keeping in mind that your CRA security code does have an expiry date. So, it’s best practice to follow all instructions in the letter before the code expires.

Additional things to know about your CRA My Account

Back in October of 2021, the CRA added an additional layer of security to their online services called Multi-factor authentication (MFA). On top of your user ID and password, you have the option of verifying your identity with:

1. Telephone (entering a one-time passcode sent to you by text or given to you over the phone)
2. Passcode grid

Telephone/One-time Passcode

If you choose to go with the telephone option, you will need to provide either a cell phone or landline number. Each time you sign in, you will be required to enter a code that will either be sent via SMS text or in an automated message to the phone number provided.

The code will be good for one single sign in use and a new passcode will be required each time you sign in.

Passcode Grid

If you choose the passcode grid, the system will generate a unique passcode grid for you. You'll be responsible for saving or printing your unique grid. The grid is styled similarly to a bingo card. Each time you log in, the CRA will ask you to enter different combinations of the row and columns on your grid card.

How to set up your MFA

To set up MFA, follow these steps:

1. Log into your CRA My Account using your user ID and password or by selecting your sign-in partner.
2. Click your Personal Profile in the top blue banner.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find CRA security options.
4. Under Multi-factor authentication settings, click Continue.

You’ll see a pop-up explaining MFA enrolment. Select the checkbox confirming that you’ve read the above information and click Next. You’ll only see this screen if it’s your first time setting up a MFA.

If you still have any questions about how to register or log in, or could use some photo references, check out our Help Article for step-by-step images and common questions!

Ready to begin filing your return? File confidently with H&R Block’s Do It Yourself Tax Software! Feeling a little shaky about filing alone? Don’t worry! H&R Block has additional features such as Remote Tax Expert, Ask a Tax Expert and Expert Review to make filing your return a breeze.