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CRA My Account: How to Register and Sign In as a Newcomer

3 min read

In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. How do you sign in?
  3. What if you forgot your credentials or are locked out?
  4. A privacy warning you should not skip
  5. Common mistakes
  6. FAQ
    1. Do I need a SIN first?
    2. Can I see benefit payments there?
  7. Key takeaways
  8. Related guides
  9. Sources

CRA My Account is where you view your Canadian tax information, benefit payments and mail from the Canada Revenue Agency. For newcomers it is one of the first online accounts worth setting up. This guide covers how sign-in works, what to do if you are locked out and one important warning about shared devices, based on canada.ca.

Quick answer

  • You reach My Account through the CRA account sign-in page, which also covers My Business Account, Represent a Client, the Registered Plan Administrator account and Non-Resident Withholding Tax.
  • You can sign in with a Sign-In Partner (a participating bank), a CRA user ID and password, or a provincial partner for BC and Alberta.
  • If you have no credential yet, choose the registration option.

How do you sign in?

Option What it means
Sign-In Partner Use online banking credentials from a participating partner
CRA user ID and password Use your existing CRA credential
Provincial partner Available for British Columbia and Alberta
Register Create a new CRA account if you have no credential

What if you forgot your credentials or are locked out?

You can recover a forgotten CRA user ID or password from the sign-in page. If you lost access entirely, the CRA says going through the registration process again may help you get your access back. The CRA also states that users locked out because they forgot their credentials can register for a new credential without calling.

If you do not receive your one-time passcode, the page lists other delivery options to try.

A privacy warning you should not skip

Do not use autofill for online banking on a shared device. If you register with someone else’s banking credentials by mistake and link your SIN to them, that person will have access to your tax information. Anyone helping a friend or family member must use Represent a Client rather than their login.

Common mistakes

  • Signing in on someone else’s behalf with your own account.
  • Registering on a shared computer with autofill turned on.
  • Waiting for a call when you can simply register again.

FAQ

Do I need a SIN first?

Most newcomers do. See how to get a SIN in Canada.

Can I see benefit payments there?

Benefit and credit payments are administered by the CRA. Our guide to taxes for newcomers to Canada explains who qualifies.

Key takeaways

  • Pick one sign-in method and keep the details safe.
  • Re-register if you are locked out.
  • Never use autofill on shared devices.

Last updated: October 2026. General information, not tax advice. Confirm with the CRA.

Sources

  • Canada Revenue Agency (canada.ca): Sign in to your CRA account

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