How to Get a CRA Business Number: Registration Steps Explained

You just landed your first client as a freelance consultant in Ontario, or maybe you started a small construction company in Alberta. Your first invoice goes out, but then you realize you don't have a CRA business number. Without it, you cannot charge GST/HST, remit payroll deductions, or open a business account with some banks. The clock is ticking: if you bill over $30,000 in four consecutive quarters, you must register for GST/HST immediately. This guide walks through the exact steps for cra business number registration canada, so you can get your number quickly and avoid penalties.

If you are not sure whether you need to register for GST/HST yet, start with our guide on when do you need to register for GST/HST in Canada. That article covers the $30,000 threshold and exceptions for small suppliers.

What Is a CRA Business Number and Why Do You Need One?

The CRA business number (BN) is a nine-digit identifier assigned to your business. It is not the same as your social insurance number. The BN is used for all your dealings with the Canada Revenue Agency: filing taxes, collecting GST/HST, remitting payroll deductions, importing goods, and more. Think of it as a single account number that links to different program accounts. For example, a typical small business will have a BN with one or more of these program accounts:

• RT (GST/HST) for collecting sales tax
• RP (payroll) for source deductions
• RC (corporate income tax) for corporations
• RM (import/export) for customs

Without a BN, you cannot legally collect GST/HST or remit payroll deductions. The CRA can assess penalties for failing to register on time, including a penalty of up to $250 for each month you are late registering for GST/HST (if you exceed the threshold). For a concrete example, consider a freelance graphic designer in British Columbia who hit $30,000 in billings in March and did not register until July. That is four months late: a possible penalty of $1,000.

Many new business owners try to use their personal SIN for business taxes, but that creates confusion. The CRA requires a separate BN for business activities. Once you have a BN, you can add program accounts as your business grows. For example, if you start with just a GST/HST number but later hire employees, you add a payroll account to the same BN.

Step-by-Step Registration Process for a CRA Business Number

You can register online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online is the fastest and most common method. The entire process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes if you have all the required information ready. Below is the workflow for each method.

Register Online Through the CRA Business Registration (BR) Service

The CRA's Business Registration online service lets you apply for a BN and up to two program accounts in one session. You will need:

• Your personal SIN or temporary SIN
• Your legal name and date of birth
• Business name (as registered with your province, if applicable)
• Business address and mailing address
• Description of business activity (e.g., "web design", "landscaping")
• Estimated annual revenue (in Canadian dollars)
• Ownership structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other
• For partnerships: names and SINs of all partners
• For corporations: the incorporation number from your provincial or federal articles of incorporation

The online form is dynamic. It asks a series of questions and then displays your BN immediately upon successful submission. You will also receive a confirmation letter by mail within 2 weeks, but you can print or save the confirmation page as proof.

Register by Phone or Mail

If you prefer not to use the online service, call the CRA Business Window at 1-800-959-5525 (available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time). Have the same information ready. The agent will create your BN over the phone and give you the number immediately. You can also mail form RC1, Request for a Business Number, to your local tax services office. Mailed applications take 4 to 6 weeks to process, so this is not recommended if you need the number soon.

In-Person Registration at Service Canada

Some Service Canada centres can register you for a BN. You will need to book an appointment. Bring your SIN and any supporting documents. This method is less common but works if you need help filling out the forms.

What Information Do You Need to Register for a CRA Business Number?

Collecting the right documents beforehand saves time. The table below summarizes what you need for each business structure.

One common mistake is forgetting to have your business name already registered provincially if you are using a name other than your own. Many sole proprietors skip this step and then cannot open a business bank account. You can register your business name through your provincial registry (e.g., ServiceOntario, BC Registries, etc.) before applying for your BN. However, the CRA does not require provincial registration to issue a BN; you can use your personal name as the business name.

After You Get Your Business Number: What Comes Next?

Once you have your BN, you need to activate the program accounts that apply to your situation. The most common ones are GST/HST and payroll.

Adding a GST/HST Program Account

If you will be charging GST/HST (or QST in Quebec), you must add an RT account. You can do this online through My Business Account or by calling the CRA. The CRA will ask you to select your filing frequency: monthly, quarterly, or annually. Most small businesses choose annually if their sales are below the threshold, but check the rules. Note that in Quebec, Revenu Quebec handles QST, and you may need a separate registration.

For full details on registering for HST, see our step-by-step guide on how to register for HST in Canada. That article covers provincial differences and the Quebec-specific process.

Adding a Payroll Program Account

If you hire employees, you must set up a payroll (RP) account. This allows you to remit source deductions: CPP or QPP, EI, and income tax. You need to know your remittance frequency (e.g., quarterly, if the total deductions are under $3,000 per month). The CRA can penalize you heavily for late remittances, so get it right from the start.

For payroll setup, you will need to configure tax settings and understand provincial deductions like Employer Health Tax (EHT) in Ontario or health premiums in British Columbia. Awditify's Help Center walks through this in the guide how to use payroll tax settings in Awditify - WCB & EHT guide. While Awditify simplifies payroll for Canadian businesses, the principles apply to any payroll software.

Opening a Business Bank Account

Most banks require your BN to open a business account, especially if you plan to accept credit card payments or need a business line of credit. Once you have your BN, you can use it to speed up the bank's verification process.

Common Mistakes in CRA Business Number Registration

Even with the straightforward process, business owners and even CPAs make errors. Here are the most common pitfalls.

• Registering for the wrong program accounts. Some sole proprietors get a GST/HST number when they do not need one (because they are a small supplier under $30,000). They then have to file returns even with zero sales. Only register if you are required or if you want to claim input tax credits. Conversely, many forget to register for payroll before their first pay run and face late-filing penalties.
• Using personal information instead of business information. If you operate as a corporation, use the corporation's details, not your personal SIN. Mixing them up creates a tangled CRA account that is difficult to fix.
• Not updating your BN after a business change. If you incorporate, change your business name, or switch provinces, you must update your BN registration. Failure to do so can cause mismatched returns and delays in refunds.
• Missing the Quebec nuance. In Quebec, you also need a NEQ (enterprise number) from Revenu Quebec, and your CRA BN alone does not let you collect QST. Always check provincial requirements.

A Real-World Scenario: How a Sole Proprietor Registers for a Business Number

Let us walk through a typical case. Maria lives in Victoria, BC, and does freelance bookkeeping. She has been earning about $2,000 per month for six months, but recently signed a contract worth $25,000. Combined with her existing revenue, she will exceed $30,000 in the next quarter. She decides to register proactively.

Maria gathers her SIN and decides to use her own name as the business name. She goes to the CRA Business Registration page and selects "Sole Proprietorship." She enters her personal details, her home address as the business address, and selects "bookkeeping services" as the activity. She also requests a GST/HST (RT) account. The system asks for her estimated annual revenue ($40,000) and her fiscal year end (December 31). Within minutes, she receives her BN and GST/HST number. She prints the confirmation page. She also opts to receive CRA correspondence electronically through My Business Account.

A few days later, Maria realizes she also needs to register in BC for PST (provincial sales tax) because bookkeeping services are generally exempt from PST in BC, but some clients might need a separate PST number. She visits BC's eTaxBC site and registers for a PST number, linking it to her CRA BN. She now has all the tax accounts she needs.

This scenario highlights why planning ahead matters. If Maria had waited until after she billed the big contract, she would have had to include GST/HST on that invoice retroactively or absorb the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a CRA business number if I am a sole proprietor?

Yes, if you charge GST/HST or have employees. Even if you do not meet those conditions, a BN is useful for opening business bank accounts and separating personal and business finances. You can register voluntarily.

How long does it take to get a CRA business number?

Online registration gives you the BN immediately. Phone registration takes about 10-15 minutes on the call, and you receive the number during that call. Mail takes 4-6 weeks.

Can I get a CRA business number without a business name?

Yes. You can register as a sole proprietorship using your legal name as the business name. You do not need a registered business name, but if you plan to use a trade name, you should register it provincially first.

What is the difference between a BN and a GST/HST number?

The BN is the base identifier. The GST/HST number is a program account under the BN. For example, a BN might be 123456789, and its GST/HST account would be 123456789 RT0001. You need the BN first, then you add program accounts.

What software can help me manage my CRA business number and payroll?

awditify is a Canadian cloud platform that handles BN-linked payroll, GST/HST tracking, and remittance reminders. It automatically calculates CPP, EI, and income tax deductions, generates ROEs, and helps you stay on top of CRA filing deadlines. For accounting firms and municipalities, Awditify also offers practice management and PSAB reporting features that tie directly to your business number.

What to Do Next

The CRA business number is the key to operating a legal, tax-compliant business in Canada. The registration process itself is simple once you have the right information ready. But the real work begins after you get the number: setting up GST/HST filing, payroll remittance, and maintaining clean records. Many new business owners underestimate the ongoing compliance burden. Using a dedicated Canadian accounting platform like awditify can automate much of this: from automatic bank feed categorization to payroll tax calculations and GST/HST return preparation. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and CRA web forms, you get one dashboard that syncs with your business number and keeps you audit-ready. If you are ready to streamline your finances, book a demo to see how Awditify works for Canadian businesses like yours.