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How to Use the CRA My Account Website: A Guide for Canadian Seniors

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Access Your Tax Info Online — Anytime

The CRA My Account is the Canada Revenue Agency's online portal. It lets you view your tax returns, check your benefit payments, update your address, and much more — all without calling or visiting an office. Here's how to set it up and use it safely.

What You Can Do With CRA My Account

  • View your Notice of Assessment (NOA) for any tax year
  • Check your TFSA and RRSP contribution limits
  • See when your next Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Old Age Security (OAS) payment is coming
  • Update your address, phone number, or direct deposit info
  • View and pay your tax balance
  • Apply for the Canada Child Benefit or other benefits
  • Print tax slips (T4, T5, etc.)

Step 1: Get Your CRA Security Code

Before you can log in for the first time, you need a security code from the CRA.

  1. Go to canada.ca/en/revenue-agency and click CRA My Account
  2. You'll be redirected to a Sign-In page. Choose Sign-In Partner (your bank) or CRA user ID and password
  3. If using Sign-In Partner: Log in through your bank's website (most Canadian banks are listed)
  4. If creating a CRA user ID: Click "CRA Register" and follow the prompts
  5. The CRA will mail a security code to the address they have on file — this takes 5-10 business days

Tip: If you need access sooner, call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 and they can help verify your identity by phone.

Step 2: Activate Your Account

  1. Once you receive your security code by mail, go back to the CRA My Account login page
  2. Log in using your bank (Sign-In Partner) or your CRA user ID
  3. When prompted, enter the security code from your letter
  4. Create new security questions and answers — choose things you'll remember
  5. Your account is now active!

Step 3: Navigating My Account

Once logged in, you'll see the main dashboard. Here are the key sections:

  • Tax Returns: View your returns and Notices of Assessment for each year
  • Benefits and Payments: See your CPP, OAS, GST/HST credit, and other benefit payment dates and amounts
  • RRSP and TFSA: Check your contribution room and limits
  • Account Settings: Update your address, phone number, and direct deposit information
  • Mail: View correspondence from the CRA (they're moving away from paper mail)

Checking Your Benefit Payments

One of the most useful features is checking when your next payment is coming:

  1. Log in to My Account
  2. Click on Benefits and Payments on the main page
  3. You'll see a list of your benefits with amounts and payment dates
  4. Click on any benefit to see more details

Common benefit payment schedule:

  • CPP: Paid monthly (usually the 3rd-to-last business day)
  • OAS: Paid monthly (same schedule as CPP)
  • GST/HST Credit: Paid quarterly (January, April, July, October)

Updating Your Direct Deposit

If you want your benefit payments deposited directly into your bank account:

  1. Log in to My Account
  2. Go to Account Settings
  3. Click Direct Deposit
  4. Enter your bank's institution number, transit number, and account number (found at the bottom of your cheques)
  5. Submit and confirm

Important Safety Reminders

  • The CRA will never email or text you asking for personal information
  • The CRA will never threaten to arrest you or demand immediate payment
  • The CRA will never ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers
  • If someone calls claiming to be from the CRA, hang up and call 1-800-959-8281 yourself to verify
  • Always log in through canada.ca — never through a link in an email

If You Get Locked Out

It happens! If you forget your password or get locked out:

  1. On the login page, click Forgot Password
  2. Follow the steps to reset it using your email or security questions
  3. If that doesn't work, call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm local time)
  4. They can help you regain access after verifying your identity

You're in Control

Having CRA My Account means you don't have to wait on hold or visit an office just to check your information. Everything is available 24/7 from the comfort of your home. Take your time setting it up, and if you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask a family member for help or call the CRA directly. Once it's set up, you'll wonder how you managed without it.