How to pay the CRA, step by step

↓ Download this guide as a printable PDF — or read on below.

Before you start, have these ready

• Individuals: your Social Insurance Number — this is your CRA account number.
• Businesses: your 15-character business number including the program suffix — for example, RT 0001 for GST, RP 0001 for payroll, RC 0001 for corporate tax. The wrong suffix sends your money to the wrong account.
• The exact amount and what it's for. Unsure? Call us before paying.

Method 1 — Online banking (most common)

Works exactly like paying a utility bill. In your bank's website or app, go to Bill Payments and add a payee — search "CRA". Choosing the right payee matters:

• CRA (revenue) — current-year tax return: the balance on the personal return you just filed.
• CRA (revenue) — tax amount owing: prior-year balances or CRA assessments.
• CRA (revenue) — tax instalment: quarterly personal instalments.
• Businesses: look for payees like "Federal – GST/HST Payment", "Federal Payroll Deductions", or "Federal – Corporation Tax Payments" (names vary slightly by bank).

Use your SIN or 15-character business number as the account number, pay, and keep the confirmation. Allow 1–2 business days for processing.

Method 2 — CRA "My Payment" (best on deadline day)

The CRA's own payment page gives immediate confirmation, making it the safest choice when a deadline is close. It accepts Interac Debit, Visa Debit, and Debit Mastercard — not credit cards — with no CRA fee. Search "My Payment" on canada.ca, select the payment type and period, enter your SIN or business number and amount, then approve through your own bank's login.

Method 3 — Pre-authorized debit (set and forget)

A pre-authorized debit lets the CRA withdraw agreed amounts on dates you choose — ideal for quarterly instalments. You can set one up in CRA My Account or My Business Account. Or simply ask us: as your authorized representative, our office can arrange PAD agreements on your behalf. Note that a new PAD needs several business days of lead time, so it isn't a same-day option.

Other options

• Credit card, PayPal, or Interac e-Transfer: you can't pay the CRA itself by card, but CRA-listed services accept these and forward your payment — paysimply.ca (card, PayPal, e-Transfer) or Plastiq (card only). Expect a service fee (roughly 2.5% on cards) and a few days' delivery time.
• Canada Post: cash or debit with a QR code (on CRA remittance vouchers, or created at paysimply.ca). Fees roughly $3.95–$7.95.
• Your bank branch: tellers can process CRA payments with a personalized remittance voucher, which must now be requested. Counter payments at a bank count as electronic for the $10,000 rule.
• Cheque (under $10,000 only): payable to the Receiver General for Canada, with a remittance voucher — and remember, received date counts, not the postmark.

Protect yourself

No legitimate CRA payment ever happens by cryptocurrency, gift cards, traveller's cheques, cash by mail, or an e-transfer to someone's personal email. Anyone demanding those — or pressuring you to pay immediately — is a scammer, no matter how official they sound. When in doubt, hang up and call our office.

After paying, keep your confirmation number. Payments appear in CRA My Account / My Business Account within a few business days; if one doesn't show up where you expect, contact us early — misapplied payments are fixable, and faster when caught quickly.