How to get a CRA Business Number
A Business Number (BN) is the 9-digit identifier the CRA uses to track your business across every account you have with them - GST/HST, payroll, corporate tax, import/export. Most incorporated businesses get one automatically. Sole proprietors register one when they first need a CRA account.
Updated June 2026.
What a BN looks like
A full account number looks like 123456789 RT 0001:
- 123456789 - the 9-digit Business Number, shared across all your CRA accounts.
- RT - the program account suffix (RT = GST/HST).
- 0001 - the reference number for that specific account (most businesses only ever have one of each type).
Common program accounts
| Suffix | Account | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| RT | GST/HST | Once worldwide taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 in any four consecutive quarters, or voluntarily before. |
| RP | Payroll deductions | The moment you hire your first employee (including yourself as a T4 salary). |
| RC | Corporate income tax | Automatically opened when you incorporate. You file a T2 every fiscal year. |
| RM | Import/export | If you import or export commercial goods across the Canadian border. |
When you don’t need a BN yet
A sole proprietor with no employees, under the GST/HST threshold, who doesn’t import or export - doesn’t need a BN. They report business income on their personal T1 using their SIN. The moment any of those conditions changes, register a BN.
How incorporated businesses get a BN
When you incorporate federally through Corporations Canada, or provincially through most online registries, the CRA is notified automatically and a BN with an RC corporate tax account is created. You’ll receive it by mail or via your CRA My Business Account within a few weeks.
Online incorporators like Ownr request the BN as part of their flow so it’s issued faster.
How sole proprietors get a BN
Register through Business Registration Online (BRO) on the CRA website. You’ll need:
- Your legal name, SIN, date of birth.
- Your business name (legal or registered trade name), address, and description of activities.
- Fiscal year-end (Dec 31 for sole proprietors).
- The program accounts you want to open: RT, RP, RM as needed.
The registration is free and takes 10–15 minutes. You receive the BN immediately on screen.
Adding more program accounts later
You can add program accounts at any time via CRA My Business Account, by phone (1-800-959-5525), or by mail with form RC1A. Most accounting software (Zoho Books, Xero) will prompt you when you start using a feature that requires one.
Provincial business numbers
Some provinces issue their own numbers:
- Ontario: Business Identification Number (BIN), issued at ServiceOntario registration.
- Quebec: Numéro d’entreprise du Québec (NEQ), 10 digits, issued by REQ.
- BC and Alberta: Use the federal BN with their provincial registries via OneStop.
FAQ
Is my BN public?
The BN itself is treated as semi-public - it appears on invoices and customs documents. The CRA accounts attached to it (your filings, balances) are confidential.
What if I lose my BN?
Sign into CRA My Business Account, or call 1-800-959-5525. They’ll verify your identity and give it to you.
Do I need a BN to open a business bank account?
Banks usually ask for one if you’re incorporated. For sole proprietors operating under their own name, a SIN is generally accepted.
Next steps
- Register for GST/HST - add the RT account.
- Visit the grow hub for payroll setup guidance - add the RP account.
- Open a business bank account - see our comparison.
Last updated: June 4, 2026. We review this page when rules or pricing change. Spot an error?