How to Get a CRA Business Number and Find Your Existing BN in Canada
Find out whether your Canadian business already has a 9-digit CRA business number, when you need one, and how to register through Business Registration Online. Since July 14, 2026, BRO is accessed through a CRA account.
CA Canada
Business ~ 10 min read
8 FAQ
Updated 2026-10-02
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A CRA business number (BN) is the unique 9-digit number used to identify a business or legal entity. Before applying, check whether your business already has one because a business can have only one BN. Canadian residents with a valid SIN generally register online through Business Registration Online (BRO). Since July 14, 2026, you must sign in to your CRA account to access BRO. If you already have a BN, use that number when adding GST/HST, payroll or other CRA program accounts instead of registering for another BN.
What you need
- For the resident registration route, you must be a Canadian resident with a valid Social Insurance Number; this includes a temporary SIN beginning with 9, subject to program-specific restrictions.
- Check whether the business already has a 9-digit BN before applying for a new one.
- To use BRO, sign in to your CRA account.
- Have the required owner, business, address and business-activity information ready before starting.
- Have program-specific information ready if you are also registering for GST/HST, payroll or another CRA program account.
- If you cannot complete BRO, use the CRA's applicable mail registration process, including Form RC1 where permitted.
Eligibility
This procedure is for Canadian residents with a Canadian business who need a new CRA business number or need to add CRA program accounts. Not every business needs a BN. You generally need one when you need a CRA program account, such as GST/HST or payroll, or when your business is incorporated. Businesses that already have a BN must use the existing number. Non-residents and certain other applicants use the CRA's separate non-resident registration process.
How to do it
- Determine whether your business actually needs a BN or CRA program account.
- Check business records, your CRA account and applicable official registries to make sure a BN has not already been assigned.
- Gather owner information, SINs, legal and operating names, addresses, business type, activity details and incorporation information where applicable.
- Sign in to your CRA account and select + Add account, Business account, then Register a business.
- Complete the Business Registration Online questions and select only the CRA program accounts your business needs.
- Save or print the BN and program account details shown during the online registration because the CRA states that the BN will not be sent separately.
- If BRO cannot be used, complete the appropriate CRA mail registration process, including Form RC1 when applicable.
What is a CRA business number?
A business number (BN) is a unique 9-digit identifier for a business or legal entity. It is used when dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency and participating federal, provincial, territorial and municipal programs.
A business can have only one BN. When you register for CRA program accounts, the program accounts are connected to the same 9-digit number rather than creating a new BN.
A CRA program account adds a two-letter program identifier and a four-digit reference number. For example, GST/HST uses RT, payroll deductions uses RP, corporation income tax uses RC and information returns uses RZ. A first GST/HST account can therefore appear as 123456789RT0001.
How do you find your existing business number?
Before registering for a new BN, check whether the CRA has already assigned one to your business. You may already have a BN if you previously registered with the CRA, incorporated federally, registered or incorporated through certain provinces, or started a BRO registration that ended unexpectedly.
The CRA recommends these ways to find an existing BN:
- Check CRA letters, notices and other business records.
- Check confirmation details you saved or printed after a previous registration.
- If My Business Account is already added to your CRA account, sign in and check the Welcome page.
- If you registered through a province or territory, check that government's online business account or portal.
- Search an applicable official business registry, such as Corporations Canada for federal corporations.
- If you still cannot find the BN, contact the CRA so an agent can resolve the issue or complete the registration.
Do not apply for another BN simply because you cannot remember your existing number. The CRA states that a business or legal entity can have only one BN.
Does every business in Canada need a business number?
No. Not every business needs a BN. The CRA states that you need one when you need a GST/HST, payroll deductions or another CRA program account, or when your business is incorporated.
An unincorporated business does not automatically need a BN simply because it begins operating. The requirement generally arises when it needs to register for a CRA program account or another participating government program requires the BN.
If you are starting as a sole proprietor, see the separate guide to register a sole proprietorship in Canada.
Can you receive a BN without registering directly with the CRA?
Yes. A BN can be assigned as part of certain federal or provincial business registrations.
Federal incorporation
When a federal incorporation is approved, the corporation receives a BN and a corporation income tax (RC) program account. You do not need to apply separately to the CRA for another BN or initial RC account.
If you are considering this business structure, see how to incorporate a business federally.
Provincial registration or incorporation
The CRA states that a BN is issued through registration or incorporation processes in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
If you incorporate in one of these provinces, you also receive a corporation income tax (RC) program account as part of that process.
The CRA states that you do not receive a BN through the provincial or territorial registration process in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec or Yukon. If a BN is required, you must register separately with the CRA.
What information do you need to get a business number?
Gather your information before starting BRO because the CRA states that the online registration cannot be saved and the BRO session times out after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Depending on your business and the program accounts you are opening, the CRA may ask for:
- names, titles and telephone numbers of owners
- Social Insurance Numbers of owners
- the legal and operating business names
- mailing and physical addresses
- business type, such as sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation
- a description of the major business activity
- main products or services and their estimated percentage of revenue
- incorporation date, jurisdiction and certificate number, if applicable
- your existing 9-digit BN if one has already been assigned.
Additional information is required when you register for particular CRA program accounts. For example, GST/HST registration may require sales, effective-date and fiscal-year information, while payroll registration may require employee, payroll and first-pay-date information.
How do you get a CRA business number online?
For Canadian residents with a valid SIN, including individuals with a temporary SIN beginning with 9, the CRA provides Business Registration Online (BRO) as the main online registration route.
Since July 14, 2026, BRO is accessible through a CRA account. To start:
- Sign in to your CRA account.
- On the Welcome page, select + Add account.
- Select Business account.
- Select Register a business.
- Continue through Business Registration Online and provide the requested business information.
- Register for the CRA program accounts your business actually needs.
- When registration is completed, save or print your BN and program account details before leaving the service.
BRO is available daily except during scheduled maintenance from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
What should you know before starting BRO?
The CRA identifies several practical restrictions:
- your BRO information cannot be saved during registration
- the session times out after 10 minutes of inactivity
- you must save or print the BN for your records because it will not be sent to you separately
- if BRO does not accept your postal code, you must use the CRA's mail registration route.
BRO also cannot be used for every business situation. For example, restrictions apply to reactivating previously closed program accounts and certain ownership structures. Use the registration method specified by the CRA for your situation rather than creating a second BN.
What if you cannot register through Business Registration Online?
If a Canadian resident business cannot complete registration using BRO, the CRA provides a mail route. Complete the applicable sections of Form RC1, Request for a Business Number and Certain Program Accounts, sign it and send it to the appropriate CRA tax centre.
RC1 can be used for a BN and specified program accounts including GST/HST (RT), payroll deductions (RP), corporation income tax (RC), registered charity (RR) and information returns (RZ).
Not every CRA program account can be opened with RC1. Some accounts have a separate registration process, so check the applicable program before submitting the form.
What if your temporary SIN starts with 9?
Canadian residents with a temporary SIN beginning with 9 can use BRO to register for a BN and most CRA program accounts.
There is an important GST/HST distinction. The CRA states that a sole proprietor with a temporary SIN beginning with 9 must use BRO for GST/HST registration, while directors, partners and trustees with a temporary SIN beginning with 9 must register for GST/HST by sending Form RC1 to the CRA.
Do non-residents use the same registration process?
No. This procedure covers Canadian residents with a Canadian business. The CRA provides a separate non-resident registration process when, for example, the business is incorporated outside Canada, the business is located outside Canada, the applicant's SIN begins with 0, or the applicant does not have a SIN.
Do not use the resident BRO instructions if the CRA's non-resident registration criteria apply to you.
Is a business number the same as a GST/HST number?
No. The 9-digit BN identifies the business or legal entity. A GST/HST account is a CRA program account attached to that BN and uses the RT program identifier plus a reference number.
If you do not already have a BN when you register for GST/HST, the CRA can assign a BN as part of that registration. If you already have a BN, use it rather than requesting another one.
Whether GST/HST registration is mandatory depends on separate GST/HST rules. See how to register for a GST/HST account with the CRA.
What if you need a payroll deductions account?
A payroll deductions account is another CRA program account connected to your existing BN. Its program identifier is RP. If you already have a BN, do not obtain another BN when you become an employer.
See the separate steps to register a CRA payroll deductions account.
What if your business is in Quebec?
A business in Quebec can still require a federal BN and applicable CRA program accounts. However, GST/HST administration for businesses physically located in Quebec is generally handled by Revenu Québec rather than through the standard CRA GST/HST registration route.
The BN should also not be confused with the Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ). The CRA specifically lists the NEQ as a number that cannot be substituted for an existing 9-digit BN when CRA registration asks for the BN.
What about an import-export RM account?
Import-export program registration is administered by the Canada Border Services Agency through the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system (CARM), rather than through the CRA's standard program-account registration process.
If your business needs to import commercial goods, see how to register for an import-export RM account through CARM.
What should you do after you get your BN?
Save the 9-digit BN with your permanent business records. When you later need another CRA program account, use the existing BN rather than registering for a new one.
Getting a BN does not automatically open every CRA program account your business may need. GST/HST, payroll and other programs have their own registration conditions and obligations.
A BN also does not by itself incorporate your business, register every provincial business name or satisfy federal, provincial, territorial or municipal permit and licensing requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a CRA business number in Canada?
Canadian residents with a valid SIN generally register through Business Registration Online. Since July 14, 2026, you must sign in to your CRA account to access BRO. Check first whether your business already has a BN.
How can I find my existing business number?
Check CRA letters and notices, saved registration confirmations and your CRA account. You may also be able to find the BN through the provincial or territorial portal where you registered or through an applicable official business registry. If you still cannot find it, contact the CRA.
What is a CRA business number?
A BN is the unique 9-digit number used to identify a business or legal entity when dealing with the CRA and participating government programs. A business can have only one BN.
Does every Canadian business need a business number?
No. The CRA states that not every business requires a BN. You need one when you need a CRA program account or when your business is incorporated, among other participating-government uses.
Do I need a new BN when I register for GST/HST or payroll?
Not if your business already has a BN. GST/HST, payroll and other CRA program accounts are added to the existing 9-digit BN.
Do I need a CRA account to use Business Registration Online?
Yes. Since July 14, 2026, BRO is accessible through a CRA account. From the CRA account Welcome page, select + Add account, Business account, then Register a business.
Can I save my BRO registration and finish it later?
No. The CRA states that information entered in BRO cannot be saved and the session times out after 10 minutes of inactivity. Gather the required information before starting.
What if I cannot use Business Registration Online?
The CRA provides a mail registration route for Canadian resident businesses that cannot complete BRO. Form RC1 can be used for a BN and certain program accounts, including GST/HST, payroll deductions, corporation income tax, registered charity and information returns.
Official sources
Canada Revenue Agency - Business number and CRA program accountsCanada Revenue Agency - When you need a BNCanada Revenue Agency - Ways to find an existing business numberCanada Revenue Agency - Gather your informationCanada Revenue Agency - Register as a resident with a Canadian businessCanada Revenue Agency - Register as a non-resident doing business in CanadaCanada Revenue Agency - RC1 Request for a Business Number and Certain Program AccountsCanada Revenue Agency - Register for a GST/HST accountRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Canada.
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