How to Set Up or Change CRA Direct Deposit for Tax Refunds and Benefits
Set up or change CRA direct deposit for tax refunds and benefit payments using your CRA account, a participating Canadian bank or credit union, or the mail-in form. Learn what banking details you need, how long updates take and which government payments must be updated separately.
CA Canada
Taxes & Money ~ 9 min read
14 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-27
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
To set up or change CRA direct deposit in 2026, sign in to your CRA account, open your Individual account, go to Profile, scroll to Direct deposit, select Edit and enter your new banking information. The CRA says an online change is updated the next business day after you provide consent. You can also enrol through a participating Canadian bank or credit union if you have already filed a tax return. If you cannot use an online method, mail the Canada direct deposit enrolment form; processing is estimated at up to 3 months or longer. Do not close your old bank account until the first payment reaches the new account. Changing CRA banking information does not update direct deposit for CPP, OAS or Employment Insurance.
What you need
- A Canadian bank account at a bank, credit union or other eligible Canadian financial institution.
- For an online CRA account change, access to your CRA account with full access to your Individual account.
- Your banking information, including the 5-digit branch or transit number, 3-digit financial institution number and account number.
- The bank account must be in your name; a joint account is also acceptable.
- If enrolling through a participating bank or credit union, the CRA says you must already have filed a tax return.
- For the mail-in form, provide the required identification, payment and banking information, sign the consent section and attach a void cheque if you choose to use one.
- If you are acting for another person, you must be legally authorized to act for them.
Eligibility
You can set up CRA direct deposit if you have a Canadian bank account and receive, or expect to receive, payments administered by the Canada Revenue Agency, such as an income tax refund or eligible CRA-administered benefit and credit payments.
The account used for direct deposit must be in your name. A joint account is acceptable. Direct deposit through the CRA is for accounts at Canadian financial institutions.
If you use a participating Canadian bank or credit union to enrol, the CRA instructs you to make sure you have already filed a tax return before registering.
To change direct deposit information for another individual, including a spouse or family member, you must be their legal representative and use the authorized representative process.
How to do it
- Get your new banking details: the 5-digit branch or transit number, 3-digit institution number and account number. These can usually be found on a cheque or electronic void cheque.
- Sign in to your CRA account and select your Individual account to open My Account.
- Select Profile.
- Scroll to Direct deposit and select Edit.
- Enter or update your banking information and provide the required consent.
- Allow until the next business day for the CRA direct deposit information to be updated.
- Keep your old bank account open until you confirm that your first CRA payment has been deposited into the new account.
- If you cannot use your CRA account, check whether your Canadian bank or credit union offers CRA direct deposit enrolment. If neither online method is available, complete and mail the Canada direct deposit enrolment form.
- Update other federal programs separately when necessary. CRA banking changes do not update CPP, OAS or Employment Insurance direct deposit information.
How to change CRA direct deposit online
The fastest way to set up or change direct deposit for CRA tax refunds and benefits is through your CRA account or a participating Canadian financial institution.
In your CRA account, select your Individual account, open Profile, scroll to Direct deposit and select Edit. Enter the banking information for the Canadian account where you want CRA payments deposited and provide your consent.
The CRA states that once consent is provided through your CRA account, your direct deposit information is updated the next business day.
What banking information do you need?
For direct deposit, you need the identifying numbers for your Canadian bank account:
- Branch or transit number: 5 digits
- Financial institution number: 3 digits
- Account number: the account number assigned by your financial institution
You can find these numbers on the bottom of a cheque. Many banks and credit unions also provide an electronic void cheque or direct deposit information through online banking.
The account must be in your name, although a joint account is acceptable.
Can you set up CRA direct deposit through your bank?
Yes. Many Canadian banks, credit unions and trust companies allow individuals to enrol in or change CRA direct deposit through their online banking services.
The CRA says that before registering through a participating financial institution, you should make sure you have already filed a tax return.
After you provide consent through a participating financial institution, the CRA states that your direct deposit information is updated the next business day.
Can you change CRA direct deposit by phone?
No. The CRA states that individuals can no longer sign up for or update direct deposit information by telephone.
If you cannot use your CRA account, first check whether your Canadian bank or credit union offers the direct deposit registration service. If you cannot use either online option, you can use the mail-in Canada direct deposit enrolment form.
How to change CRA direct deposit by mail
If you cannot enrol online, complete the Government of Canada's Canada direct deposit enrolment form and mail it to the address shown on the form.
The form is for mail-in enrolment only. It cannot be submitted by email or as an online form submission.
The form asks for identification information, the government payments to which you want the change applied, banking information and your consent.
What do you need for the mail-in form?
The form requests information including:
- your surname, given name and initials;
- your address and telephone number;
- your date of birth;
- your Social Insurance Number;
- the payment programs to which the direct deposit change should apply;
- your branch number, financial institution number and account number;
- the name of the account holder;
- your signature and consent.
You may attach a blank cheque marked VOID instead of manually providing the banking details in the applicable section. The official instructions state that you should not enclose anything other than the void cheque with the form.
How long does CRA direct deposit take to update?
| Method | Official processing information |
|---|---|
| CRA account | Updated the next business day after you provide consent |
| Participating Canadian bank or credit union | Updated the next business day after you provide consent |
| Mail-in Canada direct deposit enrolment form | Estimated up to 3 months or longer |
Until a mail-in enrolment has been processed, Government of Canada guidance states that payments will continue to be issued by cheque where applicable.
Should you close your old bank account after changing CRA direct deposit?
No, not immediately. The CRA specifically advises individuals not to close their old bank account until the first payment has been deposited into the new account.
This helps prevent a payment problem if a payment was already being processed using your previous banking information when you submitted the change.
What CRA payments use your direct deposit information?
CRA direct deposit is used to send payments administered by the Canada Revenue Agency directly to your Canadian bank account. These include income tax refunds and applicable CRA-administered benefit and credit payments.
Government of Canada direct deposit documentation includes CRA payments such as income tax refunds, the Canada Child Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit advance payments and applicable tax or benefit overpayments.
Benefit program names and availability can change over time. Your CRA account is the best place to confirm payments currently issued to you.
Does changing CRA direct deposit update CPP, OAS or EI?
No. Changing your banking information with the CRA does not automatically update direct deposit for programs administered by other federal organizations.
The CRA specifically notes that it does not administer:
- Canada Pension Plan payments;
- Old Age Security payments;
- Employment Insurance payments.
If you receive one of these payments, use the Government of Canada direct deposit service or the responsible department's process to update that payment separately.
Does CRA share your new banking information with other government departments?
You should not assume that changing direct deposit in your CRA account updates banking information held by another government department. Government of Canada guidance states that people receiving multiple federal payments may need to contact more than one department to change their banking information.
The CRA also states in its personal-information guidance that changes to personal information, including direct deposit information, are not automatically shared with other government departments for the purpose of updating their records.
Do you need to update direct deposit separately for your spouse?
Yes. CRA direct deposit information is associated with the individual taxpayer or benefit recipient. You cannot simply change another person's banking information from your own individual profile.
To make a direct deposit change for another person, including a spouse or family member, the CRA requires you to be their legal representative and use the appropriate representative access.
Can a representative change CRA direct deposit?
A legal representative can make a direct deposit change for another individual through the CRA's representative process. The CRA directs legal representatives to use Represent a Client through their CRA account.
For a paper application signed on another person's behalf, the official direct deposit form requires the representative to identify their name, role, address and telephone number. Examples of a legal representative role include a power of attorney, executor, legal guardian or public trustee.
Can you use a joint bank account for CRA direct deposit?
Yes. Government of Canada instructions state that the account must be in your name and that a joint account is acceptable.
Make sure the branch, institution and account numbers are entered exactly as shown by the financial institution.
Can CRA direct deposit go to a foreign bank account?
For the standard Canadian direct deposit procedure, you need an account at a Canadian bank or credit union. The CRA has a separate procedure for non-residents, including specific rules for people who do not have a Canadian bank account.
This procedure covers individuals using a Canadian bank account.
What happens if a CRA direct deposit does not arrive?
If a CRA direct deposit payment has not arrived, first confirm the scheduled payment date and review your CRA account to verify your direct deposit information.
The CRA instructs individuals to contact the agency if a direct deposit payment has not been received and 10 business days have passed since the payment date of the benefit or credit.
Direct deposit is different from paying the CRA
CRA direct deposit controls where the CRA sends money to you, such as tax refunds and benefits. It is not the same as authorizing the CRA to withdraw money from your bank account.
If you owe tax and want the CRA to withdraw a payment automatically, that involves a separate payment method such as a pre-authorized debit agreement.
CRA direct deposit change checklist
- Confirm that the new account is at a Canadian financial institution.
- Get the correct 5-digit branch number.
- Get the correct 3-digit financial institution number.
- Get the full account number.
- Sign in to your CRA account and open your Individual account.
- Go to Profile, Direct deposit and Edit.
- Review the new banking details before submitting them.
- Keep the old bank account open until the first CRA payment reaches the new account.
- Update CPP, OAS, EI or other government payment programs separately when required.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my CRA direct deposit information online?
Sign in to your CRA account, select your Individual account, open Profile, scroll to Direct deposit, select Edit and enter your new banking information. The CRA says the information is updated the next business day after you provide consent.
How long does it take CRA to update direct deposit?
An update made through your CRA account or a participating Canadian financial institution is updated the next business day after consent. A mail-in direct deposit enrolment form can take up to 3 months or longer.
Can I change my CRA direct deposit by phone?
No. The CRA states that individuals can no longer start or update direct deposit by telephone.
What banking information do I need for CRA direct deposit?
You need your 5-digit branch or transit number, 3-digit financial institution number and account number. The account must be in your name, although a joint account is acceptable.
Can I set up CRA direct deposit through my bank?
Yes, if your Canadian bank, credit union or trust company participates in the CRA direct deposit enrolment service. The CRA says you should already have filed a tax return before registering through a financial institution.
Should I close my old bank account after changing CRA direct deposit?
Not yet. The CRA advises keeping the old account open until your first payment has been successfully deposited into the new bank account.
Does changing CRA direct deposit also change my CPP or OAS banking information?
No. The CRA does not administer CPP or OAS. You need to update direct deposit for those programs separately through the appropriate Government of Canada service.
Does changing CRA direct deposit update Employment Insurance payments?
No. Employment Insurance is not administered by the CRA. EI direct deposit information must be updated through the appropriate Service Canada process.
Can I use a joint account for CRA direct deposit?
Yes. Government of Canada direct deposit instructions state that the bank account must be in your name and that a joint account is acceptable.
Can I mail a form to change CRA direct deposit?
Yes. If you cannot use an online method, you can complete the Canada direct deposit enrolment form and mail it to the address on the form. The Government of Canada estimates processing at up to 3 months or longer.
Can I email the CRA direct deposit form?
No. The Canada direct deposit enrolment form is for mail-in requests and the official instructions state that it cannot be submitted by email or online.
Can I change my spouse's CRA direct deposit from my account?
Not simply as a spouse. To change direct deposit information for another individual, the CRA says you must be their legal representative and use the authorized representative process.
What should I do if my CRA direct deposit is missing?
Check the scheduled payment date and your CRA account first. If the direct deposit has still not arrived 10 business days after the payment date of the benefit or credit, the CRA instructs you to contact them.
Is CRA direct deposit the same as pre-authorized debit?
No. Direct deposit is used when the CRA sends money to your bank account. A pre-authorized debit is a separate arrangement that lets the CRA withdraw a payment you owe from your bank account.
Official sources
CRA direct deposit for individualsCRA direct depositCanada direct deposit enrolment formCanada direct deposit enrolment form completion instructionsCanada direct deposit enrolment form PDFDirect deposit for individuals in CanadaGovernment of Canada direct depositUpdate your personal information with the CRARelated procedures
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