Canada Revenue Agency Business Number: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to get your 9-digit business number to manage your taxes and payroll for your Canadian business.
A Business Number is a unique nine-digit identifier used by the government to track your business for tax and payroll purposes.
Who it's for
This identifier is required for every business operating in Canada. Whether you are running a large corporation or a small sole proprietorship, you will need this to interact with the tax authorities.
What you get
When you register, you receive a single 9-digit account number. This number acts as a central identifier, allowing you to manage all your tax and payroll interactions through one consistent reference. Instead of having different numbers for every different tax obligation, this single number helps keep your business records organized.
What it costs you
There is no fee to register for this number; it is free to obtain. However, you must have your official documentation ready to complete the process. This includes your business incorporation papers if you have incorporated, or your sole proprietorship documents if you are operating as an individual.
The catch to know
It is important to understand that simply having the 9-digit Business Number does not automatically cover every tax obligation. You must take the extra step of registering for separate program accounts under that main number. Common examples of these specific accounts include your GST/HST account and your payroll account.
How to apply
- Prepare your business incorporation or sole proprietorship documents to prove your business identity.
- Navigate to the official government services website.
- Follow the prompts to register your new nine-digit identifier.
- Ensure you register for any necessary specific program accounts, such as payroll or GST/HST, once your main number is issued.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start/business-number.html