Register to use online services for charities

Setting up a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account is the quickest and safest way to manage your organization’s account information.

What you can do in your CRA account

Using a CRA account, you can:

• apply to become a registered charity or a registered Canadian amateur athletic association
• file your T3010 annual information return
• update your organization’s information
• submit general enquiries

What you need

To use online services for charities, your organization needs a:

• business number (BN): A nine-digit federal taxpayer registration number that identifies your organization. It is unique to your organization and stays the same no matter how many or what type of CRA accounts you have.
• charity account (RR): RR is the program identifier for registered charities. It identifies your charity account. The reference number (four-digit) is attached to your BN.

If your organization is already a registered charity and needs to provide online access to a new director, trustee, or like official, go to Manage who can access your charity account.

How to register

1. Register for a CRA account

   To get started, you must register for a CRA account.

   If you already have a CRA account, proceed to step 2.

2. Determine if you need to register for a BN and RR account

   Many organizations already have a BN and RR account.

   Do not register for another BN and RR account if you already have them. If you have them, proceed to step 3.

   Find out if you already have a BN and RR account

   Business number

   You can only have one BN per business or legal entity.

   If you don't know what your BN is or aren't sure if you already have one, check options to find an existing BN.

   Registered charity program account

   To find out if you have an existing RR account, contact us.

   If you need to register for a BN and RR account

   Registering for a BN and RR account through your CRA account is fast and easy.

   Register with Business Registration Online (BRO)

3. Add your BN and RR account to your CRA account

   After registering for a BN, add it to your CRA account to access charity services and information. Your RR account is associated with your BN and will be included when you add your BN.

   To add your BN to your CRA account:

   1. Sign in to your CRA account.
   2. From the welcome page, select Add account.
   3. Select Business account.
   4. Select Add business number.
   5. Enter your 9-digit business number and select add.
   6. After getting your confirmation, return to the welcome page and select your Business account to access charity related services.

   Obtaining a BN and RR account does not automatically make your organization a registered charity

   To become one, you will still need to submit an application to be a registered charity under the Income Tax Act.

Request authorization as a representative

A representative can be anyone who wants to access information and services on behalf of your organization or head body. 

To gain access as a representative:

1. Register for Represent a client in your CRA account to get a representative identifier (RepID).
2. Your organization or head body will then need to authorize your RR account under their BN.

Get help

Don't hesitate to contact us if you require assistance.

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