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.

Who can use online services

You can access online services for charities if you are a:

• registered charity
• registered Canadian amateur athletic association (RCAAA) Limited services
• registered national arts service organization (RNASO) Limited services

What you can do

Using a CRA account, you can:

• apply to become a registered charity or RCAAA
• file your T3010 annual information return if you are a registered charity or RNASO
• update your organization’s information
• submit general enquiries
• view CRA correspondence and notices
  • RNASOs have limitations on which letters they can receive electronically.
• opt-in to receive email notifications when we send you correspondence and notices
  • Email notifications usually replace the physical copy of the letters.

What you need

To begin, your organization needs a:

• Image description

  Business number: 123456789

  Program identifier: RR

  Reference number: 0001

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

   If you are currently registered as a charity, RCAAA, or RNASO, you already have an active RR account. Proceed to step 3.

   If you were previously registered, or if you previously applied for registration, you may also already have an RR account. You should reopen this account to access our online services.

   To reopen your existing RR account, or to find out if you have one, 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 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.

   Note: A BN and RR account does not automatically grant you registration as a charity or other qualified donee. To obtain the benefits of registration, you will also need to apply to become a registered charity or another qualified donee.

If you are an internal division operating under a head body

An internal division is a branch, section, parish, congregation, or other division of a registered charity. It operates as an extension of and under the authority of the head body.

To gain access as an internal division:

1. Ensure your internal division has its own RR account.

• If your internal division does not have an RR account

  Your head body must register a new RR account under its business number, which your internal division will be using.

2. Ensure that each director and trustee of the internal division registers for Represent a client to get a RepID.
3. Request authorization from your head body for each director and trustee to access the RR account for your internal division.

If you are a representative

A representative can be anyone who wants to access information and services on behalf of an organization. 

To gain access as a representative:

1. Register for Represent a client in your CRA account to get a RepID.
2. Request authorization from the organization to access their account information.

Get help

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

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