---
title: "Set Up CRA Access"
description: "Understand CRA My Account, tax returns, benefits, credits, direct deposit, tax slips, and newcomer tax records."
canonical_url: "https://www.canooq.ca/new-to-canada/set-up-cra-access"
author: "Thomas Tremblay"
---

# Set Up CRA Access

Understand CRA My Account, tax returns, benefits, credits, direct deposit, tax slips, and newcomer tax records.

## Start here

CRA means Canada Revenue Agency. CRA access helps with tax slips, notices, direct deposit, benefits, credits, refunds, and records. Start with [Taxes & Government](https://www.canooq.ca/new-to-canada/taxes-government) after you have basic banking and SIN context.

Use this as a practical step-by-step guide.

## What CRA access helps with

CRA My Account can help you see tax information, benefit details, direct deposit, notices, slips, and account messages. Some access may depend on tax filing history and identity verification.

Newcomers should keep arrival dates, address history, pay stubs, T4 slips, rent records where useful, school slips, and government letters together.

- Tax slips

- Notices

- Benefits

- Direct deposit

- Refunds

- Address history

## Connect taxes to money

Your paycheque may have income tax, CPP, EI, and other deductions. You still usually file an annual tax return. Filing can affect benefits and credits.

Use [Salary After Tax Calculator](https://www.canooq.ca/tools/salary-after-tax-calculator), [Complete Canadian Benefits Guide](https://www.canooq.ca/blog/complete-canadian-benefits-guide), and [Canadian Finances 101](https://www.canooq.ca/blog/canadian-finances-101).

- Income tax

- CPP

- EI

- Tax return

- Benefits

- Credits

## Tax folder

- SIN

- Address history

- Pay stubs

- T4 slips

- Bank direct deposit

- CRA letters

## First tax season

- Collect slips

- Check benefits

- File return

- Save notice of assessment

## Mistakes to avoid

- Treating this as a one-time task instead of keeping records organized.

- Relying on screenshots or old advice instead of checking current official or provider pages.

- Separating this step from budget, housing, banking, phone, tax, and work decisions.

## Practical tips

- Keep a dated digital folder and a small paper folder for anything official.

- Use the guides and tools together: articles explain the step, calculators show the money impact, and templates help with documents.

- Add reminders for expiry dates, payment deadlines, renewal windows, and follow-up tasks.

## Key terms

- **CRA:** Canada Revenue Agency, the federal agency for taxes, benefits, credits, and related accounts.

- **Notice of Assessment:** A CRA document after filing taxes that summarizes assessment results and useful tax information.

## Related Canooq guides

- [Taxes & Government](https://www.canooq.ca/new-to-canada/taxes-government): Understand CRA, tax returns, T4 slips, refunds, benefits, and first tax filing basics.

- [Salary After Tax Calculator](https://www.canooq.ca/tools/salary-after-tax-calculator): Estimate take-home pay by province.

- [Banking for Newcomers](https://www.canooq.ca/new-to-canada/banking): Open a first Canadian account, compare fees, and set up payroll, rent, transfers, and savings.

## Common questions

### When should I handle set up cra access?

Handle it as soon as it becomes relevant to your status, arrival date, housing plan, school plan, job search, or first-week admin. The page explains the practical order.

### Which pages should I keep open?

Start with the New to Canada hub, Essential Checklist, First 30 Days in Canada, banking, credit, mobile and internet, housing, taxes, and the relevant calculator or template linked on this page.

### Is this immigration, tax, or legal advice?

No. This is educational information and practical organization. Verify important decisions with official sources, providers, or qualified professionals.

## Sources

- [CRA: Newcomers to Canada and the CRA](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/international-non-residents/individuals-leaving-entering-canada-non-residents/newcomers-canada-immigrants.html): Official newcomer tax, benefit, and first tax year information.

- [CRA: Sign in to CRA My Account](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/cra-login-services.html): Official CRA sign-in page for taxes, slips, refunds, benefits, and credits.

- [CRA: GST/HST credit](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/goods-services-tax-harmonized-sales-tax-gst-hst-credit.html): Official GST/HST credit information and eligibility guidance.

## Disclosure

This guide provides practical information, not legal, immigration, tax, healthcare, or financial advice. Rules, offers, eligibility, fees, and provider conditions can change. Verify important decisions with the official sources or provider before applying, contributing, signing, or relying on a deadline.