CRA means Canada Revenue Agency. CRA access helps with tax slips, notices, direct deposit, benefits, credits, refunds, and records. Start with Taxes & Government after you have basic banking and SIN context.
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, Complete Canadian Benefits Guide, and Canadian Finances 101.
- Income tax
- CPP
- EI
- Tax return
- Benefits
- Credits
Checklist
Things to do next
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
Beginner definitions
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.
You may need next
FAQ
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.
Important disclaimer
This guide provides practical information, not legal, immigration, tax, healthcare, or financial advice. Rules, offers, eligibility, fees, and provider conditions can change. Always verify important decisions with official sources or the provider before applying, contributing, signing, or relying on a deadline.