CRA Direct Deposit: What It Is and How to Set It Up

Direct deposit sends money the Canada Revenue Agency owes you — straight into your bank account, instead of mailing a cheque. It's faster, more secure, and once it's set up, it applies automatically to future payments too.

What payments does it cover?

Once enrolled, direct deposit applies to most CRA payments you're eligible for, including:

• Income tax refunds
• GST/HST credit payments
• Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments
• Other federal and provincial benefit and credit payments administered by the CRA

How to set it up

There are a few ways to enrol, and you only need to do it once:

• Through your bank. Most major Canadian banks let you sign up for CRA direct deposit directly through their online banking portal or app — usually the fastest option.
• Through CRA My Account. If you already have a CRA My Account, you can add or update your direct deposit information online under your profile.
• By phone or by mail. If you'd rather not go online, the CRA also accepts direct deposit enrolment by phone or by submitting a form with your banking details.

What you'll need

To enrol, have the following on hand:

• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Your bank's institution number, transit number, and account number (found on a void cheque or in your online banking)

If you've changed banks recently

If you've closed an account or switched banks, update your direct deposit details as soon as possible. Payments sent to a closed account can be delayed or returned, which slows everything down. This is one of the most common reasons we see refunds or benefit payments held up.

This guide is intended as general information, not personalized tax advice. Procedures and eligibility for specific CRA benefits and credits can change — for the most current details, refer to canada.ca, or speak with our team if you'd like help getting set up.