Direct Deposit of Payments from Canada Revenue Agency
How to have CRA payments deposited straight into your bank account, and what registering for direct deposit does — and does not — authorise.
You can have your tax payments deposited directly into your bank account. The Government of Canada has moved to increase the use of direct deposit by phasing out federal government cheques.
Why choose direct deposit
It is a convenient, reliable, secure and low-cost method of payment.
Myth and fact
Myth: When I sign up for direct deposit and give my banking information, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can also use that information to take any money I may owe from my bank account.
Fact: If you owe money to the CRA, giving your banking information does not trigger the withdrawal of money from your bank account. When you register for direct deposit you do not authorise the CRA to withdraw money. Where a taxpayer owes money and must make payments, the CRA works with the taxpayer to come to an agreement. The CRA can only withdraw money from a taxpayer’s account when a garnishment is in place — a legal procedure to withdraw money from a bank account.
If you are moving
Tell the CRA your new address as soon as possible. Otherwise your payments may stop, whether you receive them by cheque or by direct deposit.
If your bank account changes
Tell the CRA about your new bank account. And do not close the old account until the CRA has deposited the expected payment into the new one.
Register for direct deposit
Individuals
There is only one form to fill out. The government will deposit all payments from different federal departments directly into your bank account.
Online. If you are registered for My Account, you can sign up for direct deposit immediately. If you are not yet registered, My Account is also the easiest way to manage your tax affairs online.
By mail. Fill out the Direct Deposit Enrolment Form and mail it to the address indicated on the form.
By phone. To sign up for direct deposit, or to change your banking information, call the CRA on 1-800-959-8281.
Businesses
Fill out Form RC366, Direct Deposit Request for Businesses, and mail it to one of the tax centres.
For questions about direct deposit, call the CRA on 1-800-959-5525.