The Old Way of Accessing CRA Business Registration Online Is Gone
If you’re starting a Canadian business or need to open a new GST/HST or payroll account, the CRA has changed how you do it. Since July 14, 2026, Business Registration Online is accessible only after signing in through a CRA account.
You now need to sign in to your CRA account to access Business Registration Online. CRA says registrations for a business number and CRA program accounts such as GST/HST and payroll must be completed online through the system.
What Changed?
Business Registration Online, commonly called BRO, is the CRA system businesses use to register for several important tax accounts.
Previously, businesses could access the registration system without first going through the current CRA account sign-in process.
That changed on July 14, 2026.
BRO is now available only through a CRA account. You must authenticate yourself before accessing the registration service.
To use Business Registration Online, you must sign in using CRA credentials, an eligible Sign-In Partner or an eligible provincial partner.
What Can You Register Through BRO?
Business Registration Online is used for some of the most basic registrations a Canadian business may need.
Through BRO, you can:
- register for a business number (BN),
- open a GST/HST program account,
- open a payroll deductions account,
- open certain other CRA program accounts, and
- add program accounts to an existing business number.
What Is a Business Number?
A business number is a unique nine-digit identifier used when dealing with federal, provincial or municipal governments in Canada.
A business may have the nine-digit BN followed by different program identifiers for the CRA accounts it uses.
For example, a business that collects GST/HST may have a GST/HST program account associated with its business number, while an employer may also have a payroll deductions account.
Does Every Small Business Need a Business Number?
No.
Whether you need a BN or CRA program account depends on how your business operates and which government programs you need to register for.
A sole proprietor with no employees who is not required to register for GST/HST may have different registration requirements from a corporation with employees.
CRA provides an online questionnaire to help determine whether you need a business number or program account.
What If You Need to Register for GST/HST?
GST/HST registration is one of the most common reasons a small business needs to use CRA’s registration system.
For most businesses, mandatory GST/HST registration is tied to whether the business exceeds the CRA’s $30,000 small-supplier threshold.
How and when that threshold is exceeded matters. A business can also choose to register voluntarily before mandatory registration is required.
If your sales are approaching $30,000, check CRA’s small-supplier rules. The date you become required to register can depend on whether you exceed the threshold in a single calendar quarter or over consecutive calendar quarters.
What If You’re Hiring Your First Employee?
Hiring an employee can create another CRA registration requirement.
Employers generally need a payroll deductions account to remit amounts withheld from employee pay, including income tax, CPP contributions and EI premiums.
The payroll account is associated with the employer’s business number.
If you’re about to hire your first employee, setting up the required payroll account should be part of the hiring process rather than something dealt with after several pay periods have already passed.
How Do You Sign In?
CRA says Business Registration Online can be accessed through your CRA account using:
- your CRA user ID and password,
- a participating Sign-In Partner, or
- an eligible provincial partner in British Columbia or Alberta.
Once signed in, you can access Business Registration Online and complete an eligible registration.
Why Did CRA Change the System?
CRA says the new sign-in requirement is intended to improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access and fraudulent business registrations.
Requiring authentication before someone can create a business number or program account gives CRA another way to verify the identity of the person making the registration.
Already Have a Business Number?
If your business already has a BN, you should not register for another one simply because you need an additional CRA program account.
In many situations, the appropriate step is to add the required program account to the existing business number.
Keeping accounts under the correct business number can help prevent duplicate registrations and administrative problems later.
Starting a Business? Do This Before You Need the Account
- Determine whether you actually need a business number.
- Check whether your business already has one.
- Determine which CRA program accounts you need.
- Make sure you can successfully sign in to your CRA account.
- Have your business information ready before beginning registration.
The Bottom Line
The CRA has changed a basic administrative step that affects new businesses and existing businesses opening additional tax accounts.
Since July 14, 2026, Business Registration Online can only be accessed after signing in through your CRA account.
The system is used to register for a business number and important program accounts including GST/HST and payroll.
If you’re starting a business, approaching the GST/HST registration threshold or preparing to hire employees, make sure your CRA account access is working before you need to complete the registration.
Canada Revenue Agency — Business Registration With the CRA
VIPNews explains Canadian government changes in plain English. This article provides general information and is not tax, accounting or legal advice.