The Government of Canada is switching to direct deposit for all payments that it issues. It is proposed that CRA will not longer issue cheques after April 2016. While there is a bit of “wiggle” room, we recommend that you get signed up in order to avoid delays in receiving funds from CRA.
If you receive at least one of the following payments from the CRA, you can sign up for direct deposit:
- income tax refund
- goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit and any similar provincial and territorial payments
- Canada child tax benefit and any similar provincial and territorial payments
- working income tax benefit
- universal child care benefit
- deemed overpayment of tax
Watch the CRA’s video about the benefits and convenience of direct deposit.
How to sign up
Online
If you are registered for My Account, you can sign up for direct deposit now. If you are not yet registered, why wait? My Account can help you quickly and easily manage your tax affairs online, including signing up for direct deposit or changing your account information.
Online—mobile application
To start or update direct deposit information, use MyCRA.
By phone
To sign up for direct deposit or to change your account information, call 1-800-959-8281. You will need your:
- social insurance number
- full name and current address, including postal code
- date of birth
- most recent income tax and benefit return and information about the most recent payments you got from the Canada Revenue Agency
- banking information: three-digit financial institution number, five-digit transit number, and your account number
By mail
To sign up for direct deposit, follow these steps:
- Fill out the Canada Direct Deposit enrolment form.
- Mail the completed form to the address on the form.