Let’s face it—no one enjoys waiting weeks for a cheque to show up in the mail. And what’s worse? Forgetting to cash it, misplacing it, or even having it stolen. That’s where CRA Direct Deposit comes in. It’s the smart, safe, and seamless way to get your money from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Once you switch to this hassle-free system, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Whether you’re due for a tax refund, receiving benefits, or waiting for that sweet Climate Action Incentive payout, CRA Direct Deposit ensures your funds land straight in your bank account—no pit stops, no paper, no problems.
In this comprehensive guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know: what CRA Direct Deposit is, why it matters, how to set it up (with all the options), how to check your status, update your banking info, and even how to avoid losing out on unclaimed cheques. Buckle up, and let’s dive in.
Key Points
- You can set up direct deposit with the CRA through your CRA My Account, your bank, phone or by mail.
- With direct deposit, you’ll receive your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) payments directly into your bank account. This may include your tax refunds, Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and other federal government benefits.
What Is CRA Direct Deposit?
CRA Direct Deposit is a secure and convenient way for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to send you payments directly into your bank account. Think of it as the digital express lane for your money—skipping the paper trail and heading straight to your wallet.
Instead of waiting days (or sometimes weeks) for a cheque in the mail, then having to deposit it at the bank or through your mobile app, CRA Direct Deposit puts your payments right where you want them: in your account, automatically and on time.
You can use Direct Deposit to receive a wide variety of payments from the government. These include:
- Income tax refunds: Get your money faster after filing your return.
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Monthly support for parents raising kids.
- Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit: A quarterly benefit for lower-income households.
- Climate Action Incentive (CAI): A rebate for carbon pricing in some provinces.
- Canada Workers Benefit (CWB): Extra money to support low-income workers.
- Employment Insurance (EI): Payments if you’re temporarily out of work.
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP): Retirement or disability income.
- Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS): Financial support for seniors.
- One-time emergency payments: Like CERB, CRB, and similar programs.
Whether you’re a student, worker, retiree, or caregiver, if the federal government is sending you money, Direct Deposit is hands down the best way to get it—fast, secure, and stress-free.
Learn more: What Is Direct Deposit?
Why Setting Up CRA Direct Deposit Is A No-Brainer
Still thinking about it? Here’s why setting up CRA Direct Deposit is one of the smartest, most low-effort money moves you can make:
- Faster Payments: Why wait weeks for a cheque when your money can arrive in days—sometimes even overnight?
- Security: Direct Deposit is way safer than snail-mail cheques, which can get lost, stolen, or damaged. Your money goes straight to your account with no middleman.
- No More Lost or Forgotten Cheques: Raise your hand if you’ve ever found a stale-dated cheque months later in your desk drawer. With Direct Deposit, that never happens.
- Eco-Friendly: Less paper, fewer envelopes, and no fuel used to deliver a cheque. Your bank account—and the planet—thank you.
- Peace of Mind: You don’t have to wonder when your payment will arrive. It just shows up, on time, like clockwork.
- Better Budgeting: Because you know exactly when your money arrives, you can plan ahead, pay bills on time, and avoid overdraft fees or late charges.
- More Control: You can update or change your info anytime. Moving banks or accounts? No problem.
- One Less Thing to Worry About: Life is hectic. Let this be one thing that runs smoothly in the background.
Whether you’re a busy parent juggling school drop-offs, a student trying to stretch every dollar, a retiree who prefers less hassle, or just someone who appreciates having one less errand to run—Direct Deposit is the ultimate no-brainer. It’s convenience, security, and peace of mind rolled into one smart move.
How To Set Up Direct Deposit With The CRA
Setting up CRA Direct Deposit is surprisingly simple and totally worth the few minutes it takes. The CRA offers several ways to get it done, so no matter your tech skills or preferences, there’s an option that’ll work for you. Whether you like doing things online, prefer chatting with someone on the phone, or still enjoy good old-fashioned snail mail, you’ve got choices. You can even set it up directly through your online banking app—super convenient if you’re already logged in to pay bills or check your balance.
Once it’s set up, you won’t need to do it again unless your banking info changes. It’s one of those “set it and forget it” tasks that quietly works in the background to make your life easier.
In the next few sections, we’ll walk through every method in detail—online through CRA’s website, through your bank, by phone, and by mail. Pick the one that fits you best and get ready to enjoy faster, more secure payments straight into your account.
The CRA gives you multiple ways to get Direct Deposit going. Choose what works best for you:
1. Set Up CRA Direct Deposit Online (Fastest Option)
The quickest and easiest method is through CRA My Account.
- Go to CRA My Account.
- Log in using your CRA credentials or through your bank using a Sign-In Partner.
- Once inside, head to the “Direct Deposit” section.
- Enter your bank’s transit number, institution number, and account number.
- Double-check everything before hitting submit.
Your direct deposit should be active in 1–2 business days. Easy as that.
Hot Tip: CRA My Account is your one-stop shop. Besides setting up Direct Deposit, you can check benefit payments, file returns, view tax slips, and more. Worth setting up if you haven’t already.
Don’t have a CRA My Account? Learn How To Create A CRA Account
2. Set Up CRA Direct Deposit Through Your Bank or Credit Union
Many Canadians don’t know this—but you can set up CRA Direct Deposit straight through your bank’s website or app. Processing is typically instant. CRA receives your info without you lifting much more than a finger. Simply follow these steps:
- Log into your online banking account.
- Look for “CRA Direct Deposit” or “Government Payments” under services.
- Follow the prompts to enter or confirm your banking info.
- Give consent for the bank to share the info with CRA.
Participating banks include:
- RBC
- TD
- Scotiabank
- BMO
- CIBC
- National Bank
- Desjardins
- Tangerine
- Simplii
- And most credit unions
Pro Tip: Use your banking app to set a reminder every 6–12 months to verify your info is still up-to-date. It’s a great way to avoid any hiccups down the road.
3. Set Up CRA Direct Deposit by Phone
Prefer doing things over the phone? Simply call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 and provide your details. Once they confirm your identity, they’ll take your info and set things up right on the call. Be sure to have this info ready:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Full legal name and date of birth
- Mailing address
- Line 15000 (total income) from your last tax return
- Banking details (transit, institution, and account numbers)
Note: Call wait times can vary—early mornings or mid-week are usually best to avoid long holds.
4. Set Up CRA Direct Deposit by Mail
If you prefer the old-school way, you can register by mail. Just note that this option takes the longest, up to several weeks. Use only if you prefer paperwork or have no access to digital options. To register, simply follow these steps:
- Download the CRA form T1-DD(1).
- Complete all required fields with your personal and banking information.
- Include a void cheque or accurate account info.
- Mail it to the address listed on the form.
Reminder: Always double-check your account numbers. A small mistake could delay your payments for weeks.
How To Check If You’re Enrolled In CRA Direct Deposit
If you can’t remember whether you’ve signed up, it’s super easy to check.
| CRA My Account | – Log in and navigate to the “Direct Deposit” section. – You’ll see your current status and which account is registered. |
| Through Your Bank | If you registered via online banking, you may be able to check it in your bank’s CRA services section. |
| Call CRA | Dial 1-800-959-8281 and ask a representative to confirm your status. |
When Does CRA Deposit Money? How Long Does It Take?
Once enrolled, payments are automatic—but timing depends on the type of payment. In general, CRA often deposits funds early in the morning on payment day. So keep an eye on your account then.
If your payment is late, wait 5 business days before contacting CRA.
Here’s a rough timeline of when you should expect your payment:
| Tax refunds | Usually within 8 business days after assessment. |
| Canada Child Benefit | Monthly around the 20th |
| GST/HST credit | Quarterly (January, April, July, October). |
| EI or CPP | Follow their own regular payment schedules. |
Quick Tip: CRA also has a payment schedule calendar available online—great to bookmark so you always know what’s coming.
How To Update Or Change Your Direct Deposit Information
Changed banks or closed an account? Don’t worry—it’s simple to update your details.
Option 1: CRA My Account
- Log in.
- Head to the “Direct Deposit” tab.
- Enter new banking info and save.
Option 2: Through Your Bank
- Revisit the CRA services in your banking app.
- Enter updated account details and submit.
Pro Tip: Don’t remove your old info until you know the new one is active. This helps prevent payment hiccups.
Payments You Can Get Through CRA Direct Deposit
Wondering what qualifies? If it’s federal and financial, it probably does. You can receive:
| Income Tax Refunds | Learn more |
| GST/HST Tax Credit Payment Dates | Learn more |
| Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Payment Dates | Learn More |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Payment Dates | Learn More |
| Old Age Security (OAS) Payment Dates | Learn More |
| Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) Payment Dates | Learn more |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Payment Dates | Learn More |
| Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) Payment Dates | Learn more |
Basically, if the CRA pays it out, you can get it via Direct Deposit.
Avoid Unclaimed Cheques: Don’t Miss Your Money
Believe it or not, the CRA is sitting on millions of dollars in unclaimed cheques. That’s money people forgot about—or never received.
With Direct Deposit:
- You never forget to cash a payment.
- There’s no risk of lost mail.
- Payments are traceable and delivered reliably.
You can also log into your CRA My Account and check for uncashed cheques. If you find one, you can request a replacement with just a few clicks.
Fun Fact: The average unclaimed cheque is over $300. That’s a nice dinner—or three.
Learn more: Do You Have Any Unclaimed CRA Cheques?
Final Thoughts: Make Life Easier—Go Direct
Setting up CRA Direct Deposit is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. It’s fast, secure, and totally stress-free. Whether it’s tax time or benefit season, your money shows up exactly where you need it—no extra work required.
So take 5–10 minutes to set it up today. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
No more cheques, no more waiting, no more missed payments. Just simple, straightforward, dependable income—delivered digitally, on time, every time.
