CRA pays out billions of dollars in refunds and benefits every year — tax refunds, Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit, Climate Action Incentive Payments, and more. Setting up direct deposit ensures you receive these payments as quickly as possible, directly to your bank account. Here is how.
If you are doing broader CRA maintenance, combine this with how to use CRA My Account and how to change your address with CRA. To connect setup with filing status, see how to file taxes in Canada and how to know if your tax return was accepted.
Why set up CRA direct deposit?
- Faster payments — Direct deposit typically arrives 1–2 weeks faster than a paper cheque
- More reliable — No risk of a cheque being lost in the mail or sent to an old address
- Single setup covers everything — All CRA payments go to the same account
- Change it anytime — Update online in minutes when you change banks
Method 1: Online through CRA My Account (recommended)
Steps:
Log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca (using your CRA login or Sign-In Partner / bank credentials)
Under “Personal information”, click “Direct deposit”
Click “Start” or “Edit” if one is already set up
Enter your banking information:
- Institution number — 3 digits (e.g., 004 for Scotiabank, 002 for BMO)
- Branch / transit number — 5 digits
- Account number — typically 7–12 digits
Confirm the information and click “Submit”
CRA confirms the update on screen. Changes take effect within 1–3 business days.
Where to find your banking information
Option A — Void cheque: The bottom of a cheque shows the numbers in this order: [transit number] [institution number] [account number]
Option B — Online banking: Log in to your bank’s website or app → select your account → look for “Account details,” “Direct deposit info,” or similar. Most banks display the transit and institution numbers here.
Option C — Call your bank: Your bank’s customer service can provide your transit and institution number over the phone after verifying your identity.
Common institution numbers for 2026:
| Bank | Institution # |
|---|---|
| Bank of Montreal (BMO) | 001 |
| Scotiabank | 002 |
| RBC Royal Bank | 003 |
| TD Canada Trust | 004 |
| National Bank | 006 |
| CIBC | 010 |
| HSBC Canada | 016 |
| Desjardins | 815 |
| EQ Bank | 623 |
| Tangerine | 614 |
(Use these as reference only — always verify with your bank.)
Method 2: On your T1 tax return
When you file your T1 annual tax return, there is a direct deposit section (usually near the end of the form or in your tax software). Enter your banking information there. This sets up direct deposit for the refund from that specific return and registers your information with CRA for future payments.
Tax software like TurboTax and Wealthsimple Tax will prompt you to enter or confirm your direct deposit information during the filing process.
Method 3: By phone
Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (individual tax enquiries) and ask to set up direct deposit. Have the following ready:
- Your SIN
- Your date of birth
- Your current address
- A line amount from your most recently filed tax return (for identity verification)
- Your banking transit, institution, and account numbers
Wait times at CRA can be 30–60+ minutes during filing season (February–April). Try calling in the early morning or after 3 PM for shorter waits.
Method 4: Through your bank (selected programs)
Some banks allow you to register your direct deposit with CRA directly from your online banking portal — no CRA website visit needed. Look for a “Government deposits” or “CRA direct deposit” option in your bank’s settings. TD and RBC are among the banks that offer this.
How to verify your direct deposit is set up
Once set up:
- Log in to CRA My Account
- Go to “Personal information” → “Direct deposit”
- You should see the last 3 digits of your account number and the financial institution on file
If the information shown is correct, you are set up.
What covers what: CRA direct deposit payment schedule
| Payment | Frequency | 2026 dates (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax refund | Once (after filing) | Varies — 2 weeks after e-file |
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Monthly | 20th of each month |
| GST/HST credit | Quarterly | Jan 3, Apr 4, Jul 4, Oct 3 |
| CAIP (Climate Action Incentive) | Quarterly | Jan 15, Apr 15, Jul 15, Oct 15 |
| Canada Workers Benefit | Advance payments quarterly | Varies |
| OAS/CPP | Monthly | Last 3 business days of month |
Note: OAS and CPP payments are handled by Service Canada, not CRA. They have a separate direct deposit setup at canada.ca/service-canada.
Changing banks: what to do
When you change banks:
- Open your new account before closing the old one
- Update CRA direct deposit (and Service Canada if you receive CPP/OAS) immediately
- Keep the old account open with a small balance for at least 30 days to catch any payments in transit
- Update your employer’s payroll direct deposit separately
Related resources
- How to Use CRA My Account — Full guide to the CRA portal
- How to Pay CRA Online — If you owe money instead of receiving a refund
- Canada Child Benefit Guide — CCB payment dates and amounts
- Best High-Interest Savings Accounts Canada — Where to direct your refund