Registering for a Business Number

Registering for a Business Number

Not all businesses require a business number (BN), so it’s important that you have a look at the Canada Revenue Agency’s website to determine if you need one.  You only need a BN if you’ll need any one of the following business accounts:

• GST/HST account
• Payroll account
• Corporate income tax account
• Import/Export account

If you decide to register for any one of them, you will receive a BN.

The BN is a 9-digit business identifier used in Canada to which businesses can register program accounts with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This number should be used when communicating with the CRA about program accounts you have or wish to register for. For example, if you would like to discuss your GST/HST account or you would like to register for a payroll account, you should quote your BN.

The format of the BN is:

XXXXX-XXXX + Program Name + Account Number

Different letters are used to identify types of program accounts.

Four major program accounts:

• RT - GST/HST
• RP - payroll
• RC - corporate income tax
• RM - import/export

Other program accounts:

• RR - registered charity
• RD - excise duty
• RE - excise tax
• RN - insurance premium tax
• RG - air travelers security charge
• RZ - information returns

Step 1: To register for a Business Number (BN):

By Internet with Business Registration Online:

You can register for a Business Number (BN) and one or more of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) program accounts at the same time using the Business Registration Online (BRO) service. You can register for some provincial program accounts at the same time. Businesses that do not have complex registration requirements can use this service.

By phone

To register for a business number or a CRA program account by phone, call our toll-free Business enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525. Before calling, be ready to answer all the questions in Part A of Form RC1, Request for a Business Number (BN), and any other questions in the form that relate to the program accounts you want to open (for example, GST/HST, Payroll).

By mail or by fax

Complete Form RC1, Request for a Business Number. Once you complete the form, mail or fax it to the nearest tax service office (TSO) or tax centre (TC). To determine where to submit your completed RC1 form, go to Tax services offices and tax centres. To print a form go to Form RC1, Request for a Business Number or to order a form, go to Forms and publications.

There now – less painful than a trip to the dentist.  Once you’re finished your business planning stage, it’s time to think about training. Do you really know how to run a successful small business?  Did you know most business fail because entrepreneurs don’t know how to run their business? That’s why we offer Canada’s leading online small business training. Make the investment in your future today – get started now. 

]]>