If required, you may have to pay some amount to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at times. This payment can be for income tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or under any benefits program run by CRA.
But a common man has a question – “How do we make payments to CRA?” Will it be right to send a cheque, or will it be better to make an online payment? Can payment be made through debit or credit card as well?
So, in this article, let us understand in detail and in simple language what are the different ways to make payments to Canada Revenue Agency, and which method can be most convenient for you.
Options for Paying the Canada Revenue Agency
The CRA has several options for making payments, such as:
- Cheque, money order, or wire transfer (for non-residents)
- Online banking
- Debit card payments
- Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) through My Account
- Credit card use through a third-party service
Each individual has different needs, so the CRA has provided various payment options so that everyone can pay at a time that suits them.
1. Traditional Payment Methods – Cheque, Money Order, and Wire Transfer
If you prefer the old-fashioned method, sending a cheque or money order to the CRA may be a great option for you.
Your cheque or money order must be made out to the Receiver General for Canada. Also, if you have a remittance voucher from the CRA, send it to the address on the back.
If you don’t have a voucher, don’t forget to write your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Business Number (BN) along with the cheque and send it to the address given below:
Canada Revenue Agency
PO Box 3800 STN A
Sudbury ON P3A 0C3
Example
Suppose, Mr. Sharma owes $1,200 in taxes to CRA. He doesn’t have a remittance voucher, so he writes a cheque with his SIN in the memo field and sends it to the address given above.
Wire Transfer (for Non-Residents)
If you live outside Canada, wire transfer is a good option for you. This method is fast and secure, especially when you want to send money to CRA while you are abroad.
2. Pay to CRA Through Online Banking
Nowadays most people prefer to make online payments. The good thing is that CRA has tie-ups with almost all major banks in Canada.
You can make payments to CRA just like you would pay any other bill – like electricity bill or mobile recharge.
Step-by-Step Process
- Login to your bank account (like RBC, TD, Scotiabank etc.)
- Go to the “Add a payee” option
- Add CRA as a payee. There can be different options for CRA:
- CRA (revenue) – tax owing
- CRA (revenue) – past tax owed
- CRA (revenue) – tax instalments
- Next, enter your Social Insurance Number as the account number
- Enter the amount to be paid and submit
Note
Remittance voucher is not required when you make online payment.
3. Pay CRA Using Debit and Credit Cards
Debit Card
CRA allows you to pay using Interac debit card, but for this you need to visit CRA’s My Payment website.
Example
If you have a TD or Scotiabank debit card, you can make an instant payment to the CRA through My Payment.
Credit Cards
The CRA does not accept credit card payments directly.
But there are third-party services that can process credit card payments on your behalf and pass the money to the CRA. These services may charge a small fee.
Some Third-Party Service Providers
- Plastiq
- PaySimply
- PaymentSource
By creating an account with one of these, you can make payments to the CRA using your credit card.
4. Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) Through My Account
If you have a recurring payment to make to the CRA – such as paying taxes or penalties in installments – you can set up a Pre-Authorized Debit.
This feature allows the CRA to automatically deduct money from your bank account on a specified date and in the specified amount.
How to Set Up a PAD
- Login to My Account on the CRA website
- Go to the “Accounts and Payments” tab
- Click on the “Pre-Authorized Debit” link
Here you can:
- Set up a new PAD
- Manage active PADs
- View old (inactive) PADs
Example
If Mrs. Dhillon owes $150 in taxes every month, she can set up a PAD. Each month, the CRA will automatically deduct $150 from her bank account and she will never have to worry about the payment again.
Read more: Social Security 2025: Benefits You Can Claim Besides Retirement
Other Helpful Services and Tips
- If you have trouble making a payment to the CRA, you can call the CRA Helpline.
- Paying on time can help avoid penalties and interest.
- If you are a small business owner, manage payments through the CRA’s “My Business Account”.
TurboTax – A Service That Makes Tax Filing Easy
TurboTax has been the most trusted name in tax filing in Canada for the past 30 years. This software helps you file your taxes completely – whether you are a salaried employee or a small business.
Now TurboTax has also launched LIVE service, where you can get your questions answered by live tax experts.
With the help of TurboTax:
- You can calculate tax correctly
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Conclusion
Paying to Canada Revenue Agency is now easier than ever.
If you want you can choose traditional methods (e.g. check, money order) or use digital features like online banking, debit cards, and Pre-Authorized Debit.
If you live abroad, wire transfers are a great option for you.
Keep in mind that paying on time helps you avoid penalties, interest, and hassles. Also, if you’re having trouble filing taxes, tools and experts like TurboTax can help you.
Always check for updates on the CRA’s official website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html
