Paying CRA promptly is usually cheaper than disputing or delaying. The agency offers six main payment methods, and the right one depends on the size of the balance, urgency, and whether you need a confirmation number for an objection or appeal. Online banking and CRA’s own pre-authorized debit (PAD) are the fastest with the lowest error rate. Cheques and mail can take a week or more to credit, so do not use them when balances are nearing a deadline.
The six payment methods
| Method | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Online banking (CRA payee) | Same day or next day | Most situations under $50,000 |
| Pre-authorized debit (PAD) via CRA My Account | Scheduled date | Recurring payments, instalments, payment arrangements |
| Credit card via third-party processor (Plastiq, PaySimply, Canada Post) | Same day | Last-minute payments; carries 1.5%-2.5% fee |
| Wire transfer / Interac e-Transfer | Same day | Large balances above online banking limits |
| Cheque mailed to CRA | 3-10 business days | Avoid for time-sensitive payments |
| In person at a Canada Post outlet | Same day with QR code from CRA My Account | Cash or debit; useful for those without online banking |
Online banking — most common
Most Canadian financial institutions list CRA as a bill payee. Search for one of:
- CRA Personal Income Tax for T1 balances. Account number is your SIN.
- CRA Personal Income Tax — Instalment for quarterly instalments. Account number is your SIN.
- CRA Personal Income Tax — Amount Owing for a balance owing on a specific notice. Account number is the 15-character reference from the notice.
- CRA Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) for GST/HST. Account number is your business number with RT0001 suffix.
- CRA Payroll Source Deductions — Regular Remitter for payroll. Use RP suffix.
Choosing the wrong CRA payee posts the payment to the wrong account, and CRA may treat the original liability as unpaid. If the wrong account was used, contact CRA to transfer the payment.
CRA My Account: pre-authorized debit
CRA My Account (or CRA My Business Account) lets you set up one-time or recurring direct debits from a Canadian bank account. PAD is the recommended method for:
- Quarterly instalments — set up once and forget.
- Payment arrangements where CRA has agreed to monthly payments over time.
- Year-end T1 balance owing if you want to schedule the payment exactly on April 30 to maximize float without interest.
Worked example: $14,200 T1 balance owing for 2025
A self-employed taxpayer files her 2025 return on June 12, 2026 owing $14,200. Tax was due April 30, 2026.
| Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|
| Balance owing | $14,200 |
| Late-filing penalty (no penalty since she has a self-employment June 15 filing deadline; the bill itself was due April 30 but she has until June 15 to file) | $0 |
| Interest from April 30 to June 12 (43 days at 9% prescribed) | $14,200 × 9% × 43/365 = $150.45 |
| Total payable June 12 | $14,350.45 |
Best path: pay $14,350.45 via online banking on June 12 using “CRA Personal Income Tax” as the payee with her SIN as the account number. Funds typically credit overnight.
If your bank cannot find CRA as a payee
Wealthsimple Cash, EQ Bank, and some smaller institutions may not list CRA. Three workarounds:
- Use CRA’s PAD service through My Account (links to any Canadian bank account by account number).
- Use Interac e-Transfer through CRA My Account if available.
- Pay via PaySimply with a credit card or Interac e-Transfer (transaction fee applies; useful for last-minute deadlines).
How to verify a payment posted
- Log into CRA My Account → Accounts and payments → Payments. The transaction appears as “Payment received” with the date and amount.
- For online banking, keep the bank’s confirmation number for at least 6 months.
- For cheque payments, CRA processes within 7 to 10 business days. The mailed cheque is treated as paid on the date CRA receives it, not the postmark date.
What if I overpay
Excess payments are credited against future balances or refunded. The default is to leave it as a credit on file. To request a refund of an overpayment, submit a request through CRA My Account. Refunds typically issue within 14 days for direct deposit, longer for cheques.
Cross-references
- CRA Payment Arrangement: How to Set Up a Plan
- Tax Instalments: Who Pays Quarterly and How
- Late Filing Penalty + Interest: The Real Cost of Not Filing
- CRA Notice of Reassessment
Frequently asked questions
- What is the fastest way to pay CRA?
- Online banking with the right CRA payee selected, or a one-time pre-authorized debit through CRA My Account. Both typically credit within one business day.
- Can I pay CRA by credit card?
- Yes, through third-party processors such as PaySimply, Plastiq, or Canada Post. A processing fee of 1.5 to 2.5 percent applies.
- What CRA payee should I select for personal income tax?
- CRA Personal Income Tax (for filed-return balances) or CRA Personal Income Tax — Amount Owing (for a specific notice). The account number is your 9-digit SIN.
- Is paying by cheque still allowed?
- Yes, mailed to the address on the notice. Allow 3 to 10 business days. CRA treats payment as received on the date the cheque arrives, not the postmark, so cheques are risky for time-sensitive payments.
- What happens if I send the payment to the wrong CRA payee?
- The payment posts to the wrong account and CRA may treat the original balance as still owing. Contact CRA to transfer the payment, which can take several weeks.
- Can I pay CRA from a non-Canadian bank?
- Yes, by international wire transfer. The CRA wire transfer details are listed at canada.ca; allow extra time for international processing and currency conversion.
- Where do I get the QR code to pay at Canada Post?
- Log into CRA My Account, choose Pay, then In-Person at Canada Post. The system generates a QR code valid for 24 hours that you bring to any Canada Post outlet.