Your CRA business number (BN) is a 9-digit identifier assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency that uniquely identifies a Canadian business within the federal tax system. You need it for GST/HST registration, payroll deductions account setup, and corporate tax filing.
This guide covers how to find your business number through your Ownr dashboard, CRA My Business Account, official registries, and original documents.
No BN yet? Skip to FAQ #7.
Key Takeaways
- Your BN connects all your CRA accounts, including GST/HST, payroll, corporate tax, and import/export, under one 9-digit identifier.
- All Canadian businesses can retrieve their BN through CRA My Business Account, official registries, or original registration documents.
- Ownr users can find their BN in their dashboard under Organization > Company Info.
What is a CRA Business Number?
A CRA business number is a permanent, federally assigned 9-digit number that links a business entity to all CRA program accounts: GST/HST account, payroll deductions account, corporation income tax account, and import/export account. Each program account uses the BN plus a 2-letter identifier (e.g., 123456789 RT 0001 for GST/HST).
When you register or incorporate through Ownr, the CRA automatically assigns your BN. You can also receive one by registering directly with CRA or incorporating through Corporations Canada.
4 Ways to Find Your CRA Business Number
There are four places to check, starting with the quickest option for Ownr users.
Method 1: Check Your Ownr Dashboard (Fastest for Ownr Users)
If you registered a sole proprietorship or incorporated through Ownr, the fastest way to find my business number is through the dashboard:
- Log in to your Ownr account
- Click Organization in the sidebar
- Click Company Info
- Scroll to Organization Information. Your BN appears here.
CRA assigns the BN within moments of registration (up to 4 days for Ontario incorporations). See the CRA business number guide on Ownr’s help center.
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Important: Ownr does not display CRA business numbers for Ontario sole proprietorships created after August 5, 2025. To get your CRA business number, register your business on the CRA website.
For more details, see the Ontario section below and Ownr’s Ontario business number guide.
Method 2: Sign In to CRA My Business Account
Your business number appears on the Welcome page of My Business Account after you sign in. Log in with a CRA user ID and password, a Sign-In Partner (online banking credentials), or a provincial partner (BC Services Card or Alberta.ca Account) at the CRA sign-in page.
Setting up My Business Account requires your BN, so try another method if you don’t have it.
Method 3: Search an Official Business Registry
Several government registries offer CRA business number lookup for incorporated businesses:
- Canada’s Business Registries: A free federal search tool that checks across multiple provincial registries and Corporations Canada in one search. Use it to look up an incorporated business by name, business number, or registry ID.
- Provincial registries: For province-specific lookups, search the Ontario Business Registry at ontario.ca, BC Registries at corporateonline.gov.bc.ca, or your province’s own registry.
Public registry results do not include sole proprietorships. Methods 1, 2, and 4 all work for sole proprietors.
Method 4: Check Your Original Registration Documents
Your BN appears on all official CRA correspondence. Check your CRA registration confirmation (digital or mailed), Notice of Assessment, GST/HST registration confirmation, T2 corporation tax return, or T4 slips.
As of November 3, 2025, you must complete new BN registrations online through Business Registration Online (BRO).
Finding Your Business Number in Ontario
If you’re trying to find your business number in Ontario, the Ontario Business Registry at ontario.ca lets you search for incorporated businesses and not-for-profits.
Ontario businesses carry two separate identifiers. The CRA business number (BN) is your 9-digit, federally assigned number for federal tax purposes. The Ontario Business Identification Number (BIN) is a provincial number issued by the Ontario Business Registry.
On the Ownr dashboard, both appear in the Organization Information panel. Look for the field labeled Business Number for your CRA business number. The other field, Business Information Number, is your provincial BIN.
As mentioned in Method 1, Ownr does not display CRA business numbers for Ontario sole proprietorships created after August 5, 2025. Register directly with CRA through BRO. It may take up to 4 days for CRA to assign your Business Number.
Business Number vs Business Registration Number: What’s the Difference?
Canadian business owners often confuse four separate identifiers. Here’s how they differ.
The CRA business number (BN) is a 9-digit, government-issued number from the Canada Revenue Agency. You use it for GST/HST, payroll, and corporation income tax.
The business registration number (also called a BIN in Ontario) is a provincial identifier issued by a provincial business registry, such as the Ontario Business Registry. It identifies your business within the province.
The incorporation number (also called corporation number) is assigned by Corporations Canada or a provincial registry when you incorporate. People often confuse their business number with their corporation number. Your BN is your federal tax ID. Your corporation number confirms your business exists as a corporation.
The GST/HST account number is not a separate number. It is your BN plus “RT 0001.”
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Business Number
If more than 4 business days have passed since registration and you still don’t see a BN, CRA may not have assigned a new BN. This often happens when you previously registered a sole proprietorship under the same legal entity. Your existing BN carries over to the new registration.
If your original documents and online methods haven’t helped, reach out to the registry that handled your registration:
- Ontario Sole Proprietorships & Corporations: Ontario Business Registry
- Alberta Sole Proprietorships & Corporations: Alberta Registry Agent
- BC Sole Proprietorships & Corporations: BC Registries and Online Services
- Federal Corporations: Corporations Canada
If none of the above resolves the issue, call the CRA telephone service (1-800-959-5525), Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm ET.
Non-resident business owners should use the CRA online form to request a callback from a non-resident tax specialist.
Set Up Your Business with Ownr.co
When you incorporate or register a sole proprietorship through Ownr, Ownr handles your CRA registration. Your business number appears in your dashboard within moments. From there, Ownr handles your annual filings and stores your business records in one place.
Disclaimer: This article offers general information only, is current as of the date of publication, and is not intended as legal, financial, or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation.
While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change.
No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my business number the same as my GST number?
Not exactly. Your GST/HST account number is your 9-digit business number plus “RT 0001.” Same root number, different suffix.
Where can I find my business number on a CRA document?
Your BN appears on your Notice of Assessment, T2 corporation tax return, T4 slips, and your original CRA registration documents.
Can I look up another business’s CRA number?
Yes, for incorporated businesses. Search Canada’s Business Registries or Corporations Canada by name, and the BN appears in the results.
What if my business number is missing from my Ownr dashboard?
Most BNs appear within moments of registration, though Ontario incorporations may take up to 4 days. If your BN still hasn’t appeared, contact support@ownr.co.
How long does it take to get a CRA business number?
If you register online through BRO or Ownr, your BN typically appears instantly. Ontario incorporations through Ownr are the exception and may take up to 4 days.
Do I need a business number as a sole proprietor in Canada?
Most sole proprietors will. Once your revenue exceeds $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, you must register for GST/HST, and that requires a BN. You’ll also need one to open a business bank account at most Canadian financial institutions.
What if I registered as a sole proprietor and don’t have a BN yet?
Check My Business Account first. If you don’t have a BN, register for free through BRO. You can also call 1-800-959-5525 to check whether CRA assigned you a BN.
In Quebec, register separately with Revenu Québec to get a Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ).
Note that Ownr does not assign a BN for Ontario sole proprietorships created after August 5, 2025. Register through BRO directly.
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This article offers general information only, is current as of the date of publication, and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.