Starting in the spring of 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is implementing a significant shift. CRA online mail for businesses is changing. Online mail will become the default method for most corporate tax correspondence in a move away from paper-based communication. For real estate investors and incorporated medical professionals, you need to take steps to avoid missed notices, penalties, and interest. If you aren’t prepared—or if you prefer to continue receiving paper mail—there are steps you can take to protect your business.
And your business may AUTOMATICALLY start receiving PRIMARILY digital mail…read on to find out why.
How I use CRA online mail for businesses…or not
Full disclosure – I rarely use CRA’s digital portal myself. For my family’s businesses, my wife Robin, handles all the CRA portal (My Business Account) set up, email notifications, and so on. And my team manages these steps for our clients. Frankly, you don’t want me trying to figure this out. But they have all assured me that it is a seamless process to manage online mail and can often be preferrable to paper communications. The key is ensuring you have proper notifications and email addresses set up and ensure that you are monitoring for these notifications regularly. And, of course, you do still have the option to stay with paper if you feel that is better for your business.
What is CRA online mail for businesses?
CRA online mail for businesses means that the CRA will deliver most of your tax-related communication through its online portal—My Business Account—instead of sending paper mail.
This applies to:
- Notices of assessment
- Source deduction statements
- Tax reminders and other correspondence
If you aren’t enrolled in direct deposit, you’ll still receive paper cheques, and a few other exceptions may exist. But in general, all communication will now be digital.
Timeline for CRA’s online mail transition
The CRA is rolling out this change in two key phases:
- May 12, 2025: CRA online mail became the default for new business number or program account registrations. In other words, if you have recently incorporated a business, or set up a new type of account with CRA, you will be receiving communication via the portal. No physical letters.
- June 16, 2025: The CRA will automatically switch to online mail for existing businesses that:
- Have already registered for My Business Account, or
- Have authorized a representative via Represent a Client.
So, for my clients who have authorized me (i.e. BDO and the team) to represent them, your mail has automatically been switched to digital. No more paper notices.
If your business doesn’t fall into either group, you’ll still get letters sent to you via snail mail. But CRA is clearly trying to move away from any paper-based communication.
What if you want to keep receiving paper mail?
If you prefer traditional mail, you must:
- Opt in to paper mail delivery.
- Renew your request every two years.
So set a reminder if you want to continue to receive mailed letters.
There are two ways to request paper correspondence:
- Online:
Log in to CRA My Business Account, select your business, and update your mail preferences. - By mail:
Complete CRA Form RC681 – Request to Activate Paper Mail for My Business and send it to your local tax centre. The CRA will continue to process your online mail during the 30-day turnaround for this form.
Important: If your mailing address becomes outdated or undeliverable, the CRA will revert your business to online mail.
How to register for CRA My Business Account
To ensure you don’t miss critical correspondence, register for a CRA My Business Account if you haven’t already.
Start here:
CRA Login Services – My Business Account
Once registered:
- Make sure your email address is current so you receive alerts
- Check your account regularly for updates
Checklist: CRA online mail changes for businesses
To ensure access to online mail:
□ Register for My Business Account
□ Add email address in My Business Account for mail notifications
□ Monitor My Business Account mail
If continuing paper mail:
□ Opt-in via My Business Account
□ Renew paper mail opt-in every 2 years
More help with how CRA online mail for businesses is changing
If you need help managing this transition or understanding how it applies to your practice or investment corporation, my team and I are happy to help.
Resources
For additional resources related to how to CRA online mail for businesses is changing, see:
More questions?
Still have questions? I want to help you Do wonderful things®, so please contact me today.
Remember – circumstances are unique! This information is summary in nature. Seek out advice from your tax advisor about your specific situation.