Government online accounts: how to sign in and fix common problems

CRA My Account, Service Canada, IRCC, GCKey and sign-in partners: which account for what, how to open it and what to do when you are locked out.

Start here

You rarely need a separate account for each service. Most federal services accept a sign-in partner (your bank's online login) or a GCKey (a username and password issued by the government). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has its own sign-in too. Pick one way to sign in for each service and write down which one you used.

Which account for what

Account	Use it for
CRA My Account	Tax returns, notices of assessment, tax slips, RRSP and TFSA room, benefit payments, address and direct deposit, representatives.
My Service Canada Account (official page ↗); you must be at least 12 and use it only for yourself	Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, your record of employment and tax slips from Service Canada.
IRCC secure account	Visas, work and study permits, permanent residence, citizenship: apply, track, receive messages.
CRA My Business Account	GST/HST, payroll deductions and corporate tax for a business.

The ways to sign in

Sign-In Partner: use the online-banking login you already have at a participating financial institution. The bank does not learn which service you use and the government does not see your banking. See the official sign-in page ↗.
GCKey: create a username and password at the GCKey service ↗. Write down the answers to your recovery questions: you need them if you forget your password. A GCKey account is tied to one service profile; if you register the same service again with a new GCKey you may not see your old file.
CRA user ID and password: for CRA My Account only.

Create your CRA My Account

Have ready your SIN, your date of birth, the amount on line 15000 of your latest tax return and an amount from another line of your current or previous return. You also need an email address on file.
Choose how to register: through a sign-in partner, with a CRA user ID and password, or (in Alberta and British Columbia only) with the provincial partner. A new user can register only one sign-in method with the CRA.
Prove your identity with the CRA's document verification service or with a security code mailed to you. If the code has not arrived after 10 business days, use the document verification service.
Turn on multi-factor authentication (required, except with a BC Services Card). Since February 2026 the CRA requires a backup method: a code grid or an authenticator app (a phone cannot be the backup, but can stay your main method). Update your address and set up direct deposit while you are in.

When something goes wrong

Locked out or forgot the password: use the "forgot" link on the sign-in page and follow the steps. Never give your password to an "assistant" who contacts you.
Lost your phone or authenticator: use the backup method you set up; if there is none, the service has an identity-check process. It takes longer, so register a backup now.
The service says your information does not match: check how your name is written on your SIN record versus your return. Differences in spelling, accents or order often cause the mismatch.
Your address changed: the security code goes to the address on file, so update it with the service first.
Pop-up blockers, VPNs and old browsers break some sign-in pages. Try a private window and an updated browser.

Scams

Fraudsters send emails, texts and calls that look like the CRA, Service Canada or IRCC and ask you to click a link to "claim a refund" or "avoid an arrest". Do not click. Type the website address yourself, or use the official app. Government sign-in pages never ask for your banking password by email. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ↗.

Provincial and territorial accounts

Provinces have their own sign-ins for health cards, driver's licences, vehicle registration and other services. Our government accounts page lists the main ones for each province and what they do, with a tip for each. Quebec's login is separate: see AtlasQuébec ↗.

Next steps

Once you can sign in, our guides on filing your income tax return and what to do after you file walk you through the most common task.

General information. Registration steps, security checks and available features are set by each government and change from time to time: follow the instructions on the official page.

Sources and limits

Official sources are linked in the guide. Written on November 13, 2026; confirm current rules, dates and forms with the responsible body.

General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting. Last reviewed : 2026-11-13.