Entity Setup
How to Navigate Canada’s New BN & CRA Program Account Online Registration Requirement
If you’re starting a business or registering new CRA program accounts in Canada, phone-based registration is no longer an option—learn what you must do starting November 3, 2025.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • November 22, 2025
## What’s Changing and Why
Effective **November 3, 2025**, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will no longer accept new Business Number (BN) or CRA program account registrations by phone. Instead, all such registrations must be done online via Business Registration Online *(BRO)*. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai)) This shift is happening because the CRA wants to accelerate processing, improve security, and modernize access for businesses. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/corporations/whats-new-corporations.html?utm_source=openai))
## Who Needs to Use BRO
This applies to any business that needs to:
- Get a new **Business Number**
- Register for program accounts such as **GST/HST**, **corporation income tax**, **payroll deductions**, **information returns**, **luxury tax**, **underused housing tax**, or **registered charity status**, etc. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
### Exceptions
BRO won’t work in some cases:
- Businesses owned entirely by non-residents without a Canadian resident director or authorized representative with CRA account access. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
- Businesses with another business as their owner or whose program accounts were previously closed. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
- Reactivating closed accounts or registering certain types of program accounts may still require paper forms or special processes. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
## Step-by-Step: Registering Online
Here’s what to do via BRO:
1. Go to your CRA account and choose “Business Registration Online.” ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai))
2. Gather your business information: legal name, owner(s)’ names, Social Insurance Numbers (SINs), date of birth, address, description of business activity. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/gst-hst-businesses/gst-hst-account/register-account.html?utm_source=openai))
3. Confirm identity as part of the secure login process. Save or print your BN when done (CRA won’t send it separately). ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai))
4. If needed, add program accounts to your BN in the same session (e.g. payroll, GST/HST). ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
## What This Means Practically
- **Quicker setup**: You get your BN and program account numbers instantly—no wait time on hold or delays from phone registrations. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai))
- **More online self-service**: Reduced reliance on telephone support for registration tasks. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai))
- **Digital record-keeping**: With most business correspondence now by default sent through CRA’s My Business Account portal. Keep your email updated! ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-businesses/business-account/about-business-account/online-mail-for-business.html?utm_source=openai))
## Example Scenarios
| Scenario | What Changes for You |
|---|---|
| **New small online shop in Ontario** wants a GST/HST account | Use BRO to get both BN and GST/HST program license; can’t call to do it after Nov 3. |
| **Consultant already using a BN but needs to add payroll deductions** | Add the payroll program account via BRO, provided it’s not one of the exception cases. |
| **Foreign-owned entity with no Canadian resident director** | May still need to use paper forms or alternate registration paths; BRO may not accept registration. |
## Action Items for Business Owners / Entrepreneurs
- If you haven’t yet set up BRO access, **create a CRA account** ahead of time. That way you’re ready. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2025/businesses-go-online-register-business-number-cra-program-account.html?utm_source=openai))
- Make sure your business information is accurate and you have all documentation needed (owner info, addresses, business structure). ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
- For businesses under one of the exceptions, plan ahead and request the correct form(s) or guidance. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/business-registration-online-overview.html?utm_source=openai))
- Monitor your CRA My Business Account for mail and notices—CRA correspondence is going digital. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-businesses/business-account/about-business-account/online-mail-for-business.html?utm_source=openai))
## Takeaway
Canada’s move to online-only registrations for new BNs and CRA program accounts is about speed, security, and simplifying the start-up process. If you’re launching a business or need to register program accounts, plan to use **Business Registration Online** beginning **November 3, 2025**, and avoid delay or confusion by ensuring your online presence with CRA is set up and ready to go.