Entity Setup
Streamlining Business Registration: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About CRA’s BRO Access Changes
Starting July 14, 2026, Business Registration Online (BRO) access will change—learn how this affects registering your business number, program accounts, and staying compliant.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • July 27, 2026
## What’s Changing with BRO Access
As of **July 14, 2026**, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will require that all access to Business Registration Online (BRO) be done through a CRA account. This means you’ll need to sign in using your CRA credentials, a Sign-In Partner, or a provincial partner (if you're in BC or Alberta). ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2026/businesses-changes-are-coming-way-you-access-business-registration-online.html?utm_source=openai))
BRO allows you to obtain a Business Number (BN) and open program accounts, such as GST/HST and payroll accounts. Rather than registering separately on a distinct BRO portal, everything must now flow through your CRA account. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2026/businesses-changes-are-coming-way-you-access-business-registration-online.html?utm_source=openai))
## Why the Shift? Security & Efficiency
- Improves verification of identity when registering new businesses or accounts—minimizing fraud risks. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2026/businesses-changes-are-coming-way-you-access-business-registration-online.html?utm_source=openai))
- Reduces duplication of accounts and streamlines future communication with CRA.
- Faster submission and instant confirmation of BN & program accounts instead of waiting.
## Who Needs to Adjust
| Situation | Action Required by July 14, 2026 | Exception Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Starting a new business | Create or access your CRA account, register via BRO through it | Businesses owned by another business, estates, or whose directors are deceased may still need to use Form RC1 |
| Adding CRA program accounts to existing BN | Use your CRA account to add program accounts via BRO | Same exceptions apply |
| Do not yet have CRA account or access | Register for My Business Account (or My Account), verify identity via document verification | If unable to meet these requirements, use legacy registration methods (e.g. RC1 form) |
## Practical Steps to Prepare
1. **Set up your CRA account** now if you don’t already have one. Visit the CRA website, register, and complete identity verification. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/newsroom/tax-tips/tax-tips-2026/businesses-changes-are-coming-way-you-access-business-registration-online.html?utm_source=openai))
2. **Browse the new process early**—CRA has posted guides and examples to show the new flow for registering BNs and accounts. ([canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/e-services/canada-revenue-electronic-mailing-lists/businesses-tax-information-newsletters/businesses-newsletter-2026-06-11.html?utm_source=openai))
3. **Check if you fall under exceptions**, such as business ownership by another business, inactive/newcomer status, etc., and prepare the alternative Form RC1 as needed.
4. **Update email contact info** in your CRA-account, to ensure you receive confirmations and follow-ups promptly.
## Benefits to Expect
- **Faster registrations** with immediate confirmation of your BN and program accounts.
- **Improved security** through verified identities and fewer attack vectors.
- **Simplified ongoing interactions** with CRA, with a unified portal rather than fragmented services.
## Business Setup Tips
- If you’re a **freelancer or sole proprietor**, registering for a BN and GST/HST through BRO might now use a slightly different workflow—there’s no separate portal login anymore.
- If signing up for payroll account numbers or opening HST accounts, ensure all business owners/directors listed are updated in CRA’s system; mismatches can delay registration.
- For those expanding or creating partner accounts (e.g. adding program accounts for existing BNs), plan ahead so registrations align with contracts or fiscal periods.
## Final Word
These changes mark a significant modernization of how Canadians start and manage businesses. The key is preparing **before July 14, 2026**—CRA account creation, identity verification, and confirming whether you fall under exceptions. Getting ahead of BRO’s transition will save time, prevent delays, and keep your business compliant from day one.
*Note: For full details, see the CRA news release “Businesses: Changes are coming to the way you access Business Registration Online.”*