The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issues Business Numbers (BNs) to registered businesses. The BN is the only number businesses use to identify themselves when communicating with the federal government. It provides access to all business-related accounts, including the GST (Goods and Services Tax) and HST (Harmonized Sales Tax.) As of July 2015, you can contact the CRA about your BN or GST account by phone or online.

How to Identify a BN

Check Your Paperwork

Contact the CRA

If you cannot locate your BN or GST account number on your paperwork you can contact the CRA at 1-800-959-5525. To get an access code to review your GST account online, you can contact the CRA at 1-877-322-7849 from within Canada, or 613-940-8528 if you are calling from outside North America. You can also visit the Access Code Online website.

Using the Access Code Online Website

To access your GST account online, you will need an Access Code. You should have received it in the mail. If it has been misplaced, you can enter certain information on the Access Code Online website to get a new number. You must enter your BN and the reporting period of the return you need to access online. You must also enter either:

  • The line 109 (net tax) amount from a previous return, provided that amount is not $0, or;
  • The confirmation number from a return provided electronically.

If you're still unable to find your GST number, again, you can call the CRA e-Services Help Desk at 1-877-322-7849 or 613-940-8528 outside North America.