CRA account locked: how to unlock it and get back in

Why a CRA account gets locked

The CRA locks an account when someone enters wrong information too many times. That protects you if a stranger is guessing, but it also catches people who mistype. The CRA lists five places where repeated misses trigger a lock.

A separate category is a lock or revocation the CRA applies itself, for example when it sees signs that an account was compromised. That lock is deliberate, and nothing you do online will lift it.

How to reopen a locked CRA account yourself

Since February 2026 the CRA has offered self-service account recovery. If you are locked out because you forgot your sign-in information or security answers, you can get back in online without phoning.

1. If the lock came from wrong passcodes, wait the full 30 minutes. Do not keep retrying during the lock.
2. After the wait, sign in and choose a different MFA option you already enrolled, such as your passcode grid or authenticator app.
3. If you forgot your user ID, password or security answers, go to the canada.ca sign-in page and start registration again.
4. Re-verify your identity with the document verification service or a CRA security code.
5. Confirm with an MFA option you set up earlier, then create new credentials. Your tax records, mail and banking details stay in place.

Step 5 is where a backup MFA option pays off. Recovery asks for an existing passcode method, so people who only had one phone number on file and lost it are the ones most often forced to call. Our page on CRA multi-factor authentication explains how to add a second one.

When you need to call the CRA

Self-service does not cover every case. Call the CRA using the individual enquiries number on its official contact page if any of these apply.

• You have been locked out for wrong passcodes 3 times, which makes the lock permanent.
• The CRA locked or revoked your credentials for security reasons.
• You tried registering again and still cannot get in.
• You no longer have access to any MFA option you enrolled.

Have your SIN, date of birth, address and a recent notice of assessment ready. The agent will ask identifying questions before making changes. A genuine CRA agent will not ask for your banking password or a passcode you received by text.

Can I file my taxes if my CRA account is locked?

Yes. A locked CRA account does not stop you from filing. NETFILE runs through certified tax software and does not need a CRA login, so you can still transmit your return while you sort out access. Our NETFILE guide covers the process.

What you lose is convenience. The Auto-fill my return feature needs a working CRA login, so you will type slip amounts by hand. You also cannot see your notice of assessment until you are back in, because digital notices are only shown in My Account since February 2026.

The NETFILE access code on your last notice is optional, so leave it blank if you cannot retrieve it. For a 2026 return in the 2027 season, the NETFILE opening date is not yet announced; the CRA usually publishes it in the fall.

Preventing future CRA account locks

A few minutes of setup now avoids the phone queue later.

If your trouble is signing in rather than a lock, the CRA login help page covers routes and error messages. For an overview of the whole account, start with the CRA My Account guide.