# CRA login: choosing a sign-in option and fixing login errors Source: https://canadataxdesk.com/cra-account/cra-login-help Publisher: Canada Tax Desk (canadataxdesk.com), independent editorial site Topic: CRA Account Last updated: 2026-09-18 > To use the CRA login, go to the Sign in to your CRA account page on canada.ca and pick one of three routes: a CRA user ID and password, a Sign-In Partner that uses your online banking, or a BC or Alberta provincial ID. Use the same route you registered with. Most failed logins come from picking the wrong route, a changed bank, or an expired passcode. ## Key facts - Where to log in: canada.ca, Sign in to your CRA account - Routes: CRA user ID, Sign-In Partner, provincial partner (BC, Alberta) - Passcode app codes: 6 digits, refresh every 30 seconds - Lock after wrong passcodes: 30 minutes; permanent after 3 lockouts - Accepted MFA phone numbers: North American Numbering Plan countries ## The official CRA login page There is one legitimate starting point for a CRA login: the Sign in to your CRA account page on canada.ca. From there you choose Personal (My Account), Business or Represent a Client. Type canada.ca into your browser or use a bookmark you saved yourself rather than clicking a link in a message. The page itself does not ask for your SIN. It sends you to the route you pick, then asks for a one-time passcode. If a page asks for your SIN, card PIN or banking password before you have chosen a route, stop and close it. Not registered yet? The login screen will not work until you finish setup, which is covered in our guide to [register for CRA My Account](https://canadataxdesk.com/cra-account/cra-my-account-register). ## CRA user ID vs Sign-In Partner login Both routes lead to the same account and the same records. The difference is who holds your credentials and what can break. ### How a Sign-In Partner login works A Sign-In Partner is a bank or credit union that takes part in Interac's sign-in service. The CRA lists 25, including the big five banks, Desjardins, Tangerine, Simplii Financial, Wealthsimple and several credit unions. You are sent to your bank's login page, sign in there, and come back to the CRA already identified. The weak spot is change. If you close that bank account or lose online access, the route stops working. The CRA lets you switch to another Sign-In Partner only while you still have access to the old one, so switch before you close an account, not after. ### Can I use a CRA user ID instead of my bank? Yes. If you registered with a bank but want independent credentials, go through the registration process again and choose CRA user ID and password. Your records stay the same; only the way in changes. ## Provincial digital ID login options Residents of British Columbia and Alberta have a third route. The BC Services Card and the Alberta.ca Account are accepted as provincial partners. Unlike the other two routes, a provincial partner lets you register even if you have never filed a tax return, and it gives full access without waiting for a mailed code. People in other provinces and territories cannot use this route yet and need either a CRA user ID or a Sign-In Partner. ## Why my CRA login is not working: common errors Work through this list in order. Each item fixes a different kind of failure, and the early ones are the most common. | Problem | What is going on | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | Login goes to the wrong bank or loops | Browser autofill or an old bank session | Clear autofill for banking sites, close the browser, start again | | Passcode rejected | Code expired or phone clock out of sync | Wait for a fresh code; set phone time to automatic | | No text arrives | New phone number or number outside North America | Use your backup MFA option | | Locked for 30 minutes | Too many wrong passcodes | Wait, then use a different enrolled option | | Account not found after bank login | You registered with a different route | Log in with the route you set up | CRA login problems and fixes If the lock does not clear or you have forgotten your user ID, our page on a [CRA account locked](https://canadataxdesk.com/cra-account/cra-account-locked) explains the self-service recovery path. Passcode problems are covered in more depth under [CRA multi-factor authentication](https://canadataxdesk.com/cra-account/cra-backup-mfa). > **Shared computer:** The CRA warns against saving online banking details in browser autofill on a shared device. Autofill can sign you in with another household member's bank credentials and link their bank login to your tax account. ## Staying safe from fake CRA login pages Fake CRA sign-in pages copy the look of canada.ca and arrive through texts and emails about refunds or benefits. The CRA does not start conversations by text, and its only texts are the passcodes you ask for when signing in. - Check the address bar shows canada.ca before you type anything. - Ignore any message with a link that promises a refund or credit. - Use the sign-in history in Security settings to spot logins you did not make. - Never read a passcode aloud to someone who phones you. Once you are in, the [CRA My Account guide](https://canadataxdesk.com/cra-account) shows where to find notices, slips and banking details. ## Common questions ### How do I log in to the CRA? Open the Sign in to your CRA account page on canada.ca, choose Personal for My Account, then pick the route you registered with: CRA user ID, Sign-In Partner or provincial partner. Enter the one-time passcode sent to your chosen MFA option. ### What is a CRA sign-in partner? It is a participating bank or credit union that lets you use your online banking login to reach the CRA through Interac's service. Your bank confirms who you are, but your banking details are not shared with the CRA. ### Why does my CRA login keep saying my passcode is wrong? Passcodes expire quickly, and authenticator codes change every 30 seconds. Make sure your phone's clock is set automatically and enter the newest code. Too many misses lock you out for 30 minutes. ### Can I log in to the CRA with my bank if I changed banks? Only if your new bank is a Sign-In Partner and you switch before losing access to the old one. If the old bank login is already gone, register again with a CRA user ID or the new bank. ### Is there a CRA login app? The CRA account is a website, reached through canada.ca in any browser. The only app you may need is a third-party authenticator app for passcodes, if you chose that MFA option. ## Sources - [My Account for individuals: CRA sign-in](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/digital-services-individuals/account-individuals.html) - [About Sign-In Partners: CRA account help](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/cra-login-services/help-cra-sign-in-services/sign-in-partners.html) - [Multi-factor authentication: CRA account help](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/cra-login-services/help-cra-sign-in-services/multi-factor-authentication.html) - [Recognize a scam](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/recognize-scam.html)