CRA Announces Shift to Online Mail for Businesses Starting Spring 2025

As a forward-thinking approach to service delivery, this transition aligns with the agency’s goal of providing faster, more efficient communication while supporting Canada’s environmental sustainability objectives.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that starting in spring 2025, online mail will become the default method for delivering most business-related correspondence.

These correspondences include notices, updates, letters, forms, statements, reminders, and other documents sent by the CRA to communicate important information about business tax accounts and returns.

The transition to online mail highlights the CRA’s commitment to improving efficiency, enhancing security, and supporting sustainability.

It will allow Canadian businesses to access everything the CRA communicates digitally through their My Business Account or through authorized representatives using Represent a Client.

The switch to online mail applies to:

• Businesses registering for a business number or CRA program accounts after spring 2025.
• Existing businesses already enrolled in My Business Account.
• Authorized representatives managing accounts through Represent a Client.

Businesses that are not registered for My Business Account, charities, and non-resident businesses without access to a Canadian representative will continue to receive paper correspondence unless they opt into online mail.

Improving communication between the CRA and Canadian businesses

The CRA’s introduction of online mail is a significant upgrade designed to simplify communication and improve how Canadian businesses manage their tax-related matters.

Online mail will provide a faster means of delivering updates and notices. This will ensure businesses have timely access to critical information and correspondence and can, therefore, act swiftly on important matters.

Additionally, the system prioritizes security using advanced encryption and secure login protocols so that sensitive business information remains well-protected.

Online mail also offers more convenience to Canadian businesses, who will now be able to access their correspondence anytime, anywhere, through their My Business Account or via authorized representatives.

Moreover, the initiative supports the adoption of eco-friendly practices. Reducing reliance on paper-based communication contributes to Canada’s environmental goals and helps to promote sustainability.

How to prepare for the transition

To prepare for the transition to online mail, businesses are encouraged to:

1. Register for My Business Account: Ensure you are enrolled and can access your CRA account digitally.
2. Update email preferences: Confirm or update the email address associated with your account to receive alerts about new online correspondence.
3. Review preferences for paper mail: Businesses preferring paper correspondence can request it by submitting Form RC681 by mail or online through My Business Account. Requests for paper mail must be renewed every two years.

Where to view your business correspondence online

With the change to online mail, business correspondence will be considered as received on the date they are posted to business accounts. Here’s how you can access, view, print, or download your CRA business correspondence:

For businesses:

1. Sign in to your CRA account using your credentials.
2. Select the mail icon in the Business panel.
3. Select and review your mail items.

For authorized representatives:

1. Sign in to your CRA account and navigate to your Representative account.
2. Enter the business number associated with the client and select Access BN.
3. In the navigation menu on the left, under Correspondence, select Mail.
4. Select and review the business correspondence.

For more information about CRA online mail and to ensure your business is prepared for this change, please reach out to one of our trade professionals.