CRA accounts
Business number in Ontario: how to get a CRA BN
Your nine-digit federal identifier for dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-05. Always confirm with the official source before filing.
Step by step
- Check whether you already have one. Ontario corporations are usually issued a BN at incorporation. Check your incorporation documents.
- Register through Business Registration Online. Use the CRA's online service, or call the CRA business line.
- Open program accounts. Add the accounts you need, such as RT (GST/HST), RP (payroll), RC (corporate income tax), RM (import/export).
BN vs BIN vs Ontario Corporation Number
- BN: federal, from the CRA, used for taxes. Nine digits plus a program suffix like RT0001.
- BIN: Ontario Business Identification Number, issued when you register a business name.
- Ontario Corporation Number: the province's identifier for a corporation.
Do sole proprietors need one?
Not always. A sole proprietor with no HST, payroll or import activity can report income on their personal return without a BN.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to get a business number?
No. The CRA issues business numbers free of charge.
How do I find my business number?
It appears on CRA correspondence, and for corporations on incorporation documents. You can also see it in CRA My Business Account.
Is a business number the same as an HST number?
Your HST number is your BN with the RT program suffix, for example 123456789RT0001.