Avoid Tax Season Delays by Keeping Your CRA Account Up To Date
Why Updating Your Cra Account Before Tax Season Matters
Tax season has a way of sneaking up on even the most organized Canadians. While many people focus on gathering receipts and documents, one of the most overlooked (and most important) steps is making sure your CRA My Account is up to date before tax season officially begins.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is encouraging taxpayers to take a few minutes now to review and update their online account to avoid delays, missed notices, or access issues later — when time and patience are usually in short supply.
At M7 Group, we see this every year: small issues that could have been fixed in minutes turn into major headaches during filing season. Here’s what you need to know — and what to do now.
Why Your CRA Account Matters More Than You Think
Your CRA My Account is more than just a login page. It’s where the CRA communicates with you, processes refunds, issues notices, and verifies your identity. If your account isn’t accessible or updated, you may experience:
Delayed tax refunds
Missed CRA notices or requests
Locked or suspended access
Identity verification problems
Filing delays for you or your accountant
In short: if your CRA account isn’t in good shape, tax season becomes unnecessarily stressful.
A Quick CRA Account Checklist
Taking a few minutes now can save hours later. Here’s what we recommend checking before tax season starts:
1. Confirm You Can Log In
This sounds basic, but it’s the most common issue we see.
Make sure you know your CRA username and password
Test your login before you actually need it
Reset your credentials now if anything looks off
Waiting until the filing deadline to discover you’re locked out is a recipe for frustration.
2. Set Up Backup Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
The CRA uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect your account. If you lose access to your primary method (phone number, authenticator app, etc.), you could be completely locked out.
Make sure you:
Add a backup MFA option
Confirm your current phone number is correct
Remove old or unused devices
This step alone can prevent days (or weeks) of access issues.
3. Update Key Personal Information
Outdated information can delay refunds and create verification problems. Double-check that your:
Mailing address is current
Direct deposit details are accurate
Email and phone number are up to date
Even small mismatches can trigger CRA reviews or missed correspondence.
Why Doing This Early Makes a Big Difference
During peak tax season, CRA wait times increase, verification processes slow down, and small issues take longer to resolve. By preparing early, you:
-
Avoid last-minute CRA phone calls
-
Reduce filing delays
-
Help your accountant work faster and more efficiently
-
Lower the risk of missed deadlines or penalties
A little preparation now can eliminate a lot of stress later.
Need Help Accessing Your CRA Account or Getting Organized?
If you’re struggling to access your CRA account, unsure whether your information is correct, or simply want to be fully prepared for tax season, you don’t have to handle it alone.
M7 Group helps individuals and business owners:
-
Regain access to CRA My Account
-
Get organized for personal and business tax filing
-
Avoid common CRA-related delays and mistakes
-
Stay compliant and stress-free during tax season
