CRA is defaulting to online mail for businesses

As of May 12, 2025, paper mail has ceased and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has transitioned to online notifications as the default method of delivering most business correspondence.

This means you’ll start receiving most of your business notices and other correspondence through the My Business Account portal in your CRA account, instead of in the mail.

Which businesses does this apply to?
Are there any exceptions?
When does this take effect?
How do I view the online notifications?
What can I do to prepare for this change?
How do I request paper mail instead?

Which businesses does this apply to?

• Existing businesses who have already registered for My Business Account
• Businesses who have given online access to a representative via Represent a Client
• All new businesses (as of May 12)
• All new CRA program account registrations (as of May 12)

Are there any exceptions?

Existing businesses that do not have access to My Business Account Existing businesses that do not have access to My Business Account through a CRA account by the business owner and an authorized representative will continue to receive their CRA correspondence by paper mail.

Charities Charities will continue to receive their CRA correspondence by paper mail unless they request to receive their CRA mail online.

Non-resident businesses Non-resident businesses that do not have an owner or director that is a Canadian resident and do not have access to My Business Account through a representative will continue to receive their CRA correspondence by paper mail.

When does this take effect?

Phase 1 • May 12, 2025 - New businesses and program account registrations

Effective May 12, 2025, by default, all new business and program account registrations will receive most of their business correspondence online in the My Business Account portal of their CRA account. This includes new corporations registered through the federal or provincial incorporating authorities.

Phase 2 • June 16, 2025 - Existing businesses

Effective June 16, 2025, existing businesses that meet the conditions will be changed to CRA online mail as the default method of receiving most business correspondence.

How do I view the online notifications?

You will need to sign in to your CRA account to access, view, print, or download your business correspondence (notices, letters, forms, statements, and other documents).

• Step 1 Sign in to your CRA account
• Step 2 Select the mail icon in the Business tile
• Step 3 Select and review your mail items

If you are an authorized representative

• Step 1 Sign in to your CRA account
• Step 2 Select your Representative account to go to Represent a Client
• Step 3 Enter the business number and select Access BN
• Step 4 Select Mail in the navigation menu on the left, under Correspondence
• Step 5 Select and review the business correspondence

What can I do to prepare for this change?

• Make sure your email address is added to your account and is up-to-date
• Sign in to your CRA account to ensure you have access to all your business numbers
• Businesses registering for a new business number or a CRA program account will need to register for a CRA account and provide a valid email address

How do I request paper mail instead?

You’ll need to make a request to activate paper mail. The request can only be made by an individual with signing authority such as an owner or director or legal representative, and must be completed within your My Business Account or by completing and submitting the following form:

FORM RC681 – Request to Activate Paper Mail for my Business

• You must keep your mailing address up-to-date
• Any undeliverable mail will result in a change back to online mail
• You’ll need to make a request to activate paper mail every two years

Questions?

If you have any questions about this article, need help with CRA business correspondence, or want to know more about the services we offer, please contact one of our Tax Experts or complete the contact form below.