Canada/PEI Business Service Centres
Business Number - BN
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Last Verified:
2004-11-09
Related Reading
More Information
The Business Number (BN) is a reference numbering system that replaces the multiple numbers businesses required to deal with government. The BN is designed to help businesses reduce costs and increase competitiveness; it also increases government efficiency and helps it deliver one-stop service at Business Windows.
A sample BN might be 123456789 RP 0004
Eligibility Criteria
Canadian businesses that register for one or more of the following accounts:
- Corporate Income Tax;
- Importer/Exporter account number;
- Payroll (source) deductions (Trust accounts);
- Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized sales tax (GST/HST).
Summary
The first nine digits are the registration number. This registration number will stay the same no matter how many or what types of accounts a business has.
The next six digits identify the account, as follows:
Code |
Account Type |
See the document... |
|
RC |
Corporate Income Tax |
Income Tax Returns - the T2 Corporate Income Tax Return and the T2 Short Return |
RM |
Importer / Exporter Account Number |
Importer/Exporter Account Number |
RP |
Payroll Deductions |
Trust Account |
RT |
GST |
Goods and Services Tax and Harmonized Sales Tax - GST/HST |
How do I get a Business Number?
New businesses will get their BNs when they register for one or more of the four accounts that the BN includes.
Business Registration on-line:
This Business Registration On-line (BRO) service is provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and its provincial partners, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. It is designed so that businesses can conveniently register themselves for CRA, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia programs at one time.
Quebec
In Quebec, the ministère du Revenu du Québec (MRQ) administers GST on behalf of the CRA, so businesses registering in Quebec have to contact both the CRA and the MRQ. Contact the MRQ by calling, toll-free 1-800-567-4692, or by visiting the MRQ Web site.
Publications on the BN
Several forms and publications on the Business Number are available in hard copy by calling 1-800-959-2221 or on line.
Additional Information
The Social Insurance Number Disclosure Regulations specify that every individual who registers for the GST must present their Social Insurance Number. For more information, see the document Social Insurance Number -SIN.
For more information on the above, please contact the CRA Business Window closest to you (see Related Reading: Business Window - Supplement or CRA's Web site for a list of addresses).
Prince Edward Island Contact(s):
See National Contact.
National Contact(s):
Canada Revenue Agency
Toll-free (information): 1-800-959-5525 (Business Enquiries and Registrations)
Toll-free (publications): 1-800-959-2221 (Forms and Publications)
Web site:
http://www.cra.gc.ca/menu-e.html
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