  |
 |
| Français | Contact us | Help | Search | Canada Site |
| Home | What's new | E-services | Site map | Forms and publications |
| A to Z index | ||||
Frequently asked questions
- What is BRO?
- Who can use BRO?
- What are the benefits of BRO?
- What is the difference between a Business Number (BN) and a Business Identification Number (BIN)?
- Should I mail in my articles of incorporation once I have completed the registration using Business Registration On-Line?
- Will CRA be contacting me to request additional information once I have completed the Business Registration On-Line process?
- Who should I contact to update my business number client information once the registration is complete?
- Why can't a federally incorporated business register for a Business Number on-line?
- Who do I contact when I have problems with my credit card payment at time of registration?
- What do I need to know to register a payroll deduction account for domestic service?
The application is an on-line, one stop, self serve application that allows a user to register for a new Business Number, as well as for four major CRA programs (Corporate Income Tax, Goods and Services / Harmonized Sales Tax, Payroll Deductions, and Import / Export accounts). One can also register or apply for new Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia program accounts.
BRO is tailor-made for small and medium sized businesses that do not have complex registration requirements.
While almost all Canadian businesses can use BRO, the service will not offer registrations to non-residents seeking to register a GST/HST and/or Corporation Income Tax account. For more details, see RC4027, Doing Business in Canada - GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.
BRO does not offer GST/HST Registration for businesses with a mailing address in Québec. Instead, visit the Revenu Québec web site to register a GST/HST account.
BRO will not offer registrations to bare trusts. The restricted powers of a bare trust do not constitute a commercial activity, therefore bare trusts are not eligible to register for a Business Number or program accounts.
Please note: Businesses that incorporate federally with Industry Canada or provincially with the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba or British Columbia will get a Business Number at the time their articles of incorporation are processed. If you are incorporated within one of these jurisdictions and do not know your Business Number, contact your local Canada Revenue Agency office at 1-800-959-5525.
After the CRA mails confirmation of this Business Number (usually within five days), businesses can use it to register for other CRA, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or British Columbia programs (e.g.: GST/HST, Ontario Retail Sales Tax, New Brunswick Business Name, Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia accounts or British Columbia Provincial Sales Tax).
- One- Stop Service - Businesses can register on-line for key programs with more than one level of government in the same session. This saves time and duplicated effort.
- Convenient - Service available from your home and office anywhere in Canada well past normal business hours, and on Saturdays.
- Easy-to-Use - Businesses answer questions that guide them through the registration process. Helpful features, such as pop-up messages are displayed when missing or incorrect information is entered. There is also a toll-free help desk telephone number that is available.
- Secure - State-of-the-art encryption and security procedures. Users are given steps to follow to further protect their private information.
What is the difference between a Business Number (BN) and a Business Identification Number (BIN)?
The Business Number (BN) is a 15-digit government numbering system that identifies your business and the various accounts you maintain. This number should be used when communicating with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) about accounts you have or wish to create. For example, if you would like to discuss your GST/HST account or you would like to create a payroll account, you should quote your existing BN.
The Business Identification Number (BIN) is a 9-digit number used by the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Business Services to identify a provincial Business Name Registration. It appears on the Ontario Master Business Licence.
Once you receive your notice of confirmation via Canada Post, you will be requested to mail your articles of incorporation to the address provided on your notice.
No, the application was designed to prompt the user to answer all the necessary registration questions. What you have entered at the time of registration will be accepted as filed.
If you would like to change your existing client information you may call our toll-free number:
CRA: 1-800-959-5525
Why can't a federally incorporated business register for a Business Number on-line?
Industry Canada provides a federally incorporated business with its Business Number (BN) once it has processed the Articles of Incorporation. Once you have received confirmation of your Business Number via Canada Post, you may add the necessary program accounts using Business Registration On-Line.
Who do I contact when I have problems with my credit card payment at time of registration?
You should contact the province to which you are sending your payment. The CRA does not retain credit card information and forwards it on the province charging the fee for its program. The CRA does not validate the credit card information and there is no actual charge when credit card information is input into the BRO service.
All enquiries from Ontario clients should be made to Ontario Business Connects at 1-800-565-1921.
Any enquiries from New Brunswick clients should contact Service New Brunswick at 1-888-832-2762 from within New Brunswick or (506) 460-6136 from outside of the province.
Any enquiries from British Columbia clients should contact the OneStop Help Desk at 1-877-822-6727 from within British Columbia or (205) 370-0332 from outside the province.
What do I need to know to register a payroll deduction account for domestic service?
A payroll deduction account for domestic service is considered a sole proprietor or partner ownership type and is registered using the legal name(s) of the employer(s).
If you have comments or questions regarding the BRO Internet service, contact us through email at busreg@cra-arc.gc.ca.
 |
||
|
Date modified: 2006-02-08 |
 Top of page |
Important notices |