My Business Account: No More Paper Mail

Posted on February 26th, 2025 in Commodity Tax (HST), Domestic Tax

business mail pointing at electronic mail symbol

In the Spring of 2025, CRA will change the default method of correspondence for most businesses to online only. This means that most businesses will receive their notices of assessment, letters, forms, statements, and other documents from CRA through My Business Account rather than by traditional mail. Notifications that new mail is available online will be sent to the email address(es) registered on My Business Account. Business correspondence will be presumed to be received on the date that it is posted in My Business Account.

This change will apply to all of the following:

existing businesses registered for My Business Account;
businesses who have a representative that access taxpayer information through Represent a Client; and
all entities that register for a new business number or program account.

CRA recommended taxpayers sign in to My Business Account to ensure the email address on file is current. There can be up to three email addresses for each program account.

Owners of new businesses should ensure to register for My Business Account and provide a valid email address to ensure that they do not miss notifications or correspondence from CRA.

Impacted businesses can continue to receive paper mail by opting out of the online default by taking one of the following two actions starting in May 2025:

selecting paper mail as the delivery option in My Business Account; or
filling out and mailing Form RC681 – Request to Activate Paper Mail for Business to CRA.

No information was provided on the required lead time to avoid the transition and continue to receive traditional mail.

This change will not apply to the following who will continue to receive traditional mail:

existing businesses not registered for My Business Account through the business owner or an authorized representative (via Represent a Client);
charities, unless they sign up to receive online mail; and
non-resident businesses that do not have access to My Business Account through their representative or an owner who is a Canadian resident.

Ensure that your email address listed in My Business Account is up to date. Consider opting out of electronic only communications in May 2025, if that is your preference.

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Article originally published in: Tax Tips & Traps 2025 First Quarter – Issue 149.