Business Registration Online (BRO) is the CRA’s online route for a new Business Number (BN) and eligible CRA program accounts, including GST/HST. You need a CRA account to use it. New registrations for BNs and CRA program accounts moved online in November 2025; CRA directs callers seeking a new registration to BRO. CRA: online business registration
Prepare before opening BRO
Gather the legal and operating business names, owner names and SINs, mailing and physical addresses, business type, major activity, main products/services, and incorporation details if applicable. If the business already has a nine-digit BN, have it and information that matches CRA records. For GST/HST, also determine the effective date, fiscal-year information, and annual revenue information before registering. CRA: gather registration information
What happens in the session
Sign in to a CRA account, add a Business Account, then select the registration option. CRA says the session expires after 10 minutes of inactivity and cannot be saved partway through. Save or print the BN and program-account number during the session because CRA will not send the BN afterward. CRA: GST/HST registration through BRO
When BRO does not fit
CRA lists restrictions: BRO cannot reactivate a closed account, register a business owned by another business, register when an owner or director is deceased, or register a Canadian business with only non-resident owners. A sole proprietor using a temporary SIN starting with 9 must use BRO for GST/HST registration, while a director, partner, or trustee with such a SIN uses Form RC1. Use CRA’s other registration route where one applies. CRA registration restrictions
After registration
Add the BN to the CRA account to manage the program account. For a GST/HST account, registration creates obligations to charge, collect, file, remit, and keep records from the effective date; it does not decide the tax rate for every sale. See GST/HST registration in Canada and filing guidance for those next jobs.