Choose the method before the due date, not on it
The CRA accepts several ways to pay, and they differ in speed, cost and paperwork. The right choice depends mostly on how close you are to the deadline and whether you need a one-time payment or a series. The CRA’s own waiting periods are the most useful planning figures: allow about 5 business days before checking that an online banking payment has arrived, and 10 business days, plus mailing time, for a cheque or money order.
Before choosing, confirm the amount and what it is for, such as a balance owing on a return, an instalment or a reassessment. Our guide to CRA tax deadlines for 2026 and 2027 lists the dates; this guide covers how to pay once you know the amount.
Pay electronically for the fastest and simplest route
Online banking is the option most people use. You add the CRA as a payee on your bank’s or credit union’s website or app, choose the payee option that matches what you are paying, and send a single or scheduled payment. The CRA stresses choosing the correct payee option so the payment is applied as you intend, so use its payee examples. No remittance voucher is needed.
My Payment is a CRA service for one-time payments by debit. It accepts Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard from a participating bank or credit union, and Apple Pay, Google Pay or Konek. Credit cards are not accepted. The CRA charges no fee, although your financial institution may. A payment is usually considered paid the same business day, but one made after 10:00 pm local time, on a weekend or on a statutory holiday is dated the next business day, and it can take up to 3 business days to appear in your account.
Use a credit card only if you accept the fee
The CRA does not accept credit card payments directly. Third-party providers accept credit cards, and in some cases Interac e-Transfer, then forward the payment and its details to the CRA. They charge a service fee that varies by provider, and accepted methods differ.
A credit card can make sense if it helps you manage cash flow for a short period, but compare the provider’s fee with the interest you would otherwise face on an unpaid balance. Ask the provider how long posting takes, and allow for it before the due date.
Pay in person or by mail when you need to
At a bank or credit union teller you need a remittance voucher, and the CRA does not accept photocopies. If you do not have one, print or order a payment form from the CRA. The CRA also lists bank and credit union ATMs, where you may have to add the CRA as a payee first, and wire transfers, where availability depends on the institution.
Canada Post retail locations accept payment with a customized QR code, by debit or cash, and Canada Post charges service fees. By mail, send a cheque or money order in Canadian funds drawn on a Canadian institution with the remittance voucher. If you have no voucher, include a copy of the payment request notice, or write your full CRA account number on the cheque memo line. The CRA never accepts cryptocurrency, gift cards, traveller’s cheques, cash by mail or foreign currency.
Spread the payments if you cannot pay in full
If you cannot pay right away, you can schedule a series of pre-authorized debit payments in My Account, with the first payment scheduled at least 5 business days ahead. You can change, cancel or skip a payment, but you must do so at least 5 business days before the scheduled date. Some debts cannot be scheduled online, so call the CRA for those.
An arrangement only holds if you keep to it. The CRA says you must pay on the agreed dates, file future returns on time and stay current. If you pay less than agreed without changing the arrangement first, the CRA may take legal action. Benefit and credit payments may still be applied to your debt. Our guide on catching up on late taxes covers penalties and relief in more detail.
Keep proof and check that the payment posted
Save the confirmation number, a screenshot or the bank record. After the waiting period, check your CRA account to see that the payment appears against the right year and type of balance. If a My Payment amount has not appeared after 5 business days, the CRA provides steps to resolve the issue.
A payment applied to the wrong year or balance is one thing to watch for. Keep the notice of assessment or instalment reminder handy so the details match, and contact the CRA or your accountant promptly if something looks wrong.
Your conversation checklist
- Confirm the amount owing and the type of balance
- Note the due date and subtract the method’s waiting period
- Choose online banking or My Payment for the quickest route
- Add the CRA as a payee using the right option for what you are paying
- Check whether a third-party provider’s fee is worth it
- Bring a remittance voucher for teller or mail payments
- Use a payment arrangement if you cannot pay in full
- Keep the confirmation number or bank record
- Check your CRA account to see that the payment posted
Further reading & sources
- CRA: Make a payment
- CRA: Questions and answers about payments to the CRA
- CRA: Pay through the CRA’s My Payment service
- CRA: Arrange to pay your debt over time
Tax rules and administrative requirements can change. Check the applicable official guidance and confirm your circumstances with a qualified adviser. This guide is not an assessment of your filing, payment or legal obligations.