Direct deposit for CRA payments

Direct deposit means the CRA puts refunds or benefit payments into your Canadian bank or credit union account instead of mailing a cheque. CRA pages say you can set this up through your CRA account or through many Canadian banks and credit unions.

Important points from public CRA guidance:

• Direct deposit is for Canadian bank or credit union accounts.
• You can no longer start or update CRA direct deposit by telephone.
• Online updates through your CRA account or participating bank are usually faster (CRA describes next-business-day updates after consent in many cases).
• Mail-in enrolment is possible if you cannot use online methods, but it can take much longer (CRA estimates up to about three months or more).
• Do not close an old account until you see a payment arrive in the new one.

High-level CRA account path (confirm on the live page): sign in → Individual / My Account → Profile → Direct deposit → Edit.

Not the same system: CPP, OAS, and EI have their own government direct-deposit processes. The CRA page notes it does not administer those programs.

Again: this is not personal financial advice. If a payment is missing, use official CRA contact options after waiting the timeframes they publish.