What is a Business Number?
The Business Number (BN) is a 9-digit identifier issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is used to simplify and centralize interactions with government programs.
When is a Business Number issued?
The CRA assigns a BN when you register for any of the following accounts:
Payroll deductions
GST/HST
Corporate income tax
Import/export
All program accounts use the same 9-digit BN, with a program identifier suffix (e.g. RT, RP) and a 4-digit number.
Examples:
Program Account | Format Example |
GST/HST |
|
Payroll |
|
How is the Business Number used?
Tax filing (e.g. payroll, GST/HST, corporate returns)
Interacting with government agencies
Opening financial accounts or working with vendors
What is a Corporation Number?
The Corporation Number (also known as a Registry ID) is issued when a business incorporates federally or provincially. It serves as the legal identifier for the corporation.
Field | Description |
Issued by | Corporations Canada or a provincial business registry |
Purpose | Legal and regulatory identification |
Format | Typically a 7-digit number |
Corporation Number in business setup and KYB
When setting up payroll or completing KYB (Know Your Business) verification:
The Corporation Number is required to confirm that the business is legally registered
It triggers the KYB process in the system
💡 Note: Corporation Numbers are separate from Business Numbers and are not used for tax filings.
Where to find your Corporation Number
You can find your Corporation Number by:
Searching the Corporations Canada registry (for federal incorporations)
Checking your provincial registry (e.g. BC Registry, Ontario Business Registry)
Reviewing incorporation documents
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide tax, legal, benefits, financial, or HR advice. Since laws and regulations are subject to change and may differ by location, please consult a legal or HR professional for personalized guidance