📬 CRA Switching to Online Mail: What It Means for You
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is transitioning many individuals from traditional paper mail to online mail through My Account. This change is part of a broader move toward digital services.
📊 What Is Changing?
Starting July 3, 2025, the CRA began switching approximately 500,000 benefit recipients from paper to online mail. A second phase expanded this change to an additional 900,000 individuals.
Instead of receiving paper letters, you will get email notifications when new correspondence is available in your CRA account.
---👤 Who Is Affected?
- Individuals registered for a CRA account (My Account)
- People who previously received paper mail
- Primarily benefit recipients (initial phase)
If affected, CRA will notify you by email and sometimes by letter.
---📥 What You Will Receive Online
- 📄 Notices of assessment or reassessment
- 📊 Benefit notices
- 📬 Letters requesting information
- 💰 Tax-related updates
You will receive an email alert whenever new mail is available to view in your account.
---🚫 What Does NOT Change
- 💵 Benefit payments and refunds remain unchanged
- 🏦 Direct deposit continues as usual
- 📬 Paper cheques are still mailed if applicable
The change only affects how CRA sends correspondence — not your payments.
---⚙️ Why CRA Is Making This Change
- ⚡ Faster delivery of information
- 📱 Convenient 24/7 access via My Account
- 🔐 Improved security and fraud protection
- 🌱 Reduced paper usage (eco-friendly)
- 💰 Lower government costs
Online mail also avoids delays from postal disruptions or disasters.
---🛠️ How to Manage Your Preferences
✔ Switch to Online Mail
Set your correspondence preference to Electronic mail in your CRA account.
↩️ Switch Back to Paper Mail
You can opt out and continue receiving paper mail by updating your correspondence settings in My Account.
- Sign in to CRA My Account
- Go to Profile → Notification preferences
- Edit correspondence preference
- Select Paper mail
⚠️ Important Tips
Tip: Keep your email address updated
Why: You may miss important CRA notices without notifications
Tip: Check your account regularly
Why: Some notices have deadlines
Tip: Watch for scams
Why: CRA emails never ask for personal info
🧠 Expert Insight from dir.md
“The biggest risk with digital tax communication is not security — it’s visibility. If you don’t check your account regularly, you can miss deadlines even though the notice was ‘delivered’.”
⚠️ Common Problems & Solutions
Problem: Missed CRA notice
Solution: Enable email notifications and check account frequently
Problem: No email received
Solution: Verify email in My Account and check spam folder
Problem: Prefer paper mail
Solution: Update correspondence preference
❓ FAQ (Structured Data)
Do I still get CRA mail by paper?
Most mail will be online, but you can switch back to paper in your account settings.
Will this affect my payments?
No, benefits and refunds are not affected by this change.
How do I know if I’m affected?
CRA will notify you by email or letter if your correspondence method changes.
🔗 Learn More
---🏁 Final Thoughts
CRA’s shift to online mail is a major step toward digital tax communication. While it improves speed and convenience, staying proactive — checking your account and keeping your email updated — is essential to avoid missing important notices.
