📧 How to Change Your Email Address with the CRA

If you have a CRA My Account, it is important to keep your email address up to date. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses your email address to send notifications when important changes occur or when new messages are available in your online tax account.

For security reasons, you can have only one email address on file in your CRA account at any time.

🔔 Why Your CRA Email Address Matters

The CRA uses your email address to notify you when:

  • 📬 New mail is available in your CRA My Account
  • ⚠️ Important changes are made to your tax account
  • 🔐 Security-related updates occur (such as account changes)

These notifications help protect your account from potential fraud and ensure you do not miss time-sensitive tax information.

💻 How to Change Your Email Address Online (Fastest Method)

The quickest way to update your email address is through your CRA account online. Processing time is immediate.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Sign in to your CRA account
  2. Select your Individual account to open My Account
  3. Open the Profile section
  4. Scroll to Notification preferences
  5. Select Edit
  6. Enter your new email address and save
💡 Tip: After updating your email address, the CRA will send a confirmation email to verify the change.

📞 Change Your Email by Phone

If you cannot sign in to your CRA account (for example, if your phone number changed and you cannot receive the multi-factor authentication code), you can update your email by calling the CRA.

Before calling, prepare the following information:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Full name and date of birth
  • Your complete address
  • A recent tax document (Notice of Assessment or tax return)

These details help verify your identity before the CRA updates your account.

🧾 Update Email When Filing Your Tax Return

You can also update your email address while filing your tax return.

  • On a paper tax return
  • When filing electronically using NETFILE
  • Through a tax professional using EFILE

If you update your email this way, the change takes effect when your tax return is processed.

👥 Updating an Email Address for Someone Else

You can only change another person’s CRA email address if:

  • You are their authorized legal representative
  • The person is present on the call and gives verbal authorization

Authorized representatives can make updates through the CRA’s Represent a Client service.

⚠️ Important Security Reminder

CRA notification emails will not ask for personal or financial information. If you receive an email requesting login credentials or payment details, it may be a phishing attempt.

🔐 Always log in directly to your CRA account instead of clicking suspicious links in emails.

📌 Key Things to Remember

  • ✔ Only one email address can be linked to your CRA account.
  • ✔ Updating your email online is instant.
  • ✔ Keeping your email current helps protect your account from fraud.
  • ✔ Email notifications alert you when new CRA messages are available.

Summary:
Keeping your email address updated in your CRA My Account ensures you receive important notifications about your taxes, benefits, and account changes. The fastest way to update it is through your CRA profile under Notification preferences.