Toro Accounting Blog

Payment Arrangements with the CRA

Written by Camilo Toro | Nov 10, 2024 3:39:57 AM

If you can’t pay your debt right away, you can schedule a series of payments in your online CRA account using a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement. You can also call the CRA to set up a payment arrangement.

If you received a letter from a collections officer, call them at the number provided as soon as possible.

Schedule a series of payments

Calculate your monthly income and expenses

Use the personal income and expense worksheet to determine what you can afford to pay on a regular basis

Schedule your payments online or by phone

You can schedule a series of automatic pre-authorized debit (PAD) payments from your bank account in:

  • My Account
  • My Business Account

To work with the CRA to set up a payment arrangement for a debt you owe, you can:

  • Call the automated TeleArrangement service
  • Speak to an agent

Online Payment Arrangement

1. Determine if you can schedule payments for this debt online

You can schedule a series of payments in My Account, My Business Account or Represent a Client for the following debts:

My Account:
    • Personal income tax
My Business Account:
    • Corporate income tax
    • Payroll deductions
    • GST/HST
    • COVID-19 business subsidies
    • Excise duty, excise tax or excise tax on insurance premiums
    • Partnerships
Payment arrangements that can't be made onlinne:
  • If you would like to pay any other type of debt, including COVID-19 benefits for individuals, or other overpayments over time, contact the CRA by phone

2. Sign in to your CRA online account

  1. Sign in to your account
  2. Select "Proceed to pay"
  3. Choose "Schedule a series of payments"
  4. Fill in the fields to set up and confirm your PAD agreement

3. Prepare for your payments to start

Your pre-authorized debit payment agreement begins when your first scheduled payment is withdrawn from your account.

Read more about how to set up pre-authorized debit payments, including how to change, cancel, view, and skip payments: Pay by scheduled pre-authorized debit payment(s) through CRA online services

 

Phone Payment Arrangements

1. Before you call

When you call, you may need to have:

  • Social Insurance Number or business number
  • Full name and date of birth or business name
  • Complete personal or business address
  • Assessed return, notice of assessment, reassessment, or other tax document, or be signed in to My Account or My Business Account

2. 2.    Call the CRA to set up your payment arrangement

  • Speak to an agent
    • Call the number on your notice, or
    • Find the phone number to call depending on what type of debt you want to pay over time: Call us if you are unable to pay
or

  • Automated TeleArrangement service
    • For personal income tax debt only, call our automated line to make a payment arrangement.
      Telephone number:  1-866-256-1147

Hours

Date

Hours

Monday to Friday

7 am to 10 pm (ET)

Saturday and Sunday

Closed

Closed on public holidays

 

3. Start making your payments

To start your payment arrangement, you need to make your first payment towards your debt.

For options on how to make your payments, go to make a payment.

 

Stay up to date with your obligations

Once you have set up your payments, you must continue to make payments on the agreed upon dates. You have to file all future returns on time and stay up to date with your obligations. The CRA may review your payment arrangement periodically.

Change your payment arrangement

If you need to change a payment arrangement or you are unable to make a payment, call the CRA.

If you don't modify your payment arrangement before paying less than you agreed to, the CRA may proceed with legal actions to collect what you owe. Refer to: If you don't pay your debt

The CRA may apply other federal payments you receive to your debt

Even if you have a payment arrangement and are making payments, the CRA may use some benefits and other credit payments you receive to pay your debt. Refer to: How payments are applied to offset your debt