Does CRA send emails? A 2025 guide to My Business Account email alerts and online mail

The Canada Revenue Agency now delivers most business correspondence online. This guide explains how to turn on email notifications, where to find online mail in My Business Account and Represent a Client, who can change mail settings, and how to request paper mail if needed.

In 2025 the CRA began moving business correspondence to online delivery in two steps.

New business numbers and new program accounts receive most correspondence online.

Most existing businesses were moved to online mail by default. If you do nothing, online mail is the default.
Here is the official CRA notice

Online mail is the secure mail inside your CRA portal. It includes notices, letters, statements, and requests for information.

1. You view items in the Mail section of My Business Account or in Represent a Client for authorized representatives.
2. Your Correspondence is considered received on the date it is posted in your account. Check often and enable email alerts.

1. Sign in to your CRA account, then choose your Business account to open My Business Account.
2. Go to Profile.
3. Open Notification preferences.
4. Add or update your email and confirm the accounts that should send email alerts.
5. Save your changes. You should receive a confirmation email shortly.

1. Sign in to your CRA account and choose your Representative account to open Represent a Client.
2. Enter the client’s BN and select Access BN.
3. Go to Mail to view items. Manage notification preferences in Profile if your authorization level allows it.

• In My Business Account: Navigation menu → Mail → Correspondence.
• In Represent a Client: Navigation menu → Mail → Correspondence.

Only someone with signing authority for the business, such as an owner, director, or legal representative, can request paper mail.

Authorized representatives can view mail and may manage notification preferences depending on their level of access, but they cannot request paper mail unless they also hold signing authority.

If you prefer paper delivery you can request it in My Business Account if you have signing authority. You can also file Form RC681, Request to Activate Paper Mail for my Business, and send it to the appropriate tax centre. Paper delivery is not automatic and must be requested.

• You must renew your paper mail request every two years or delivery will switch back to online.
• Submit a separate paper mail request for each new program account you register, such as GST/HST, payroll, or corporate income tax.
• Keep your mailing address current. If paper items are undeliverable, the CRA will revert your account to online mail.

Registered charities continue to receive paper correspondence unless they choose online delivery.

Where a business has no owner or director with portal access and no authorized representative online, CRA continues to send paper mail. Once a qualifying owner or representative has online access, online mail becomes the default.

Response deadlines are calculated from the date a notice is posted in your CRA account. Email alerts help you act on time, but you should also sign in periodically to review your Mail folder, especially during filing seasons.

Update your address in My Business Account to prevent returned mail and avoid a forced switch back to online delivery.

• Turn on email notifications in My Business Account.
• Confirm your accountant’s access in Represent a Client if you use one.
• Decide whether you want paper mail and, if yes, request it or file Form RC681.
• Review the Mail section at least weekly during busy periods.
• Keep your mailing address current.