This BN forms the basis for all other program accounts like payroll, corporation
income tax, etc.
In order to correctly register for a BN and the relevant program accounts, you should
have the following information on hand: the name of your business, the physical
location and mailing address, your legal business structure, your national and
international (if applicable) gross sales and the fiscal year-end.
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Program Accounts: After you get a BN, the next step is picking the correct program
accounts that apply to your business.
There are four major program accounts, and each account follows a similar format:
GST/HST account (RT), payroll account (RP), import-export
(RM), and corporation income tax (RC).
Some of these program accounts may or may not be applicable to your business. You
can visit the CRA website to learn more about the different types of program
accounts.
There are a couple of ways to register for a BN and the program accounts that apply to
your business.
The Business Registration Online (BRO) program is a one-stop online self-serve
application you can use to register for a BN and program accounts in Ontario, Nova
Scotia and British Columbia.
The other alternative is to fill in Form RC1, Request for a Business Number and mail or fax
it in to the Tax Centre closest to you.
You can also register for a BN over the phone by calling 1-800-959-5525; however, you'll
need to provide them with all the information requested on Form RC1.
Setting up Your Employees
The title for this section is a bit misleading because you don't have to actually register /
set up your employees with the government. But, if you need to pay your employees,
there are a few pieces of information you will need them to provide.
Social Insurance Number (SIN): As the employer, you are legally responsible to collect
your employee's SIN and record that number on file within three (3) days of their hire
date. If you don't receive this information from your employee, you have to notify Service
Canada within six (6) days of their hire date.
