Yes, Canadian banks share information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
As part of the Enhanced Financial Account Information Reporting regime, Canadian financial institutions, including banks, are required to collect and report specific information about their clients’ accounts to the CRA. This information includes:
- Account holder’s name, address, and date of birth
- Account number and type
- Account balance and transaction history
- Interest and other income earned on the account
The CRA uses this information to ensure that taxpayers are reporting their income accurately and paying the correct amount of tax. The CRA may also use this information to identify and investigate tax evasion and other financial crimes.
What types of accounts are reported to the CRA?
All types of deposit accounts, including:
- Savings accounts
- Checking accounts
- Term deposits
- Foreign currency accounts
What information is reported to the CRA?
The following information is reported to the CRA:
- Account holder’s name, address, and date of birth
- Account number and type
- Account balance and transaction history
- Interest and other income earned on the account
How often is information reported to the CRA?
Financial institutions are required to report information to the CRA annually. The first reports were due in 2015.
What is the purpose of sharing this information with the CRA?
The CRA uses this information to:
- Ensure that taxpayers are reporting their income accurately
- Identify and investigate tax evasion and other financial crimes
Is my information safe with the CRA?
The CRA has strict security measures in place to protect taxpayer information. The CRA will only use this information for the purposes of administering the tax laws.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any questions about the Enhanced Financial Account Information Reporting regime, you can contact the CRA at 1-800-959-8281.
Additional Information
In addition to the information that is reported to the CRA, Canadian banks may also share information with the CRA on a case-by-case basis. For example, a bank may share information with the CRA if it suspects that a customer is involved in tax evasion or other financial crimes.
The CRA may also request information from Canadian banks about specific customers. For example, the CRA may request information about a customer’s account balance or transaction history.
Canadian banks are required to comply with all requests for information from the CRA.
What to do if the CRA is asking you for information
FAQ
Do Canadian banks report to CRA?
Do I have to report Canadian bank account to IRS?
Do Canadian companies report to IRS?
Why is my bank asking for tax residency in Canada?
Does CRA track bank accounts in Canada?
Since 2014, Canadian financial institutions are required under Canadian law to identify and report information to the CRA on reportable financial accounts held in Canada by US Persons. The CRA then exchanges this information with the IRS. Does CRA track bank accounts?
Do Canadian financial institutions have to report financial accounts to the CRA?
The agreement requires Canadian financial institutions to identify financial accounts held by U.S. residents and U.S. citizens or by entities that are organized in the U.S. or controlled by U.S. residents or U.S. citizens and to report that information to the CRA.
What is CRA financial account information?
This information is for individuals who hold or want to open an account with a financial institution in Canada and who want to know if their financial account information will be reported by their financial institution to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and shared with the United States (U.S.) and/or other jurisdictions.
What if a Canadian account is reportable to CRA?
If an account is reportable, the Canadian financial institution (or a foreign country in the case of accounts outside Canada) will report information to CRA including: Amount of interest, dividends, gross proceeds and other amounts paid or credited to the account holder (if applicable).