Question
What should a contractor enter as their business number when onboarding to Jane Payroll?
Answer
It depends on whether the contractor is registered as a business with the CRA.
If the contractor has a CRA Business Number, they should enter the full 15-character number exactly as it appears in their CRA account, including the program extension suffix.
The format is: 9 digits + 2-letter program code + 4 digits
For example: 123456789RT0001
Here's what each part means:
- The first 9 digits identify the business
- The 2 letters indicate the program account (such as RT for payroll, RC for corporate income tax, or RT for GST/HST)
- The final 4 digits identify the account sequence number, usually 0001
If your independent contractors don't have a legal business name, they would simply use their personal name, as it reflects on their CRA My Business Account.
RT0001 is common for contractors who only have a GST or HST account, but it isn't universal. Contractors should enter the program extension shown in their own CRA account, not assume it's RT0001.
If the contractor is not registered as a business, they should enter their SIN instead. This applies to contractors who operate as individuals, are below the GST or HST registration threshold, or haven't opened any CRA program accounts.
🩵 Jane Tip: Contractors can confirm their Business Number and program accounts by logging in to CRA My Business Account. If they're still unsure which number to use after checking, they can contact the CRA directly at 1-800-959-5525.
Supporting Information
Jane uses this information for CRA year-end reporting, including T4A forms. Entering the correct Business Number or SIN ensures contractor earnings are reported accurately.