Understanding the difference between a Business Number and Registry ID

When registering a business in Canada, you may encounter both a Business Number (BN) and a Registry ID. While they may seem similar, they serve distinct purposes in government registration, payroll setup, and regulatory compliance.

What is a Business Number?

The Business Number (BN) is a 9-digit identifier issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is used to simplify and centralize interactions with government programs.

When is a Business Number issued?

The CRA assigns a BN when you register for any of the following accounts:

• Payroll deductions

• GST/HST

• Corporate income tax

• Import/export

All program accounts use the same 9-digit BN, with a program identifier suffix (e.g. RT, RP) and a 4-digit number.

Examples:

How is the Business Number used?

• Tax filing (e.g. payroll, GST/HST, corporate returns)

• Interacting with government agencies

• Opening financial accounts or working with vendors

What is a Registry ID?

The Registry ID is issued when a business incorporates federally or provincially. It serves as the legal identifier for the corporation.

Registry ID in business setup and KYB

When setting up payroll or completing KYB (Know Your Business) verification:

• The Registry ID is required to confirm that the business is legally registered

• It triggers the KYB process in the system

Where to find your Registry ID

You can find your Registry ID by:

• Searching the Corporations Canada registry (for federal incorporations)

• Checking your provincial registry (e.g. BC Registry, Ontario Business Registry)

• Reviewing incorporation documents