How Do I Find My Ontario Business Number

filing documents in cabinet

Original Publish Date: Nov 28,2019

Across Canada, the BN number refers to the Business Number attached to your business with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).  When a business incorporates, the CRA BN number is Across Canada, the BN number refers to the Business Number attached to your business with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). 

BN Number For a Corporation

 When a business incorporates, the CRA BN number is automatically provided as the BN number provides the tax number for the corporation. 

BN Number For A Registered Business

With a registered business, the CRA now automatically issues a BN, however the tax filings are still done under the individual owner/s. If any additional CRA program accounts, such as Payroll, HST or Import/Export, are needed, this BN would be used to create these accounts.

The CRA sends all new BN numbers by mail once generated. You can typically expect to receive this within 1-2 weeks after registering. If you have recently registered or incorporated but did not receive your BN, or you can no longer find the BN that was previously sent to you, Ontario Business Central can assist with looking up this information for an Ontario corporation or business name registration, a Federal corporation or a B.C. corporation.

BN Number Tax Set Up / BN Number Lookup

Canada Business Number For a Federal Incorporation

When you have completed a federal incorporation, the BN number is automatically provided for the corporation.  We provide the BN number with the completed Articles of Incorporation if completed with us.  If you require your BN number after incorporating your business because it has been misplaced, we can obtain that for you quickly and easily by completing a BN lookup on your federal corporation. You simply require your corporate name and select corporate searches across Canada and we will send you the results by email in short order.  y provided for the corporation. 

We provide the BN number with the completed Articles of Incorporation if completed with us.  If you require your BN number after incorporating your business because it has been misplaced, we can obtain that for you quickly and easily by completing a BN lookup on your federal corporation. You simply require your corporate name and select corporate searches across Canada and we will send you the results by email in short order.  If you haven’t yet decided where you are going to federally incorporate, we provide this service as part of our incorporation process.

Ontario Business Number BN For an Ontario Incorporation

In Ontario, the BN number is also automatically generated with an Ontario Incorporation.  The BN number should be mailed to the corporate address you provided when you incorporated, and it typically takes 4 to 6 business days to receive the BN number from the Canada Revenue Agency by mail, or available by phone within 2 business days.

If you have lost your BN number, we can obtain it and send you the results.  If you are looking to Incorporate in Ontario,  we can assist you to obtain your BN number as part of the incorporation service we provide.

BN Number Tax Set Up / BN Number Lookup

CRA Business Numbers For Other Provinces

Most Provinces provide a BN number automatically with the completion of an Incorporation.  These include other business opportunity Provinces such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.

In all of these provinces, the incorporation will automatically provide the  CRA program account for corporation income tax (RC).  The BN number never changes, just the letters behind each tax account required will change as listed below.

  • GST/HST will have an RT
  • Payroll will have an RP
  • Import-Export will have an RM

Business Number For a Business Name Registration Formerly a Master Business Licence

If you have registered a Business Name Registration, previously called a Master Business Licence, as a Sole Proprietorship or a Firm Name for a General Partnership (previously called a General Partnership), the BN number is now automatically provided when the business is registered under the new Ontario Business Registry or OBR.

BIN Number vs BN Number, What is the Difference?

In the Province of Ontario, there are two very similar numbers that can be assigned to a business.  One is the BIN number which is a 10-digit number attached to a Business Name Registration (Previously a 9-digit number for Master Business Licence registrations), whether it be a Sole Proprietorship, Firm Name for a General Partnership or Business Name for a Corporation (formerly called a Trade Name under a corporation).  This 10 digit number is the unique number assigned to the registration.  Alternatively, there is a 9 digit tax number with the Canada Revenue Agency called the BN number.  The BN number is only applicable when you are applying for HST, Payroll etc. If you are confused by the difference between these two numbers, you are not alone and we are here to assist.

The reasons for a BN number for a Business Name Registration formerly a Master Business Licence are as follows:

  • Tax accounts such as HST, Payroll, Import Export
  • Grants and some funding programs
  • Wholesale licensing
  • Many municipal services

We can assist you with obtaining the BN number when you register your business with us.If you have registered your business as a Sole Proprietorship or Firm Name for a General Partnership (formerly General Partnership) but haven’t applied for a BN number yet and would like to do so, we can help you with a quick and easy registration process when setting up the HST, Payroll, or Import/Export for your business, and obtain the BN number you need. First, you will need to obtain the company key if you registered your business prior to October of 2021. We make it easy to complete so you can move forward and obtain the tax accounts you wish to establish.

BN Number Tax Set Up / BN Number Lookup

BIN Number for a Master Business Licence in Ontario

If you currently have a Business Name Registration in Ontario or BNR (formerly called a Master Business Licence or MBL ) as a Sole Proprietorship, Firm Name for a General Partnership (formerly called a General Partnership) or Business Name for a Corporation (formerly called a Trade Name) and are looking for the number attached to that business registration, we can help you find it easily and quickly.

The Ontario business number or business identification number is located within your Business Name Registration aka Master Business Licence and is now a 10 digit number. For any registrations completed before October 19, 2021, this would be a 9 digit number.

Listed below is an example of a Master Business Licence for your review.  The BIN number or Business Identification number is located below the double bar beside the business name registration.

master business licence sample

How To Get a Copy of BIN Number?

If you do not have a copy of your Master Business Licence and only require the business identification number, we can search your existing business by name to obtain either just the BIN or a copy of the profile report to show the information on file for the registration.

You can request just the BIN search through a ‘Business Search’. This would just show the business name, registration date and the BIN. It would not have specific details, including the business address and business owner name.

Search an existing BN Number for a Corporation

How to Retrieve a Copy of a Business Name Registration Aka Master Business Licence?

If you are looking for more details, we can obtain a profile report or corporate search for you, to show all of the information on file for the registration. Simply select the option to request a ‘Profile Report’, provide the name of your business and select the jurisdiction to search. We will send you a copy of the information for the business registration, including the address, owner’s name and address and the BIN number.

Request a Profile Report

By ordering this request, you will have details information whether obtaining for your own registration or a third party you will obtain a replacement copy of the current registration with all of the details of your registration including the business name, business address, business owner name, address, business activity and the BIN number.

How Will the Search Request be Given to Me?

The RESULTS will be emailed to you on a same day basis Monday through Friday, when ordered prior to 3:00 pm.

We can assist you to set up your HST and/or payroll accounts as well. Just reach out to our office and provide the details and we will process on your behalf.Please feel free to reach out to our staff for any clarification or assistance you may require.

inquiries@ontariobusinesscentral.ca
Toll-Free: 1-800-280-1913
Local: 1-416-599-9009
Fax: 1-866-294-4363
Office Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday E.S.T.

Ontario Business Central Inc. is not a law firm and cannot provide a legal opinion or advice. This information is to assist you in understanding the requirements of registration within the chosen jurisdiction. It is always recommended, when you have legal or accounting questions, that you speak to a qualified professional.