CRA Compliance & Reporting

Pay CRA With Apple Pay, Google Pay & Konek: 2026 Guide

By October 27, 2026 No Comments
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified accounting professional before making any tax or financial decisions.

Can you pay CRA with Apple Pay or Google Pay now?

  1. Yes. As of October 19, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Konek through its My Payment portal.
  2. Individuals and businesses can now settle personal income tax (T1), corporate tax (T2), HST/GST, and payroll remittances using a mobile wallet.
  3. The My Payment service remains free, with no CRA transaction fee.
  4. Each payment is still routed through a Canadian financial institution, so bank-level limits and daily caps still apply to a single transaction.

What changed on October 19, 2026

If you have ever stared at a CRA balance owing on your phone at midnight and wished you could just tap and pay, that moment arrived in late October 2026. The CRA announced that its My Payment service now supports three new digital payment paths: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and a payments network called Konek.

Before this change, most Canadians settled their tax balance through online banking bill payment, pre-authorized debit, Interac Online, or a credit card routed through a third-party processor. Those options still work. The expansion simply adds the wallet many people already use for groceries and parking to the list of ways you can pay your taxes.

Oct 19 Effective date, 2026
0% CRA fee on wallet payments
1-3 Business days to post
3 New payment paths added

The timing matters. Personal tax instalments, HST filings, and corporate balances all come due on tight calendars. For a deeper look at the dates you cannot miss, see our breakdown of CRA tax instalment dates for 2026.

Which path fits your situation

The right CRA payment method depends on who is paying and what tax type you are settling. Individuals paying a small balance can tap through in minutes with Apple Pay or Google Pay. Larger corporate balances and recurring instalments often work better through pre-authorized debit or online banking bill payment, where bank limits bite less and the audit trail is cleaner.

Here is the quick-start path by taxpayer type:

Individuals and self-employed

For a T1 balance owing, a quarterly instalment, or an HST return within your bank's single-transaction limit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Konek will typically be the fastest option.

Incorporated or SME

For a larger T2 corporate balance, bigger HST remittance, or recurring payroll source deductions, online banking bill payment or pre-authorized debit (PAD) generally give you more headroom and a cleaner audit trail.

Not sure which category you fit? Our team walks through all of this in a consultation. The full services list shows where we help.

ClearWealth Accounting Advisors
Which CRA payment method matches your situation
A quick-reference decision table pairing six common CRA payment scenarios with the method we typically recommend.
Your situation Recommended method Why
T1 balance under $1,000Apple Pay or Google PayFast, free, well within bank limits
T1 quarterly instalmentsPre-authorized debit (PAD)Automatic, removes risk of a missed date
HST return under $10,000Apple Pay, Google Pay, or KonekTypically fits within bank transaction limits
HST return over $10,000Online banking bill paymentHigher daily limits, cleaner audit trail
T2 corporate balance owingOnline banking bill paymentHandles larger balances without split transactions
Payroll source deductionsPre-authorized debit (PAD)Timing certainty on monthly or weekly cycles
Source: Canada Revenue Agency - Payments to the CRA, canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/payments.html. ClearWealth Accounting Advisors - clearwealth.tax - For informational purposes only.

How My Payment fits into the CRA payment ecosystem

My Payment is the CRA's free online portal for sending electronic payments directly from a Canadian bank account or card. It routes payments through Interac Online, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, and now Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Konek. CRA charges no transaction fee on My Payment, and funds generally post to your CRA account within one to three business days.

Think of My Payment as a payment switchboard. You arrive on canada.ca, tell CRA which account the money is for (personal, corporate, HST, payroll, benefits), enter the amount, and the portal hands you off to your bank. The bank authenticates you and sends the money. CRA never sees your card number or wallet credentials.

The October 2026 change widened the set of methods that bank will accept during that handoff. If your bank supports Apple Pay or Google Pay at checkout, that option now appears when you reach the authentication screen. Behind the scenes, the wallet is still spending the same debit card you would have used manually.

For the full picture of how CRA deadlines interact with payment timing, our guide to CRA payroll remittance due dates is worth reading alongside this one.

ClearWealth Accounting Advisors
How Canadians typically pay CRA (illustrative split)
Rough share of CRA payment volume by method before the October 2026 wallet expansion. Digital wallets are a new, growing slice.
Dominant method
Online banking (~55%)
New in Oct 2026
Apple Pay - Google Pay - Konek
Source: Payments Canada - Canadian Payment Methods and Trends; CRA My Payment usage reports. Illustrative shares. ClearWealth Accounting Advisors - clearwealth.tax - For informational purposes only.

How the new wallet options compare to older CRA payment methods

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Konek match the older Interac Online path for cost and speed, with the added convenience of mobile authentication. Pre-authorized debit remains the most hands-off recurring option. Third-party credit card processors post payments quickly but charge a surcharge of roughly 2.5% that CRA does not absorb.
Method Posting Speed Transaction Limit Fee Best For
Apple Pay (via My Payment)1 to 3 business daysSet by your bankNo CRA feeSmall-to-mid individual balances paid on mobile
Google Pay (via My Payment)1 to 3 business daysSet by your bankNo CRA feeAndroid users settling T1 or HST balances
Konek (via My Payment)1 to 3 business daysSet by your bankNo CRA feeUsers whose bank supports Konek checkout
Interac Online (via My Payment)1 to 3 business daysSet by your bankNo CRA feeDesktop users who prefer no wallet
Online banking bill payment1 to 5 business daysGenerally higher than wallet limitsNo CRA feeLarger T2 and payroll remittances
Pre-authorized debit (PAD)Same day on the scheduled dateSet during setupNo CRA feeRecurring instalments and remittances
Credit card via third-party processorSame or next business daySet by your card limitRoughly 2.5% surchargeShort-term cash flow needs
ClearWealth Accounting Advisors
How CRA payment methods stack up on speed and cost
Typical posting time in business days (bars) and surcharge as a percent of the amount paid (line), by method.
CRA fee on wallet pay
0%
Typical post time
1-3 days
Credit card surcharge
~2.5%
Source: Canada Revenue Agency - Make a payment, canada.ca. ClearWealth Accounting Advisors - clearwealth.tax - For informational purposes only.

More comparisons live in our ongoing insights library if you want to dig deeper.

How to pay CRA using Apple Pay or Google Pay step by step

To pay CRA with Apple Pay or Google Pay, open the My Payment page on canada.ca, choose your payment type (T1, T2, HST, payroll, or benefits), enter your amount and reference number, pick Interac Online at the method screen, and select the wallet when your bank's authentication page loads. Authenticate with Face ID or fingerprint and save the confirmation.

Here is the full sequence:

  1. 1
    Open My Payment on canada.caOpen your phone browser and go to the CRA My Payment page on canada.ca.
  2. 2
    Choose your account typeOptions include personal income tax (T1), corporate tax (T2), HST/GST, payroll source deductions, and benefit repayments.
  3. 3
    Enter amount and reference numberFor individuals, this is typically your Social Insurance Number (SIN); for businesses, it is your Business Number (BN) plus the program identifier.
  4. 4
    Select Interac Online as the payment methodThis is the gateway that now presents the wallet options.
  5. 5
    Choose your financial institutionYou will be redirected to your bank's secure sign-in page.
  6. 6
    Pick the wallet at your bank's pageSelect Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Konek if your bank displays it. Authenticate with Face ID, fingerprint, or your device passcode.
  7. 7
    Confirm the payment amount and submitVerify the amount and the CRA account it is going to, then submit.
  8. 8
    Save the confirmation pageTake a screenshot, email yourself a copy, or export it to your tax folder. This is your proof of payment if a timing dispute ever comes up.

If you have missed a filing deadline and are rushing a payment, the mechanics above still apply, but the clock on interest has already started. Our note on what to do if you missed the self-employed tax deadline walks through next steps.

Konek the third option most Canadians have not heard of

Konek is a Canadian payments network that connects participating banks and payment apps. It launched in a limited pilot in 2025 and expanded in 2026, which is why its appearance on the CRA payment list surprised many taxpayers.

For most readers, Konek is simply another button you may or may not see at your bank's checkout page. If your financial institution supports it, you can use it the same way you would use Apple Pay or Google Pay. If it does not appear, your bank has not enabled it yet, and you can safely use the other options.

Security practices are the same across all three wallet paths. Our walkthrough on CRA account security and identity-theft prevention covers the broader habits that protect you no matter which wallet you choose.

When Apple Pay or Google Pay is not your best option

Convenience is not the same as fit. There are tax situations where a wallet payment is the wrong tool, and it helps to recognize them before you tap.

Large corporate tax balances often exceed the single-transaction limit your bank places on Interac Online. If your T2 balance is $25,000 and your bank's limit is $10,000, a wallet payment will fail or require splitting. Online banking bill payment or wire transfer handles those balances without friction.

Recurring quarterly instalments are better served by pre-authorized debit. Setting up PAD once removes the risk that you simply forget a date, which is one of the most common reasons Canadians end up with CRA interest charges.

HST remittances for an active small business carry documentation weight. If you are ever audited or need to file a notice of objection with CRA, a clean trail of PAD payments or online banking confirmations is easier to assemble than a stack of wallet screenshots.

Common mistakes to avoid when paying CRA with a digital wallet

  • >Paying the wrong CRA account. Entering your SIN when the balance is on a corporate Business Number sends the money to the wrong file. CRA can usually reallocate it, but the fix takes weeks and may leave the original balance showing arrears interest in the meantime.
  • >Assuming the payment posts instantly. Wallet payments through My Payment typically take one to three business days to appear on your CRA account. If you pay on the deadline date, you have likely already triggered interest.
  • >Forgetting to save the confirmation. The CRA page may not email you a receipt by default. Screenshot the confirmation and store it with your tax records.
  • >Splitting a large payment without tracking the pieces. Hitting your bank limit and paying in two or three transactions is fine, but each piece needs its own saved confirmation.
  • >Mixing personal and corporate payments on one wallet. If you use the same phone for both, double-check the reference number every time before you tap. For why that trail matters, see late-filing penalties for T4 and T5.
  • >Treating a wallet payment as a fix for a late return. Paying faster does not undo a missed filing deadline, and the late-filing penalty is calculated separately from interest on the balance.
  • >Ignoring your bank's authentication prompts. If your bank asks for a one-time code during the Apple Pay or Google Pay flow, that is a security step, not an error. Complete it rather than closing the window and retrying.

Frequently asked questions

Can I actually pay my taxes with Apple Pay in Canada now?

Yes. As of October 19, 2026, the CRA accepts Apple Pay as a payment method through its My Payment portal. You can use it to pay personal income tax (T1), corporate tax (T2), HST/GST, and payroll remittances. The wallet routes the payment through your Canadian bank card.

Does the CRA charge a fee if I pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?

No. The CRA charges no transaction fee on payments made through My Payment, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Konek. Your bank may apply its own standard fees, but these are rare for an Interac Online transaction from a chequing account.

Is there a maximum amount I can pay the CRA with a digital wallet?

The CRA does not set the limit, your bank does. Daily Interac Online transaction limits vary by financial institution and generally fall in the $2,000 to $10,000 range per transaction. If you need to pay more than your bank allows, you can split the payment or use online banking bill payment instead.

What is Konek and should I use it to pay the CRA?

Konek is a Canadian payments network that connects participating banks and apps. If your financial institution supports Konek, it appears as a payment option at the bank's checkout page during the My Payment flow. It works the same way as Apple Pay or Google Pay for CRA purposes.

How long does a CRA payment take to show up after I pay with Google Pay?

A My Payment transaction, including one made with Google Pay, typically posts to your CRA account within one to three business days. If you are paying close to a deadline, submit the payment at least three business days early to avoid arrears interest on a late-posting balance.

Can I pay my HST or payroll remittance with Apple Pay too, or only personal tax?

Yes, you can pay HST/GST and payroll remittances using Apple Pay through My Payment. The portal lets you select the exact account type and program identifier before you pay, so a self-employed filer or SME employer can use the wallet for business tax obligations. For HST registration thresholds, see our note on when freelancers must register for HST/GST.

Is it safe to link my CRA payment to Apple Pay or Google Pay?

The payment path uses the same bank authentication you already trust for everyday purchases. The CRA never sees your card number or wallet credentials; the money moves through your bank. Keep your device locked, use biometric authentication, and never pay from a public Wi-Fi network you do not trust.

What if I pay the wrong CRA account by mistake using my phone wallet?

Contact the CRA as soon as you notice the error. The CRA can usually transfer a misapplied payment between accounts, but it takes time. In the meantime, the original balance may continue to show as unpaid and accumulate interest, so acting quickly matters.

Not sure which payment path fits your situation?

ClearWealth works with Ontario individuals, sole proprietors, and incorporated professionals to align payment method with instalments, HST filings, and audit-ready bookkeeping. Book a consultation whenever you are ready.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified accounting professional before making any tax or financial decisions.

Sources & References