Do small business owners struggle with payroll tax payments? Currently, CRA is breaking with the bank about payroll tax payment！

“What Happened? Why Am I Paying Extra Fees for My Payroll Tax?” — Here’s the Real Answer about CRA payroll tax

Last week, one of our clients came to us frustrated:

“I just tried to pay my payroll tax online, and my bank charged me extra fees! What happened? Isn’t online supposed to be cheaper?”

If that sounds familiar — you’re not alone.

Recently, many small business owners have been caught off guard when trying to pay their CRA payroll remittance online. Some platforms no longer support the payment option for payroll taxes, and others quietly charge service fees. The result? Confusion, penalties, and a lot of last-minute stress.

Let’s break down what’s really going on, why some payments fail, and how you can still pay your CRA payroll tax quickly, safely, and without extra cost.

🚨 Why Some Businesses Don't Pay Payroll Tax Online Anymore

There are two main reasons people still end up going to the bank to pay their payroll remittance:

1️⃣ CRA Online Payment Doesn’t Always Work for Payroll and Pay Extra Fees

Many business owners assume that the CRA’s “Pay Online” service works for every type of tax — GST/HST, corporate tax, payroll, etc. But here’s the catch: The CRA no longer accepts free online bank system payments, and bank systems are assessed additional fees for paying payroll taxes.

When you try to pay “Payroll Deductions – PD7A,” some online banking platforms simply don’t support that payee, or add extra fees on the payment.

So even if you click “Pay Now,” your payroll tax might not actually reach CRA on time — Online payments may take up to three days to process, meaning you’ll still owe penalty and interest later.

2️⃣ Banks Charge Extra for “Online Convenience”

It sounds ironic, but yes — many banks and third-party payment providers now charge transaction fees for online CRA payments. These charges may look small — $2, $5, or 2.5% — but they add up fast for regular payroll remitters.

Why? Because online payments go through payment gateways (like credit card processors or third-party platforms), which charge the business instead of the bank.

Offline payments made directly at a teller’s window often bypass these gateway costs — so paying at the bank counter can actually be cheaper.

⏰ “I Need to Pay My Payroll Tax Today — What Should I Do?”

Here’s the harsh truth:

Even if you pay online on the last day of your due date, CRA usually needs up to three business days to process electronic payments. That means your payment may not be officially received until it’s already late — triggering penalty and interest charges automatically.

So what’s your best move when you’re running out of time?

✅ Go offline — and pay at your bank branch.

When you pay your CRA payroll remittance in person, the bank stamps your payment date immediately, which CRA accepts as same-day payment.

This can save you from late penalties, especially if your payment deadline falls right before a weekend or holiday.

🏦 But Wait — You Can’t Just Walk Into a Bank and Pay!

Here’s where most business owners get stuck:

You can’t simply walk into a bank and say, “Hi, I’d like to pay my payroll tax.”

The teller will politely shake their head and ask for one very important thing:

“Do you have your CRA payroll remittance form?”

Without this form — officially called the CRA remittance voucher (PD7A) — the bank cannot process your payment. It contains essential information such as your Business Number (BN), remitter type, and CRA account code, ensuring the payment goes to the right tax account.

📄 So, How Do You Get the CRA Payroll Form?

Normally, CRA mails this form to you every month or quarter, depending on your remittance frequency. But if you lost it, never received it, or need to pay right now, waiting for CRA mail is not an option.

That’s where we step in.

At KeWang Professional, we help clients instantly access their digital CRA payroll remittance forms — no waiting, no panic, no late penalties. Simply register an account with us, and we’ll provide a free, downloadable CRA remittance voucher you can print and take to your bank right away.

If you don't want to register a membership with us, you are still able to download our High-value Template  ( $1 )

Download link: CRA Payroll Voucher

This digital voucher works exactly the same as the official CRA form and ensures your payment is processed correctly and on time.

Free Template Bank

💡 Why Paying Offline Sometimes Saves You Money (and Stress)

It might sound old-fashioned, but paying at the bank can still be the smartest move — especially if:

• Your payment deadline is today or tomorrow

• You’re worried about online delays or failed transactions

• You want to avoid credit card or processing fees

• You prefer having a bank-stamped receipt for your records

Offline payment offers certainty — the moment your payment is stamped by the teller, it’s considered received by CRA. For many small businesses, that peace of mind is worth the short trip to the bank.

🚀 The Smart Way to Handle Payroll Payments

When deadlines are tight and systems fail, don’t panic. You don’t need to risk penalties or overpay for convenience fees.

Here’s your action plan:

1. Skip the third-party platforms that add extra fees.

2. Print a proper CRA remittance voucher (or request a free digital copy from KeWang Professional).

3. Go directly to your bank branch and pay your payroll deduction in person.

4. Get your receipt stamped — and relax knowing you’re compliant and on time.