OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today that, since its launch in July 2007, 11,851 Canadians have applied for child benefits online. This accounts for 3.8 percent of all new applications for child benefits. The Apply for child benefits service is available through My Account on the CRA Web site 7 days a week.

"Our government continues to deliver on its goal to build a better Canada by supporting Canadians and their families," said CRA Minister Gordon O'Connor. "Not only have we offered tax relief to families by introducing benefits and credits for children, we have made the application process safer and more convenient than ever."

This newest addition to the suite of electronic services offered through My Account allows Canadians to do all of the following at once: apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit and related provincial and territorial programs; register their children for the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax credit and related provincial programs; and enrol for the Universal Child Care Benefit directly online, on a secure Web site.

My Account also allows individuals to request changes to their income tax return, arrange for direct deposit, set-up a pre-authorized payment plan, authorize a representative to access their account, and more. For a full list of My Account services, visit www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount. A Government of Canada epass is required to access My Account. Individuals can register for an epass on the My Account home page.

As a leader in electronic service delivery, the CRA is committed to striving for client-service excellence. The Agency continues to add new online services that offer Canadians fast, easy, convenient, and secure access to their own personal tax and benefit account information.

For more information about services for individuals, including the new Apply for child benefits online service, visit the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/individuals.