CRA Debt Mortgage
in Canada — Refinance
Before a Lien.
Owe CRA? Settle it with a mortgage — ideally before a lien is registered. A refinance can pay out income tax, HST/GST, payroll or corporate tax debt.
Four reasons to act
before CRA does.
Every day you hold an active CRA balance you’re one step closer to a lien. We keep the cheapest path open.
Refinance while your title is still clean
While no lien is registered, a standard refinance can pay CRA out at closing — often at A-lender rates where you qualify. That one window of clean title keeps the cheapest options available.
Lien registered? B-lender or private clears it
Once CRA registers a charge, A-lenders generally decline. A B-lender or private lender can fund with the lien in place, clear it at closing, and restore clean title — the starting point for your exit back to bank rates.
Income tax, HST/GST, payroll, corporate — all handled
We arrange equity-based refinances for every CRA debt type. Payroll and HST/GST carry a deemed-trust risk that makes them more urgent; income tax and corporate follow the standard collections path.
A roadmap back to A-lender pricing
Clearing CRA is step one. Once your tax history stabilizes — commonly 12–24 months of on-time filings — we refinance you back to prime. We set that target at closing so you're not on alt pricing a day longer than necessary.
From CRA debt
to clean title —
three steps.
Title first, pathway second, payout at closing.
That sequence keeps your options open.
Confirm the debt + title
How much do you owe, which tax years, and which type (income tax, HST/GST, payroll, corporate)? Any lien registered yet? We can pull a parcel register to confirm title status — that one answer decides which lenders you can approach.
Choose the pathway
No lien and you qualify → A-lender refinance (cheapest). Lien registered or credit tight → B-lender that works with active CRA files, or a private bridge where a lien is being enforced. We disclose the rate, LTV, fees and timeline in writing before you commit.
Pay CRA + plan recovery
Funds disburse from your lawyer’s trust directly to CRA at closing; CRA confirms the payment and, where a lien was registered, generally removes it once the debt is paid. We then set a planning target to refinance back to A-lender pricing once your tax history stabilizes (often around 12–24 months of on-time filings).
We handle every
CRA scenario.
Tap any situation below to see how we approach it.
If you’re…You owe CRA but nothing is registered on your title yet
You owe CRA but nothing is registered on your title yet
Your title is still clean — this is the window where an A-lender refinance can pay CRA directly at closing. Every week you wait moves you closer to a registered lien and a narrower, more expensive menu.
Check my A-lender optionsIf you’re…CRA has registered a lien against your property
CRA has registered a lien against your property
A-lenders generally can't fund behind an enforceable Crown claim. A B-lender or private lender can clear the lien at closing — restoring clean title — then we build your exit to A-lender pricing from there.
See my lien-payoff optionsIf you’re…Your arrears are HST/GST or payroll source deductions
Your arrears are HST/GST or payroll source deductions
These carry a deemed-trust risk that can rank ahead of your existing mortgage — even before anything appears on title. Payroll and HST/GST timelines are shorter. We treat these as urgent files.
Start my urgent fileIf you’re…You’re self-employed and behind on personal income tax
You’re self-employed and behind on personal income tax
Most of our CRA-debt clients are self-employed. We document business-for-self income the way alternative lenders read it — T1s, bank statements, and legitimate add-backs — so the arrears are underwritten as backdrop, not a dealbreaker.
See self-employed optionsIf you’re…You want to consolidate CRA debt and other high-interest balances
You want to consolidate CRA debt and other high-interest balances
A single refinance can pay CRA, credit cards, and a line of credit out at closing — all at mortgage rates, typically up to about 80% LTV (illustrative). We model net savings before you commit.
Model my consolidationIf you’re…You’ve cleared CRA and want to exit to A-lender pricing
You’ve cleared CRA and want to exit to A-lender pricing
Once your tax history stabilizes and the lien is off title, we refinance you back to prime. We set that trigger target at first funding and monitor the file — you shouldn’t be on alt pricing longer than necessary.
Plan my exitActive balance vs.
registered lien —
your two pathways.
Your options are decided mostly by one question: is there a lien on your title yet? This is the page’s core decision point.
| Stage | Active CRA Balance (no lien) | CRA Collection Action | Registered CRA Lien |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | You owe CRA, but nothing is registered against your title | CRA issues demands/collection letters and may garnish wages or freeze accounts | CRA has registered a charge against your property |
| Effect on financing | Title is clean — a standard refinance can pay CRA out at closing | Often still refinanceable, but the clock is running toward a lien | A-lenders generally decline; the lien must be cleared for a lender to fund |
| Lender pathway | A-lender refinance where you qualify (cheapest path) | A-lender if still clean; otherwise a B-lender | B-lender or private to clear the lien, then refinance to A later |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Low–moderate | Higher — alt-A or private premium* |
*Illustrative and subject to lender, property, title and file review. HST/GST and payroll arrears: a deemed trust exists from the moment amounts go unremitted, whether or not anything is on title. Private MIE average from CMHC Residential Mortgage Industry Report, Q3 2025. General information, not legal or tax advice; confirm your situation with a tax lawyer or CPA.
Common questions,
clear answers.
Lien vs. balance, lender ladder, equity needed, self-employed options — answered plainly.
Can I get a mortgage to pay off CRA debt?
Will A-lenders fund a refinance to pay CRA?
Can I get a mortgage with a CRA lien already on my property?
How does CRA respond when a mortgage payoff arrives?
Can I negotiate or reduce the CRA debt?
What about HST/GST and payroll (source deduction) debt?
How much equity do I need?
Can I get this if I’m self-employed?
What documents do I need?
Can I refinance back to a normal lender afterward?
Is this confidential?
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply
Find a specialist in your city
CRA debt mortgage options depend on your equity, title status and income — and the lender ladder differs by market. Find an advisor near you.