Where’s Your Tax Refund? Understand How CRA Refund Processing Works

By: William Chong
October 24, 2025
Tax Tips

Knowing when and how you’ll get your tax refund from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can help you plan your finances better and not stress out during tax season. This guide covers everything you need to know about tracking, receiving and troubleshooting your Canadian tax refund.

How Long Does It Take to Get Your Tax Refund

The time it takes to get your tax refund depends on how you file your return. These are the standard processing times for returns received on or before the filing deadline.

Electronic Filing (NETFILE/EFILE): The CRA aims to process electronic returns and issue refunds within 2 weeks. If you have a direct deposit set up, you can get your personal income tax refund as little as 8 business days after filing.

Paper Returns: The CRA targets processing within 8 weeks for returns mailed on paper. However, this is much longer because paper returns require manual processing.

Non-Resident Returns: If you’re a non-resident filing a Canadian tax return, expect a processing time of approximately 16 weeks in most cases. The longer time frame is because non-resident tax situations are more complex.

These refund timelines apply to returns received on or before the filing deadline. Late-filed returns will take longer to process. The CRA doesn’t start processing returns until mid-February, so even if you file in January, you should wait until at least early March before you get your refund.

How to Check Your Refund Status

Instead of checking your mailbox or bank account daily, the CRA provides several ways to track your refund.

CRA My Account (Fastest Method)

CRA My Account is your online account portal for all your tax information. Through My Account, you can:

View your income tax return status for the current and previous 9 years
Check if your refund has been processed
Get your notice of assessment immediately after filing
Access all your tax slips (T4s, T5s, etc.)
View your RRSP and TFSA contribution limits
Update your contact information and direct deposit details

How to Sign In:

You have three options to sign in:

Sign-In Partner: Use your online banking credentials from participating Canadian financial institutions. This is the fastest method as it uses your bank’s authentication system.
CRA User ID and Password: Create a CRA login. After initial registration, you’ll receive a CRA security code by mail within 10 business days, which you’ll need to enter to gain full access.
BC Services Card: British Columbia residents can use their BC Services Card to access CRA services.

Registration Requirements:

To register for My Account and use its online services, you must have filed at least one income tax return for the current year or previous tax year. You’ll need:

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Date of birth
Current postal code
An amount from a recent tax return (usually line 15000 – total income)

MyCRA Mobile App

The MyCRA mobile app provides convenient access to key tax information on your smartphone or tablet. Through the app, you can:

Check the status of your tax return and refund information
View your notice of assessment
See your RRSP deduction and TFSA contribution room
Access benefit and credit payment dates
Update contact information (in newer versions)

The app is web-based and can be accessed on any mobile device with internet. Standard data charges from your mobile carrier may apply.

By Phone

If you prefer to check your status by phone, the CRA offers both automated and agent-assisted services.

Automated Telephone Service:

Call 1-800-959-8281 and select option 4
Available 6 AM to 3 AM ET
You’ll need your SIN, date of birth and the amount from line 15000 of your most recent tax return

Contact Centre Agent:

Same number: 1-800-959-8281
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET
Yukon, NWT, Nunavut: 1-866-426-1527
Outside Canada: 613-940-8495 (Eastern Time)

Before calling, have your SIN, full name, date of birth, complete address, and information from a recent assessed return ready.

Important: If you reside in Canada, wait 8 weeks after filing before contacting the CRA about a paper return. For online returns, wait at least 2 to 3 weeks. Non-residents should wait 16 weeks.

Understanding Your Notice of Assessment

Your Notice of Assessment (NOA) is the CRA’s official confirmation that your tax return has been processed. It’s essentially your “tax report card” for the year.

What’s Included in Your NOA:

Account Summary: Shows whether you’re receiving a refund, have a zero balance or owe money, including any outstanding amounts from previous years
Tax Assessment Summary: Lists the main lines from your tax return and amounts used to calculate your balance
Explanation of Changes: Details any adjustments the CRA made to your return based on their review
RRSP Deduction Limit: Your remaining contribution room for the next tax year
TFSA Contribution Room: Available contribution space for your Tax-Free Savings Account
Carryforward Amounts: Unused credits or deductions that can be applied to future years

How You’ll Receive Your NOA:

The CRA sends your NOA in one of two ways:

In Your CRA My Account: Available as soon as your return is processed
By Mail: Either as online mail (with email notification) or traditional letter mail to your address on file

NETFILE Confirmation Number: When you file online, you’ll receive an 8-digit confirmation number within seconds. This confirms the CRA has received your return for processing. Keep this number as you may need it for future reference.

Payment Methods: Direct Deposit vs. Cheque

How you receive your refund impacts how quickly you get your money.

Direct Deposit (Recommended)

Direct deposit is the fastest and most secure way to receive your refund. Once the CRA processes your return, your refund is electronically deposited into your bank account.

How to Set Up Direct Deposit:

The fastest methods are:

Through Your Bank: Most Canadian banks and credit unions allow you to enroll for CRA direct deposit through online banking or mobile apps. The CRA updates your information the next business day after you provide consent.
Through CRA My Account: Sign in, go to Profile > Contact Information > Direct Deposit and enter your banking information. Updates are immediate.

By Mail (Slowest Method): Complete Form “Canada Direct Deposit Enrolment” and mail with a void cheque. Processing time is up to 3 months or longer.

Important Notes:

You cannot update direct deposit by phone
Don’t close your old bank account until your first payment is deposited into your new account
Direct deposit must be set up before you file your return to receive that year’s refund electronically

Refund by Cheque

The CRA will mail you a cheque if you’re not registered for direct deposit. This takes much longer:

Processing your return: 2 weeks (online) or 8 weeks (paper)
Plus mailing time: Additional 4-6 weeks after processing
Plus bank hold time: Your bank may place a hold on the cheque when you deposit it

Government of Canada cheques never expire. If you have an old uncashed CRA cheque, you can still cash it at any Canadian financial institution with no charge.

Why Your Refund Might Be Delayed

Several factors can extend your refund processing time beyond the standard timelines.

CRA Review or Audit

Your return may be selected for a more detailed review. The CRA screens all returns electronically and may flag certain ones for manual review based on:

Information mismatches: Your reported income doesn’t match what employers or financial institutions reported to the CRA
High-risk deductions: Claims for medical expenses, moving expenses, employment expenses or legal fees often trigger reviews
Significant changes: Deductions or credits substantially different from previous years
Compliance history: If previous returns had errors or required adjustments
Random selection: Some returns are simply chosen at random

If your return is selected for review, the CRA will send you a letter requesting additional information or clarification. The letter will specify which deduction or credit requires verification and provide a deadline (usually a few weeks) to respond.

There is no fixed timeline for processing during a review. Depending on their complexity, reviews can take several weeks to several months. However, if your refund is delayed due to a review, the CRA will pay you interest from the original due date.

Missing or Incorrect Information

Common errors that cause delays include:

Wrong Social Insurance Number
Mismatched names (yours, your spouse’s, or dependents’)
Missing tax slips (T3, T4, T5)
Unreported income
Mathematical errors
Incomplete forms or missing signatures

The CRA may contact you to request missing information, which extends processing time.

Outstanding Debts (Offsetting)

If you have outstanding debts, the CRA may keep all or part of your refund. This process is called “offsetting.”

Types of debts that can offset your refund:

Previous year’s income tax owing
COVID-19 benefit overpayments (CERB, CRB, etc.)
GST/HST owing from sole proprietorship or partnership
Outstanding provincial or territorial government debts (student loans, employment insurance overpayments, social assistance overpayments)
Immigration loans or training allowance overpayments
Garnishment orders under the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act

When the CRA offsets your refund, you’ll get a notice of redetermination or statement of account explaining what happened. The Canada Child Benefit can only be used to offset CCB debt, not other types of debt.

If offsetting causes financial hardship: Call the CRA at 1-888-863-8657 (for tax debt) or 1-888-863-8662 (for benefit debt) even if you already have a payment arrangement.

Late Filing

If you file after the deadline, processing times will be longer. Interest on your refund will only start calculating 30 days after you file (not from the original due date).

Refunds of $2 or Less

The CRA doesn’t issue refunds of $2 or less. These small amounts are written off.

Address or Banking Information Issues

If your contact information is outdated, the CRA may be unable to send your refund cheque or send it to the wrong address. Always keep your information up to date with the CRA.

Interest on Delayed Refunds

If the CRA doesn’t issue your refund within the standard time frame, it will be paid compound daily interest.

Interest starts calculating from the latest of these three dates:

30 days after the tax year’s balance due date (usually late June for personal returns)
30 days after you file your return
The day you overpaid your taxes

Current Interest Rates: The CRA publishes interest rates quarterly for corporate and individual taxpayers.

Interest is compounded daily, meaning each day’s calculation is based on the principal plus interest from previous days. While the amounts may seem small for short delays, they can add up for larger refunds or longer delays.

Important: Refund interest is taxable income. You must report it on line 12100 (Interest and Other Investment Income) of your income tax return in the year you receive it.

What to Do If Your Refund Hasn’t Arrived

If it’s been longer than the expected processing time and you haven’t received your refund, follow these steps:

1. Check Your Status Online

Log in to CRA My Account or use the MyCRA app to see if your return has been processed and check for any messages from the CRA.

2. Verify Your Information

Make sure the CRA has your:

Mailing address
Direct deposit information
Email address (for online mail notifications)

You can update this information through My Account.

3. Look for CRA Correspondence

Check for letters or emails from the CRA asking for more information or explaining delays. If you’re registered for online mail, check your My Account regularly.

4. Check for Uncashed Cheques

Use My Account service to see if you have any uncashed cheques in the CRA system. As of May 2025, there was approximately $1.7 billion in uncashed CRA cheques from 1998.

Here are the options to request a reissue of an uncashed cheque:

Online: Through My Account or Represent a Client, download the pre-filled Form PWGSC 535 (Undertaking and Indemnity), fill it out with a witness signature and submit it through “Submit documents”.
By Phone: Call 1-800-959-8281 for personal refunds or 1-800-959-5525 for business refunds. The CRA will mail you the form.

Processing time for reissued cheques is typically 3-6 weeks after the CRA receives your completed form.

5. Contact the CRA

If you’ve waited beyond the standard processing time and can’t find information online, call the CRA directly at 1-800-959-8281. Their hours are Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 8 PM ET.

Before calling:

Have your SIN, full name, date of birth, address and recent tax information ready
Check if you have a NETFILE confirmation number
Note any reference numbers from CRA correspondence

6. Get Help

If your situation is complex or you can’t resolve the issue, consider authorizing an accounting firm as your representative, or contact the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson if you’ve exhausted all other options.

Tips for Faster Refunds Next Year

Based on what impacts processing times, here are some tips to get your refund as quickly as possible:

1. File Electronically

Use NETFILE-certified tax software or an EFILE service provider. Electronic filing reduces processing time from 8 weeks to 2 weeks.

2. Set Up Direct Deposit

Register for direct deposit through your bank or CRA My Account before filing your return. This can cut 2-6 weeks off your refund delivery time.

3. File Early and On Time

Don’t wait until the deadline. Filing early means your return enters the processing queue sooner. Late filing extends processing times.

4. Double-Check Your Return

Review your return carefully before submitting to avoid errors. Here are some of the things you should do:

Verify that all T-slips match your documents
Ensure your SIN and names are correct
Report all income, including amounts under $500
Keep receipts for all deductions and credits claimed

5. Use Auto-Fill My Return

This CRA service automatically imports information from your tax slips to reduce errors.

6. Keep Good Records

Keep organized records and receipts for six years in case the CRA selects your return for review. Having all the required documents ready helps resolve reviews quickly.

7. Register for Online Mail

8. Update Your Information Promptly

Keep your address, phone number and email current with the CRA. Outdated information can delay refunds and prevent you from receiving important notices.

9. Avoid Amendments When Possible

If you discover an error after filing, assess whether it’s worth amending. Minor adjustments may not justify the extended processing time. For significant errors, use the “Change My Return” service in My Account rather than filing a paper T1 Adjustment.

10. Pay Outstanding Balances

Clear any previous tax debts or other government debts to prevent offsetting, so you’ll get the full amount of the refund.

Special Cases

Deceased Taxpayers

Executors filing returns for deceased individuals should expect longer processing times. These returns require special handling.

First-Time Filers

Register your SIN with the CRA before setting up direct deposit if you have never filed a Canadian tax return. Call 1-800-959-8281 to register.

Non-Residents

The 16-week processing time for non-resident returns reflects additional verification requirements. Due to international mail delays, the CRA temporarily accepts non-resident returns by fax.

Multiple Tax Years

Filing multiple tax years at once extends processing time. The CRA processes these more carefully to ensure accurate carryforwards and carrybacks.

High-Value Refunds

Large refunds may trigger extra scrutiny. If your refund is significantly higher than in previous years (due to high RRSP contributions, multiple employers over-withholding, or other factors), expect delays while the CRA verifies your claims.

Complex Returns

Returns with self-employment income, rental income, capital gains, foreign income or multiple investments take longer to process.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Knowing your rights helps you navigate the refund process with confidence.

You Have the Right To:

Get your refund within standard processing times if your return is filed correctly and on time
Receive interest if the CRA takes longer than standard times to process your refund
Object to your Notice of Assessment within 90 days if you disagree with the CRA’s calculations
Request relief from penalties and interest in cases of financial hardship or extraordinary circumstances
Be treated professionally and with respect by CRA staff

Here are your responsibilities:

File accurate and complete returns on time
Keep records and supporting documents for at least 6 years
Report all income from all sources
Respond to CRA requests for information promptly
Update your information when it changes
Claim only deductions and credits you’re entitled to

Conclusion

Refunds typically take two weeks for electronic returns with direct deposit, or eight weeks for paper returns by cheque. The key to getting your refund quickly is to file tax returns online, set up direct deposit, submit accurate information and keep your CRA account information up to date.

If your refund is delayed, don’t panic. Contact our corporate tax accountant or personal tax accountant, and we’ll help. We can check your CRA Account for processing status, verify your information is correct, and look for any issues causing the delay. The CRA will pay you interest if your refund is delayed beyond standard processing times.

By understanding the refund process, tracking your status, and following best practices for filing, you can avoid delays and get your refund as soon as possible. For most Canadians who file electronically with direct deposit, that refund will be in their account within 2 weeks.