If you’re getting a tax refund this year, you probably want to know when to expect it in the mail or your bank account. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has ways you can check the status of your tax refund. Usually, though, you don’t have to wait too long to receive it!
How Long Does It Take To Receive Your Tax Refund?
The CRA issues tax refunds in a long timeline – it can take anywhere from two weeks to 16 weeks. It depends on the type of return and when you filed it. They will send a Notice of Assessment and any applicable refund within:
- Two weeks of obtaining an electronically filed return
- Eight weeks of obtaining a paper-filed return
- 16 weeks of obtaining a nonresident paper-filed return
The fastest way to get your tax return processed is to file it electronically, and if you choose direct deposit, you will receive the refund quicker, too.
How Can You Check The Status Of Your Tax Refund?
There are four ways to check on the status of your refund. Which one you use depends on whether your return is an individual or a T2 or corporate return. Signing in to these services, you can use your online banking service or your CRA user ID and password.
1. My Account: If you’re an individual who filed taxes, including partnerships and sole proprietorships, check on your tax return using your My Account online portal. Through this, you can view the status of your return, as well as your notice of assessment, Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA). You can also modify your return, enter and edit direct deposit information, make payments, submit documents, and update your contact information.
2. MyBenefits CRA App: It’s much like the My Account portal, but the MyBenefits mobile web app is designed more for your smaller screens. On your phone, you can view the status of your return, notice of assessment, and RRSP/TFSA contribution limits, as well as manage direct deposits and keep your contact information current.
3. Business Accounts: If you filed a corporate tax return, file, view, and check the status of your return from your web browser using the Business Accounts with CRA portal. Much like My Account, users can also manage direct deposit information and make address changes, but you can also file Notices of Objection to dispute returns.
4. Phone: The CRA lets you check on your refund or return by calling CRA’s Telerefund line at (800) 959-1956 or the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) line at (800) 267-6999. Make sure you have the following information on hand:
- Your name or business name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- Social insurance number (for individuals) or business number (for corporations)
- Details from your account or a previously assessed return, notice of assessment, etc. (for individuals)
- Details from your account or the recently assessed business return (for businesses)
Why Is My Tax Return Held Up?
If you checked on your return and found out it’s delayed, don’t worry – there are several innocuous reasons why your refund is behind schedule. For example, if your contact information has changed. If the CRA needs to get in touch with you to verify some information on your return and does not have your up-to-date contact information, it will take longer to process your return.
If your file has a major change in your deduction claims from the previous year, have been reassessed or penalized in years past, or still owe taxes from years past, they might be taking some extra time with your return.
There may be errors on your return, including misreported income or expenses. These can put you at risk of an audit by the CRA, but being randomly chosen for an audit also can delay your refund. Working with a professional tax service can help you with these issues!