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Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) with CRA

Return or repay a payment

Status: Closed

The CERB closed to retroactive applications on December 2, 2020. You can no longer apply for this benefit.

On this page

Why you would send the CERB back

The CRA provided convenient ways for you to get the CERB as quickly as possible. But we need to ensure that the CERB is kept only by people who were eligible. Your situation may have changed since you first applied, or you may have made an honest mistake when applying.

Payments made to anyone who is later found to be ineligible will need to be returned. Any individuals who mistakenly received multiple payments or payments they did not apply for should begin the repayment process below, in How to return or repay the CERB.

  • View each 4-week eligibility period in a calendar:
    • Period 1 - March 15 to April 11 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      March: part of the March 15 to April 11 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
      Sunday March 1, 2020 Monday March 2, 2020 Tuesday March 3, 2020 Wednesday March 4, 2020 Thursday March 5, 2020 Friday March 6, 2020 Saturday March 7, 2020
      Sunday March 8, 2020 Monday March 9, 2020 Tuesday March 10, 2020 Wednesday March 11, 2020 Thursday March 12, 2020 Friday March 13, 2020 Saturday March 14, 2020
      Sunday March 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday March 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday March 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday March 18, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday March 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday March 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday March 21, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday March 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday March 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday March 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday March 25, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday March 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday March 27, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday March 28, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday March 29, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday March 30, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday March 31, 2020: part of eligibility period        
      April: part of the March 15 to April 11 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
            Wednesday April 1, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday April 2, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday April 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday April 4, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday April 5, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday April 6, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday April 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday April 8, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday April 9, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday April 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday April 11, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday April 12, 2020 Monday April 13, 2020 Tuesday April 14, 2020 Wednesday April 15, 2020 Thursday April 16, 2020 Friday April 17, 2020 Saturday April 18, 2020
      Sunday April 19, 2020 Monday April 20, 2020 Tuesday April 21, 2020 Wednesday April 22, 2020 Thursday April 23, 2020 Friday April 24, 2020 Saturday April 25, 2020
      Sunday April 26, 2020 Monday April 27, 2020 Tuesday April 28, 2020 Wednesday April 29, 2020 Thursday April 30, 2020    
    • Period 2 - April 12 to May 9, 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      April: part of the April 12 to May 9 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
            Wednesday April 1, 2020 Thursday April 2, 2020 Friday April 3, 2020 Saturday April 4, 2020
      Sunday April 5, 2020 Monday April 6, 2020 Tuesday April 7, 2020 Wednesday April 8, 2020 Thursday April 9, 2020 Friday April 10, 2020 Saturday April 11, 2020
      Sunday April 12, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday April 13, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday April 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday April 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday April 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday April 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday April 18, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday April 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday April 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday April 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday April 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday April 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday April 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday April 25, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday April 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday April 27, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday April 28, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday April 29, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday April 30, 2020: part of eligibility period    
                   
      May: part of the April 12 to May 9 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
                Friday May 1, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday May 2, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday May 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday May 4, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday May 5, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday May 6, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday May 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday May 8, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday May 9, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday May 10, 2020 Monday May 11, 2020 Tuesday May 12, 2020 Wednesday May 13, 2020 Thursday May 14, 2020 Friday May 15, 2020 Saturday May 16, 2020
      Sunday May 17, 2020 Monday May 18, 2020 Tuesday May 19, 2020 Wednesday May 20, 2020 Thursday May 21, 2020 Friday May 22, 2020 Saturday May 23, 2020
      Sunday May 24, 2020 Monday May 25, 2020 Tuesday May 26, 2020 Wednesday May 27, 2020 Thursday May 28, 2020 Friday May 29, 2020 Saturday May 30, 2020
      Sunday May 31, 2020            
    • Period 3 - May 10 to June 6, 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      May: part of the May 10 to June 6 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
                Friday May 1, 2020 Saturday May 2, 2020
      Sunday May 3, 2020 Monday May 4, 2020 Tuesday May 5, 2020 Wednesday May 6, 2020 Thursday May 7, 2020 Friday May 8, 2020 Saturday May 9, 2020
      Sunday May 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday May 11, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday May 12, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday May 13, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday May 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday May 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday May 16, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday May 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday May 18, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday May 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday May 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday May 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday May 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday May 23, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday May 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday May 25, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday May 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday May 27, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday May 28, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday May 29, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday May 30, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday May 31, 2020: part of eligibility period            
      June: part of the May 10 to June 6 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
        Monday June 1, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday June 2, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday June 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday June 4, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday June 5, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday June 6, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday June 7, 2020 Monday June 8, 2020 Tuesday June 9, 2020 Wednesday June 10, 2020 Thursday June 11, 2020 Friday June 12, 2020 Saturday June 13, 2020
      Sunday June 14, 2020 Monday June 15, 2020 Tuesday June 16, 2020 Wednesday June 17, 2020 Thursday June 18, 2020 Friday June 19, 2020 Saturday June 20, 2020
      Sunday June 21, 2020 Monday June 22, 2020 Tuesday June 23, 2020 Wednesday June 24, 2020 Thursday June 25, 2020 Friday June 26, 2020 Saturday June 27, 2020
      Sunday June 28, 2020 Monday June 29, 2020 Tuesday June 30, 2020        
                   
    • Period 4 - June 7 to July 4, 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      June: part of the June 7 to July 4 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
        Monday June 1, 2020 Tuesday June 2, 2020 Wednesday June 3, 2020 Thursday June 4, 2020 Friday June 5, 2020 Saturday June 6, 2020
      Sunday June 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday June 8, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday June 9, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday June 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday June 11, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday June 12, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday June 13, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday June 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday June 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday June 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday June 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday June 18, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday June 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday June 20, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday June 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday June 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday June 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday June 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday June 25, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday June 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday June 27, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday June 28, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday June 29, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday June 30, 2020: part of eligibility period        
      July: part of the June 7 to July 4 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
            Wednesday July 1, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday July 2, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday July 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday July 4, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday July 5, 2020 Monday July 6, 2020 Tuesday July 7, 2020 Wednesday July 8, 2020 Thursday July 9, 2020 Friday July 10, 2020 Saturday July 11, 2020
      Sunday July 12, 2020 Monday July 13, 2020 Tuesday July 14, 2020 Wednesday July 15, 2020 Thursday July 16, 2020 Friday July 17, 2020 Saturday July 18, 2020
      Sunday July 19, 2020 Monday July 20, 2020 Tuesday July 21, 2020 Wednesday July 22, 2020 Thursday July 23, 2020 Friday July 24, 2020 Saturday July 25, 2020
      Sunday July 26, 2020 Monday July 27, 2020 Tuesday July 28, 2020 Wednesday July 29, 2020 Thursday July 30, 2020 Friday July 31, 2020  
    • Period 5 - July 5 to August 1, 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      July: part of the July 4 to August 1, 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
            Wednesday July 1, 2020 Thursday July 2, 2020 Friday July 3, 2020 Saturday July 4, 2020
      Sunday July 5, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday July 6, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday July 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday July 8, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday July 9, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday July 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday July 11, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday July 12, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday July 13, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday July 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday July 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday July 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday July 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday July 18, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday July 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday July 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday July 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday July 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday July 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday July 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday July 25, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday July 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday July 27, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday July 28, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday July 29, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday July 30, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday July 31, 2020: part of eligibility period  
                   
      August: part of the July 4 to August 1, 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
                  Saturday August 1, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday August 2, 2020 Monday August 3, 2020 Tuesday August 4, 2020 Wednesday August 5, 2020 Thursday August 6, 2020 Friday August 7, 2020 Saturday August 8, 2020
      Sunday August 9, 2020 Monday August 10, 2020 Tuesday August 11, 2020 Wednesday August 12, 2020 Thursday August 13, 2020 Friday August 14, 2020 Saturday August 15, 2020
      Sunday August 16, 2020 Monday August 17, 2020 Tuesday August 18, 2020 Wednesday August 19, 2020 Thursday August 20, 2020 Friday August 21, 2020 Saturday August 22, 2020
      Sunday August 23, 2020 Monday August 24, 2020 Tuesday August 25, 2020 Wednesday August 26, 2020 Thursday August 27, 2020 Friday August 28, 2020 Saturday August 29, 2020
      Sunday August 30, 2020 Monday August 31, 2020          
    • Period 6 - August 2 to August 29, 2020

      A table with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      August: part of the August 2 to August 29, 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
                  Saturday August 1, 2020
      Sunday August 2, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday August 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday August 4, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday August 5, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday August 6, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday August 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday August 8, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday August 9, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday August 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday August 11, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday August 12, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday August 13, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday August 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday August 15, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday August 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday August 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday August 18, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday August 19, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday August 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday August 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday August 22, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday August 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday August 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday August 25, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday August 26, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday August 27, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday August 28, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday August 29, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday August 30, 2020 Monday August 31, 2020          
    • Period 7 - August 30 to September 26, 2020

      Two tables with all the days that apply to eligibility period

      August: part of the August 30 to September 26, 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
                  Saturday August 1, 2020
      Sunday August 2, 2020 Monday August 3, 2020 Tuesday August 4, 2020 Wednesday August 5, 2020 Thursday August 6, 2020 Friday August 7, 2020 Saturday August 8, 2020
      Sunday August 9, 2020 Monday August 10, 2020 Tuesday August 11, 2020 Wednesday August 12, 2020 Thursday August 13, 2020 Friday August 14, 2020 Saturday August 15, 2020
      Sunday August 16, 2020 Monday August 17, 2020 Tuesday August 18, 2020 Wednesday August 19, 2020 Thursday August 20, 2020 Friday August 21, 2020 Saturday August 22, 2020
      Sunday August 23, 2020 Monday August 24, 2020 Tuesday August 25, 2020 Wednesday August 26, 2020 Thursday August 27, 2020 Friday August 28, 2020 Saturday August 29, 2020
      Sunday August 30, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday August 31, 2020: part of eligibility period          
      September: part of the August 30 to September 26, 2020 eligibility period
      S M T W T F S
          Tuesday September 1, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday September 2, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday September 3, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday September 4, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday September 5, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday September 6, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday September 7, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday September 8, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday September 9, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday September 10, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday September 11, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday September 12, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday September 13, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday September 14, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday September 15, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday September 16, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday September 17, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday September 18, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday September 19, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday September 20, 2020: part of eligibility period Monday September 21, 2020: part of eligibility period Tuesday September 22, 2020: part of eligibility period Wednesday September 23, 2020: part of eligibility period Thursday September 24, 2020: part of eligibility period Friday September 25, 2020: part of eligibility period Saturday September 26, 2020: part of eligibility period
      Sunday September 27, 2020 Monday September 28, 2020 Tuesday September 29, 2020 Wednesday September 30, 2020      
                   

Determine if you need to repay the CERB to the CRA

Alternative format: Determine if you need to repay the CERB to the CRA

Repayment scenarios

This could happen if:

  • you earned employment or self-employment income earlier than expected
  • you applied for the CERB but later realize you’re not eligible
  • you received a CERB payment from both Service Canada and the CRA for the same period

If you applied for the CERB twice in one period

If you applied for the CERB or EI with Service Canada, and then later applied for the CERB with the CRA for the same eligibility period, you applied twice. If this happens, you will have to return or repay the overpayment.

Do I have to repay my CERB if I got rehired or found a new job?

You are required to repay the CERB if you no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the 4-week period in question. For example, you applied for the 4-week period of April 12 to May 9. At the time you applied, you expected to have little or no work or income for that 4-week period. But your employer rehired you and will give you back-pay for that same 4-week period. In this situation, you need to repay the CERB for that 4-week period of April 12 to May 9.

Repayment conditions

The conditions around paying back the CERB are different if you’re paying back your first eligibility period, or a subsequent period.

For your first eligibility period

If your employment or self-employment income was $1,000 or less (before deductions) for at least 14 days in a row during this 4-week period, you do not need to repay the CERB.

For subsequent eligibility periods

You will need to repay the $2,000 for an eligibility period if you earned more than $1,000 (before deductions) from employment or self-employment income during that period.

Recognize CERB repayment scams

Beware of fraudulent emails, texts or calls claiming to be from the CRA about repaying the CERB or requesting personal information.

For more on what to expect when we contact you, and what information we ask for, go to Protect yourself against fraud.

How to return or repay the CERB

Send back your payment to the department where you applied for it

Where did you apply for the CERB?

  • CRA
  • Service Canada
  • Not sure where I applied

    Read the descriptions below to determine where you applied.

    You applied through the CRA if:

    • the application you filled out was very short
    • you applied through CRA My Account or applied with an automated phone service
    • you were asked what period of eligibility you were applying for and then had to certify that you met the eligibility requirements

    Note: It is possible you may have logged in to My Service Canada Account and then switched to CRA My Account to apply.

    You applied through Service Canada if:

    • you applied online and did not need to enter a user ID or password.
    • applying by telephone was not available
    • you were asked several questions, similar to an employment insurance (EI) application, including the type of EI benefits you were applying for and the name of your former employer

    Where did you apply for the CERB?

    • CRA
    • Service Canada
    • I'm still not sure

If you were paid by direct deposit or don't have the original CERB cheque

To repay the CERB, choose one of the following options:

Online:
Sign in to CRA My Account
Online banking:

With your financial institution:

  1. Sign in to your financial institution's online banking service
  2. Under "Add a payee" look for an option such as CRA (revenue) – Canada emergency benefit repayment or CEB repayment to repay a CRA administered COVID-19 benefit
  3. Enter your 9 digit social insurance number (SIN) as the CRA account number
By mail:

Mail a cheque or money order to the CRA:

  1. Make the payment out to "Receiver General for Canada"
  2. Indicate it is for "Repayment of CERB"
  3. Indicate which eligibility period you are repaying
  4. Include your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or your Temporary Tax Number (TTN)
  5. Mail your payment to:

    Revenue Processing – Repayment of CERB
    Sudbury Tax Centre
    1050 Notre Dame Avenue
    Sudbury ON P3A 0C3

If you still have the original CERB cheque

You can return the cheque by mail.

Be sure to include:

  1. the reason for returning the cheque (not entitled or overpayment)
  2. your Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Tax Number (TTN)

Mail the cheque to:

Revenue Processing – Repayment of CERB
Sudbury Tax Centre
1050 Notre Dame Avenue
Sudbury ON P3A 0C3

Send your EI/ Service Canada payment back to Service Canada

If you received your CERB from Service Canada (EI), you must send it back to Service Canada.

How repayments can impact your taxes

The timing of when you repay a CERB amount may impact your taxes.

If you repaid a CERB amount:

  • before December 31, 2020 – your repayment should be reflected on your 2020 T4A slip (you will not pay tax on amounts you repaid in 2020)
  • after December 31, 2020 – you will be taxed based on the full amount shown on your 2020 T4A slip (your repayment will be on your 2021 T4A slip, which you can claim as a deduction on next year’s tax return)

For more on taxes, go to: Impact on your taxes

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