Return or repay a payment
You may be looking for:
The CESB closed to retroactive applications on September 30, 2020. You can no longer apply for this benefit.
On this page
- Why you would send the CESB back
- Determine how much you must repay
- Repayment options for CESB
- Repayments can affect your taxes
Why you would send the CESB back
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.
You must return or repay the CESB if you:
- were able to find work and earned more than $1,000 (before taxes) during an eligibility period you’ve applied for
- applied for CESB and later found that you are not eligible
- mistakenly received multiple payments or payments you did not apply for
- received more than what you are entitled to
View each 4-week eligibility period in a calendar:
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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
Recognize CESB repayment scams
Beware of fraudulent emails, texts or calls claiming to be from the CRA about repaying the CESB or requesting personal information.
For more on what to expect when we contact you, and what information we ask for, go to Scam prevention and the CRA.
Determine how much you must repay
You must repay the CESB amounts you received in full if you were not eligible for the period you applied for.
Each CESB benefit payment was $1,250. If you received the benefit top-up amount, the payment was $2,000.
To confirm the specific amount you have to repay, review your CRA My Account or check your bank statements.
Repayment options for CESB
If you received any CESB payments that you were not eligible for, you have options to pay back what you owe in full or over time.
Pay back CESB overpayments in full
You can repay your CESB payment to the CRA online, by mail, or in person.
Pay online
CRA My Account:
- Interac Debit
- Visa Debit
- Debit Mastercard
How to pay online with your CRA My Account
- Sign in to CRA My Account
- Find COVID-19 Support
- Select Send the money back (in the right column) to start your emergency support repayment
Keep a copy of your transaction receipt for your records.
CRA My Payment:
- Interac Debit
- Visa Debit
- Debit Mastercard
How to pay online with CRA My Payment
CRA My Payment lets you pay directly to the CRA with your bank card.
- Go to Pay now with My Payment
- Select the Pay now button
- Select payment type: Individual income tax (T1) in Step 1
- Select payment allocation: Canada emergency benefit repayment in Step 2 and follow the instructions
Keep a copy of your transaction receipt for your records.
Online banking:
- Canadian financial institutions
How to pay using your online banking service
- Sign in to your financial institution's online service
- Under "Add a payee", look for an option such as Canada emergency benefit repayment or CEB repayment to repay a CRA-administered COVID-19 benefit
- Enter your 9-digit Social Insurance Number (SIN) as the CRA account number
Other online services:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- PayPal
- Interac e-Transfer
How to pay online with PaySimply
PaySimply is a third-party service provider (service fees apply).
- Go to PaySimply (external link)
- Select Canada Emergency Benefit Repayment
- Fill in the Taxpayer Details and follow the instructions to complete the payment process
Pay by mail
Send a payment by mail:
- Cheque
- Money order
- Cash (not accepted)
How to pay with a Canadian cheque or money order
Cash is not accepted.
- Make the cheque or money order payable to Receiver General for Canada
- Specify the name of the benefit you are repaying
- Indicate which eligibility period you are repaying
- Include your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Mail the cheque or money order to:
- Revenue Processing – Repayment of CEB
Sudbury Tax Centre
1050 Notre Dame Avenue
Sudbury ON P3A 0C3
- Revenue Processing – Repayment of CEB
If your payment is not honoured, the CRA will charge a fee.
If you have the original cheque
You may return it by mail to the address above.
Be sure to include:
- The reason for returning the cheque ("not entitled" or "overpayment")
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Pay in person
Make a payment at Canada Post:
- Debit card
- Cash
How to pay at a Canada Post location with a QR code
You need a QR code to pay at a Canada Post location (service fees apply).
- Create a QR code
- Bring your QR code to a Canada Post outlet to make your payment
If you cannot pay back your full CESB overpayment
Contact the CRA to help you arrange to pay your debt over time. The CRA does not charge interest on COVID-19 benefit debts.
If the CRA has already contacted you about your debt, get details about collection of COVID-19 benefit overpayments issued by the CRA.
Repayments can affect your taxes
The timing of when you repay a CESB amount may affect your taxes. Your repayment should appear on your T4A slip for the year you made the repayment.
If you repay a CESB amount before January 1, 2023, you can choose when and how to claim the deduction on your tax return.
You have the option to claim your repayments as a deduction in the year you made the repayment or in the year you received the benefit. You may also split the deduction between the tax years, as long as you do not deduct more than what you repaid.
For details: Options to claim a repayment as a deduction
When to report your repayments on your taxes
- Repaid in 2020
Your repayment should have been subtracted from your total benefit amount on your 2020 T4A slip.
You did not pay tax on amounts you repaid in 2020.
- Repaid in 2021
-
Your repayment will be on your 2021 T4A slip. If you repaid a benefit amount you received in 2020, you can choose to:
- claim the deduction on your 2020 tax return
- claim the deduction on your 2021 tax return
- split the deduction between your tax returns
- Repaid in 2022
-
Your repayment will be on your 2022 T4A slip. You should receive your T4A slip in early 2023.
You can choose to:
- claim the deduction on your tax return for the year you received the benefit (2020 or 2021)
- claim the deduction on your 2022 tax return
- split the deduction between your tax returns
Keep proof of your repayment if you claim the deduction before you receive your 2022 T4A slip.
- Repaid in 2023 or later
-
If you repay a benefit amount after December 31, 2022, you can only claim a deduction in the year you make the repayment.
- Date modified: