Tax refunds
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Refund timelines
How you file your return can affect when you get your refund.
Check the status of your return in your CRA account
You can view the status of your return using the progress tracker in your CRA account.
Check general processing times for T1 returns
Go to: Check CRA processing times
Non-resident returns:
Processed within 16 weeks.
The CRA may take longer to process your return if it is selected for a more detailed review.
Why you have not received your refund
The CRA may keep all or part of your refund if you have:
- an amount owing (or pending amount owing)
- a garnishment order under the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act
- certain other outstanding federal, provincial or territorial government debts, such as student loans, employment insurance (EI) and social assistance benefit overpayments, immigration loans or training allowance overpayments
- any outstanding GST/HST returns from a sole proprietorship or partnership
- a refund of $2 or less
Interest on your refund
The CRA will pay you compound daily interest on your 2024 tax refund in some situations. The calculation will start on the latest of the following three dates:
- the 30th day after the balance due date for the tax year
- the 30th day after you file your return
- the day you overpaid your taxes
For more information, see Prescribed interest rates.
Check the status of your refund
How to check your refund status
If you reside in Canada, wait eight weeks before contacting the CRA for an update on your tax return and refund status. If you reside outside Canada, wait 16 weeks.
- Online:
My Account gives you secure online access to your tax return information.
- By phone:
Contact centre agent
- Before you call
To verify your identity, the CRA may ask for:
- your social insurance number
- your full name
- your date of birth
- your complete address
- an assessed return, notice of assessment or reassessment, other tax document, or to be signed in to My Account
If you are calling the CRA on behalf of someone else, you must be an authorized representative.
- Telephone number
1-800-959-8281
Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut:
1-866-426-1527Outside Canada and the United States (Eastern Standard Time):
613-940-8495- Hours
Hours of operation Day Hours Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET Saturday and Sunday Closed Closed on public holidays
Automated line
- Before you call
To verify your identity, the CRA may ask for:
- your social insurance number
- your full name
- your date of birth
- your complete address
- the amount entered at line 15000 off your most recent notice of assessment
- Telephone number
1-800-959-8281, Select option 4
- Hours
6 AM to 3 AM ET
No wait times
Transfer your refund
Transfer your refund to an instalment account
You can ask the CRA to transfer your refund to your 2025 instalment account by:
- choosing this option when you file your tax return electronically
- attaching a note to your paper return
The CRA will transfer the full amount of your refund directly to your instalment account. It will go toward any amount owing on your tax return. The CRA will consider this payment received on the date that your return is assessed.
For more information, see Payments for individuals.
Note
The CRA will not transfer your refund to pay another person’s amount owing.