Tax refunds
Reminder: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has resumed its work to address taxpayer debt. Benefit and credit payments, and tax refunds may be applied to pay down outstanding balances. If your debt repayment causes significant financial hardship, contact the CRA directly to discuss your options even if you already have a payment plan in place. For more information about how specific benefits could be impacted, see How payments are applied to offset debt.
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Refund timelines
How you file your return can affect when you get your refund.
The CRA's goal is to send you a notice of assessment, as well as any refund, within:
- two weeks, when you file online
- eight weeks, when you file a paper return
- 16 weeks, when you file a non-resident return
Note
These timelines apply to returns that are received on or before the due date.
To look up processing times, go to Check CRA processing times.
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 6:30 am to 11:00 pm ET Saturday 7:30 am to 8:00 pm ET 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
1-800-959-1956
- Hours
-
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.
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