CRA deposits most refunds within 2 to 10 business days after you file
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) processes and deposits tax refunds on different timelines depending on how you file and how you receive your money. If you file online and choose direct deposit to your bank account, you can expect the deposit between 2 and 10 business days after the CRA receives your return. If you file by mail or paper, or if you chose a cheque instead of direct deposit, the timeline stretches to 4 to 6 weeks or longer.
The exact timing also depends on whether the CRA needs to review your return. Most straightforward returns — those with no errors, no missing documents, and no red flags — move through quickly. Returns that trigger a review, that have incomplete information, or that claim certain credits can take significantly longer.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit to a Canadian bank account is the fastest method, typically 2 to 10 business days from when the CRA receives your filed return.
- Paper cheques sent by mail take 4 to 6 weeks or longer, and the timeline starts from when the CRA processes your return, not when you mail it.
- The CRA may hold your refund for review if your return contains errors, missing information, or claims that need verification.
- You can track your refund status through My Account on the CRA website or by calling 1-800-959-5525, but the status updates only after processing begins.
- Business days do not include weekends or statutory holidays, so a 10-business-day window can stretch to three calendar weeks.
Direct deposit is faster than cheque, but requires setup before filing
Direct deposit is the CRA's fastest refund method. Once your return is processed and approved, the CRA sends the money electronically to your bank account. This typically takes 2 to 10 business days from the date the CRA receives your return — not from the date you file it online or mail it in. The clock starts when the CRA's system records receipt, which happens within a day or two of online filing but can take weeks for paper returns.
To use direct deposit, you must provide your banking information on your tax return before you file. The CRA needs your institution number (the three-digit code for your bank), your branch number (the five-digit code for your specific branch), and your account number. You can find all three on a blank cheque or by calling your bank. If you do not provide this information, the CRA will send a cheque instead, even if you have used direct deposit in previous years.
Direct deposit works only for Canadian bank accounts. If your account is at a US bank or a credit union outside Canada, the CRA cannot use direct deposit and will send a cheque.
Paper cheques take 4 to 6 weeks or longer from processing date
If you file by mail or if you did not provide direct deposit information, the CRA sends your refund by cheque. The timeline is 4 to 6 weeks from the date the CRA processes your return, not from the date you mail it. Processing a paper return takes 2 to 4 weeks on its own, so the total time from mailing your return to receiving a cheque can easily reach 6 to 10 weeks.
Once the CRA mails the cheque, Canada Post handles delivery. A cheque mailed from a CRA office in your province typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days, but mail delays can extend this. If the cheque is mailed from a different province, add another week. Cheques can also be lost or delayed in the mail, so if you do not receive it within the expected window, contact the CRA to request a replacement or to switch to direct deposit for future years.
The CRA may delay your refund if your return needs review
A straightforward return with no errors and no missing information moves through the CRA's system quickly. But certain situations trigger a review that can add weeks or months to your refund timeline. The CRA reviews returns that contain math errors, that claim large or unusual credits, that report business income, that include rental income, or that show a significant change from the previous year's return.
The CRA also reviews returns when information does not match other records — for example, if your reported income does not match a T4 or T5 slip the CRA received from your employer or financial institution. If you claim the Canada Workers Benefit, the Canada Training Credit, or certain other refundable credits, the CRA may verify your circumstances before releasing the refund. These reviews can add 4 to 12 weeks to the timeline.
You will not know immediately whether your return is under review. The CRA does not contact you unless it needs additional information from you. If you do not hear from the CRA within the normal processing window, you can check your status through My Account or call to ask whether your return is being reviewed.
Track your refund status through My Account or by phone
The CRA's My Account portal shows your refund status once processing has begun. Log in with your Social Insurance Number and password, then look for the "Tax returns" section. The status will show "Received" once the CRA has recorded your return, "Being processed" while it is under review, and "Assessed" once the CRA has finished and calculated your refund amount. After assessment, the status updates to show the refund amount and the expected deposit or mailing date.
My Account updates are not real-time. The status may lag behind the actual processing by a few days. If you filed online, the status usually updates within 24 hours of filing. If you filed by mail, it may take 2 to 4 weeks for the status to change from "Received" to "Being processed."
You can also call the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 to ask about your refund status. Have your Social Insurance Number and the tax year ready. The CRA can tell you whether your return has been received, whether it is under review, and when you can expect your refund. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or late in the week.
Refunds filed during tax season take longer than off-season returns
The CRA processes millions of returns between February and June each year. During this peak period, processing times are slower even for straightforward returns. A return filed in April may take the full 10 business days for direct deposit, whereas the same return filed in September might clear in 5 business days. Paper returns filed during tax season can take 6 to 8 weeks instead of the standard 4 to 6 weeks.
Filing early in the tax season does not speed up your refund. The CRA begins processing returns on February 15 each year, regardless of when you file. A return filed on February 16 and one filed on May 1 may be processed at similar speeds if both are straightforward. However, filing early does mean you receive your refund earlier in the calendar year, which can matter if you need the money soon.
What to do if your refund is late or does not arrive
If your refund does not arrive within the expected window, first check My Account to confirm the CRA has assessed your return and approved the refund. If the status shows "Assessed" and lists a refund amount and date, but the money has not appeared in your account, wait a few more business days — deposits sometimes lag behind the estimated date by 2 to 3 days.
If the status still shows "Being processed" after the expected timeline has passed, call the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 to ask whether your return is under review or whether there is a problem. If you filed by cheque and the status shows "Assessed" but you have not received the cheque after 10 business days, the cheque may have been lost in the mail. The CRA can issue a replacement cheque or switch you to direct deposit for the replacement refund.
If the CRA cannot locate your return or if there is a discrepancy between what you reported and what the CRA received, you may need to file an amended return or provide additional documents. The CRA will contact you by mail if this is necessary, but you can also reach out first if you suspect a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does filing online get me my refund faster than mailing a paper return?
Yes, significantly. Online returns are received and processed within days, while paper returns take 2 to 4 weeks just to be recorded in the CRA's system. If you file online with direct deposit, you could have your refund in 2 to 10 business days. A paper return with a cheque can take 6 to 10 weeks total.
What if I need my refund urgently — can I request faster processing?
The CRA does not offer expedited processing for personal tax refunds. Filing online with direct deposit is the fastest standard option. If you have a genuine financial hardship, you can contact the CRA to explain your situation, but there is no may provide of faster processing.
Do business days include weekends and holidays?
No. Business days count only Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays. A 10-business-day timeline can stretch to three calendar weeks if it includes a weekend or a holiday like Christmas or Canada Day.
Can I change from cheque to direct deposit after I file?
You cannot change the delivery method for a refund that is already being processed. However, you can update your banking information in My Account so that future refunds use direct deposit. If you want this year's refund by direct deposit instead of cheque, you would need to contact the CRA to ask whether a change is possible — this depends on how far along the processing is.
What if the CRA says my refund was deposited but I do not see it in my account?
Bank deposits can take 1 to 3 additional business days to appear after the CRA sends them, depending on your bank's processing speed. If it has been more than 3 business days since the CRA said the refund was deposited, contact your bank to confirm the deposit was received. Provide your bank with the CRA's reference number from My Account.