How Long After a Notice of Assessment Do You Get Your Refund?

You've filed your taxes and received your Notice of Assessment (NOA)—and now you're waiting for your tax refund to come in. You've got plans for that money, and it would be helpful to know when it's going to show up in your bank account or mailbox.

The timing of tax refunds can vary, and there are a few factors that go into it. Here, we outline how to make tax refunds arrive faster, situations that might cause delays, and when you might want to contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

How long do tax refunds take?

How long it takes the CRA to process your income tax return and issue a refund depends on how you file and the status of your return. Standard times to receive a Notice of Assessment and tax refund are:

• Online returns: Within 2 weeks
• Mailed paper returns: Within 12 weeks
• Non-resident returns: Within 16 weeks

Note that these timelines only apply when you file on time. Filing your taxes after the due date could slow things down.

What is a Notice of Assessment?

A Notice of Assessment, or NOA, is an official document from the CRA summarizing the key calculated amounts on your tax return, such as your total income tax paid for the year. It also shows key information, such as your personal RRSP deduction limit as well as whether you have a tax refund coming or a balance owing (or neither).

Once you've received your Notice of Assessment, you can expect any refund to be processed soon after.

TIP: Learn more about CRA notices and letters.

What's the fastest way to get a tax refund?

To get your tax refund as quickly as possible, do these 4 things:

1. File your taxes on time. The sooner you file, the sooner the CRA can issue your NOA and any refund.
2. File your taxes online, with NETFILE-certified tax software.
3. Set up direct deposit to your bank account in your CRA My Account so you don't have to wait for a cheque. According to the CRA, if you file your tax return online via NETFILE and you're signed up for direct deposit, you could receive your tax refund (if applicable) within 8 business days.
4. Keep your information up to date with the CRA, such as any address or banking changes. If you use CRA My Account, you can make these changes yourself.

What are common reasons tax refunds take longer?

There are a few reasons a tax refund might take longer to come through. Here are some to keep in mind:

• You're a first-time tax filer (the CRA must verify your SIN and other details).
• You mailed in a paper return or filed a non-resident return.
• You filed your taxes close to peak season or after the filing deadline.
• Your tax return has missing or mismatched information.
• Your tax return requires additional CRA review or benefit checks.
• You're filing a return with changes or adjustments, or a request for reassessment.

External factors that can affect tax refund timing

There are also some factors that are out of your or the CRA's control that might affect how quickly your tax return is processed. For example, Canada Post disruptions can delay mail, which matters if you file paper returns or receive documents and cheques by mail from the CRA. The CRA may also have processing backlogs, especially during peak tax season.

Reasons you might not receive your tax refund

Sometimes, even if your Notice of Assessment says you have a refund coming, the CRA won't release some or all of the amount to you. Reasons for this include:

• You owe the CRA money for something else.
• You have outstanding GST/HST returns from a small business.
• Your refund is $2 or less.
• You have applicable outstanding debt such as EI or CERB overpayment.
• You have a garnishment order under the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Act.

How do I check my tax refund status?

The CRA offers digital tools to help you track your tax refund and other information.

• CRA My Account: This free, secure online portal includes a progress tracker you can use to check in on your tax return, benefit application and other important information. (Learn how to open a CRA My Account.)
• CRA processing times tool: On the CRA's website, use the drop-down menus to select the type of return, filing option, and filing date (if you have it) to see an estimated time frame for your return to be processed.
• Email updates: If you've opted in for email updates, the CRA may notify you when you have mail in your CRA My Account or when changes are made to your account.

When should I contact the CRA?

If you're concerned your tax refund is taking longer to arrive than it should, you might want to contact the CRA to check in.

The CRA recommends waiting 12 weeks if you live in Canada or 16 weeks if you live elsewhere before contacting them to check your refund status. If it has been that long, you can get in touch with the CRA by phone.

Tax refunds take time

It can be frustrating to have to wait for your tax refund, but it's often just part of the process, not a sign something is wrong. Most of the time, you're just in a queue along with millions of other Canadians who also filed their taxes. Understanding the standard CRA processing time means you can worry less while you wait.