You claim a Canadian tax refund by filing a tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency, either on paper or through certified tax software

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not automatically send you money back. You must file a tax return — even if you had no income or your employer already withheld tax — to tell the CRA what you earned and what you paid. If you paid more tax than you owed, the CRA calculates the difference and sends it to you. If you paid less, you owe the difference.

Most people file between January 2 and June 15 each year. The important date to file is June 15 of the year after the tax year ends (so June 15, 2025 for the 2024 tax year). If you owe money, you still have until June 15 to file, but interest starts on June 16. If you are owed a refund, filing earlier means the money reaches your account sooner — typically within two to eight weeks of the CRA receiving your return.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file a tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency to claim a refund, even if no tax was withheld from your pay.
  • The important date to file is June 15 of the year after the tax year ends, but filing earlier gets your refund faster.
  • You can file on paper using Form T1 General, through certified tax software, or by phone if you are over 65 or have a straightforward return.
  • The CRA deposits refunds directly to your bank account if you provided banking details on your return; otherwise they mail a cheque.
  • You can check the status of your refund online through My Account or by calling the CRA, usually within two weeks of filing.

What documents you need before you file

Gather your T4 slips (from employers), T4A slips (from pensions or other income), receipts for deductible expenses, and proof of any credits you claim — such as tuition receipts, childcare invoices, or medical expense records. If you are self-employed, you also need records of income and business expenses for the year.

You do not need to send these documents to the CRA when you file. Keep them at home for at least six years in case the CRA asks to see them. If you are missing a T4 or T4A by the end of February, contact your employer or the organization that paid you — they are required to issue it by that date.

Filing on paper versus online

The fastest route is certified tax software. You enter your information, the software calculates your refund, and you submit it electronically to the CRA. The CRA receives it when ready and processes it within days. Popular certified software includes StudioTax (free), UFile, TurboTax, and WealthSimple Tax. All of these are approved by the CRA and produce the same result.

You can also file on paper using Form T1 General, which you mail to the CRA address listed on the form. Paper returns take longer — the CRA must receive it, open it, scan it, and enter the data, which can add two to three weeks to processing time.

If you are 65 or older or have a straightforward return with only employment income, you can file by phone through the CRA's Community Volunteer Program. A trained volunteer calls you, asks questions about your income and deductions, and files the return for you at no cost. You can find a volunteer through the CRA website.

How to submit your return to the CRA

If you are using certified software, the software walks you through each step. You enter your personal information, income, deductions, and credits. At the end, you review the summary, sign it (electronically or by hand if printing), and submit. The software either sends it directly to the CRA or gives you a file to upload to the CRA's portal.

If you are filing on paper, print Form T1 General, fill it out by hand or on a computer, sign it, and mail it to the address shown on the form. Include any supporting schedules (such as Schedule 1 for federal tax calculation) and keep a copy for your records.

Do not mail your T4 slips or receipts — the CRA already has your T4 information from your employer, and they will ask for receipts only if they review your return.

Banking information and how the CRA sends your refund

When you file, you can provide your bank account number and transit number so the CRA deposits your refund directly. This is the fastest method — direct deposit usually arrives within two to eight weeks. You can find your transit and account numbers on a blank cheque or by logging into your online banking.

If you do not provide banking details, the CRA mails a cheque to your address on file. A mailed cheque takes longer and can be lost in the mail. You can update your banking information anytime through My Account or by calling the CRA.

Tracking your refund after you file

You can check the status of your refund online through My Account, the CRA's find portal. Log in with your Social Insurance Number and password, and you will see the status of your return and the expected refund amount. The CRA usually updates this information within two weeks of receiving your return.

You can also call the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 (English) or 1-800-959-7383 (French) and provide your Social Insurance Number. They will tell you whether your return has been received, whether it is being processed, and when your refund is expected.

If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, check My Account first to confirm the CRA has your correct banking details. If the information is correct and the refund is still delayed, call the CRA to investigate.

What happens if you made a mistake on your return

If you filed and then realized you missed income, forgot a deduction, or made a calculation error, you can file an amended return. Use Form T1 Adjustment Request and mail it to the CRA with an explanation of what changed. The CRA will recalculate your refund or reassess what you owe.

You have up to ten calendar years from the end of the tax year to file an adjustment. For example, if you filed your 2024 return in 2025, you can request changes until the end of 2035. If the change results in a larger refund, the CRA will send it to you. If it results in money owed, you will receive a bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my refund after I file?

If you file electronically through certified software, the CRA usually processes your return within two to eight weeks and deposits the refund directly to your bank account. Paper returns take longer because the CRA must receive, scan, and manually enter the data — typically four to twelve weeks. Direct deposit is faster than a mailed cheque.

Do I have to file a return if I had no income?

If you had no income but paid tax through payroll deductions or had tax withheld from other sources, you should file to claim that refund. You may also be may have access to to credits like the Canada Child Benefit or the Goods and Services Tax Credit, which require you to file a return to receive them.

What if I lost my T4 slip?

Contact your employer and ask them to issue a duplicate. Employers are required to provide T4 slips by the end of February. If your employer is no longer in business or will not respond, you can file your return with the income amount you remember and contact the CRA afterward — they have a copy from your employer's records.

Can I claim a refund for a year I did not file?

Yes. You can file a return for any previous year, even if it is several years late. The CRA will calculate your refund based on the tax rules that applied that year. However, if you owe money instead, interest and penalties will explore from the original due date.

What if the CRA says I owe money instead of getting a refund?

The CRA will send you a notice of assessment showing what you owe and the due date to pay. You can pay online through My Account, by phone, by mail, or through your bank. If you cannot pay in full, you can contact the CRA to set up a payment arrangement.