CLIENT FAQs
When will I get my refund and Notice of Assessment? If you e-filed and are registered for direct deposit, the CRA’s target is to issue your refund within two weeks. For paper returns, the goal is eight weeks. Returns filed after the deadline may take longer.
How will I receive a Notice of Assessment? If you’re registered for My Account and have chosen to receive notices by email, the CRA will email you when your notice is ready. You can then sign in to My Account to view it, often within 24 hours of e-filing. If you are not registered for email delivery, the notice will be mailed to you, usually within 10 days. In some cases, you can get an Express Notice of Assessment through My Account immediately after e-filing.
How do I pay tax? Wait to receive a Notice of Assessment which will confirm the amount owing and include a remittance voucher. Then you can pay:
If you want to pay before your notice arrives, we can print you a remittance voucher (T7DR(A) from UFile).
What’s the penalty for late filing? If you file after April 30, the late-filing penalty is usually 5% of the balance owing, plus 1% for each full month the return is late, up to 12 months (maximum 17%). Even if you can’t pay right away, it’s important to file on time to avoid this penalty.
What interest might I be charged if I don’t pay tax owing? If your balance isn’t paid by April 30, interest starts accruing May 1 at the CRA’s prescribed rate, compounded daily. As of late 2024, the rate was 8% per year (about 0.02% per day).
What if I can’t pay? Call the CRA promptly to explain your situation. They may extend your payment deadline or set up a monthly payment plan. For more information, see canada.ca/cra-collections.
How do I get access to my CRA My Account online? You have to register for access if you haven’t already. To be eligible to register, you must have filed an income tax return for the current or prior tax year. There are different options to register including, as of 2025, a method that requires taking a photo of your id such as a driver’s license. Once registered, there are different options to get into My Account.
I’m locked out of My Account. Why? The CRA may disable your online account if they suspect unauthorized access. In such cases, they typically call or send a letter with instructions to verify your identity and restore access. Until verification is complete, they will pause any benefit or credit payments. Other issues can also lead to a lockout. Call the CRA for help, and be ready to confirm your identity—have your most recent tax return and your bank details (if you use direct deposit) on hand.
You can register for a new login if you are locked out or have forgotten your login information. This will allow you to regain access without needing to call the CRA for help.
If I have an outstanding debt owed to the CRA, will I receive my refund, the GST/HST credit, carbon rebate, and Trillium benefit? If you owe money to the CRA, or to some other federal or Ontario government department that has registered your debt with the CRA, the CRA may apply your refund or certain benefits (such as the GST/HST credit and Ontario Trillium Benefit) toward your debt. Child benefits are protected and will not be applied against debts (unless the debt relates to an overpayment of child benefits)..
How long do I have to keep receipts? Keep your tax-related receipts for six years after the end of the tax year. For example, receipts for the 2024 tax year (such as for medical expenses or rent) should be retained until the end of 2030.
How do I register or update my bank account for direct deposit if I don’t have access to my CRA account? You cannot do it by phone. You can do it through your bank app, if you have one, or you can visit your bank branch and make the request. Or you can mail a direct deposit enrolment form to the CRA, but it may take a long time for them to process it.
I didn’t receive benefits I expected (eg. GST/HST credit, Ontario trillium credit, child benefit), what should I do? Payments may have stopped if you didn’t file a return, respond to a CRA letter, inform the CRA of a change in your address, banking information, marital status, or child custody. Or payments could have been stopped because your spouse did not file a return or inform the CRA of a change in marital status or child custody. An explanation might be available in the ‘mail’ section of your CRA account. You can call CRA.