Updated Checked by the Tax-Services.ca editorial team How we check
After you file, the CRA assesses your return, sends a notice of assessment and then pays any refund. How fast that happens depends mostly on whether you file online or on paper, and on whether direct deposit is set up before you file.
Short answer: About 2 weeks for a return filed online and about 12 weeks for a paper return, if you file on time. Direct deposit can bring the money in as little as 8 business days.
How long does a tax refund take in Canada?
| How you filed | Usual time |
|---|---|
| Online with certified software, and your return on time | The CRA aims to issue your notice of assessment within 2 weeks |
| Online with direct deposit | The refund can arrive in as little as 8 business days |
| Paper return | About 12 weeks for the 2026 season |
| Return filed from outside Canada | Within 16 weeks, per the CRA’s refund page |
These times apply to returns filed by the deadline. The CRA’s refund page says processing times apply only if it receives your return on or before the filing due date. Older CRA pages quoted 8 weeks for paper, and the newer ones say 12. The CRA’s processing-times page sets a service standard of 4 weeks for electronic returns and 8 weeks for paper, for 95% of returns, and calls all of these targets.
What can slow a refund down?
- The CRA picks the return for a more detailed review and asks for receipts or other documents.
- A slip is missing or does not match what the CRA has on file.
- Your bank details or address are out of date. If direct deposit is not set up before you file, the CRA mails a cheque to the address it has, and the cheque can come back if you moved.
- You filed after the deadline or filed several years at once.
Can the CRA keep part of your refund?
Yes. If you owe another government debt, the CRA may keep all or part of the refund to put toward it. Generally, no refund is paid when the amount is $2 or less. If you overpaid, the CRA may also pay compound daily interest on the refund, and that interest does not start until at least 30 days after you filed.
How do you check your refund status?
Sign in to your CRA account to see the status of your return, the refund amount and your notice of assessment. A status only shows once the CRA has finished assessing the return. For a paper return, the CRA says it is usually processed within 12 weeks. A reply to a CRA letter is covered by our CRA letters decoder, a message that looks suspicious by how to spot a CRA scam, and a wrong assessment by how to fix a mistake on your return.
Can you estimate your refund?
Yes. Try the tax refund calculator. It is an estimate for planning only.
Where does this information come from?
The timelines come from the Canada Revenue Agency pages Tax refunds, Filing a paper tax return, Check CRA processing times and a 2026 CRA tax tip on direct deposit. Checked in October 2026. This is an independent information site: we provide no services, we do not represent the CRA or any organization, and we do not guarantee that anything here is accurate or current. We accept no liability for decisions based on it. Check the official source before you rely on it. See the full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a tax refund in Canada?
The CRA aims to deliver a refund within 2 weeks for a return filed online, as long as it arrives by the filing deadline. With direct deposit, the refund can arrive in as little as 8 business days. Reviews and missing information can add time.
How long does a paper tax return take to process?
The CRA's page on filing a paper return says paper returns are usually processed within 12 weeks, and the notice of assessment and any refund follow the same timeline. Another CRA page lists 8 weeks as a service standard, so allow for the longer time.
Why is my tax refund taking so long?
Common reasons are a detailed review, a request for more documents, a slip that does not match CRA records, a late filing, out-of-date bank or address details, or a return for several years at once. Check your status in your CRA account.
Can the CRA keep my tax refund?
Yes. If you owe another government debt, the CRA may keep all or part of your refund to put toward it. Generally, a refund of $2 or less is not paid. Check your notice of assessment to see how the refund was calculated.
How can I get my tax refund faster?
File online with certified software, sign up for direct deposit before you file and make sure your bank details and address are current. The CRA says electronic returns filed on time are generally processed within 2 weeks, and direct deposit is its fastest payment method.