How do I know if CRA received my tax return?

If you filed by NETFILE, your tax software shows a confirmation number immediately after submission — this confirms CRA received the file. You can also log into CRA My Account and check "Tax return status" under the "Tax returns" section. If the return has been received but not yet assessed, the status shows "Received." Once assessed, it shows "Assessed" with your Notice of Assessment available to view.

How long does it take CRA to process and accept a tax return?

NETFILE returns (filed electronically) are typically assessed within 2 weeks. Paper returns take 8 weeks or longer. During peak season (March–April), electronic processing can stretch to 3–4 weeks. You can check the processing time on the CRA website under "Check CRA processing times." If your return has not been assessed within the normal window, call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to confirm the status.

What does the status "Received" mean in CRA My Account?

"Received" means CRA has your return on file but has not finished assessing it. The return is in the processing queue. No action is needed on your part unless CRA sends you a letter requesting more information. The status will change to "Assessed" once CRA finishes reviewing it and a Notice of Assessment is issued.

What does it mean if my NETFILE return was rejected?

A rejection code from NETFILE means CRA did not accept the file — the return was not submitted. Common rejection reasons include: SIN mismatch, name mismatch with CRA records, date of birth mismatch, or a return already filed for that year (possible identity fraud). Your tax software will show the rejection code and usually a description. Fix the flagged issue and resubmit, or call CRA if you suspect your SIN has been compromised.

What if my Notice of Assessment is different from what I filed?

CRA sometimes changes figures when assessing your return — this is called a reassessment. Review the NOA line-by-line and compare it to what you filed. If CRA disallowed a deduction or credit, the NOA explanation will say why. If you disagree, file a T1 Adjustment (T1-ADJ) through My Account or by mail, or file a Notice of Objection within 90 days of the NOA date.

Can I check my refund status before the return is fully assessed?

No — CRA does not provide a refund date until the return is assessed and a Notice of Assessment is generated showing the refund amount. Once assessed, refunds are typically issued within 2 weeks for direct deposit and 6–8 weeks for cheques. Set up direct deposit in My Account for faster refunds.

What if CRA has no record of my tax return?

If you filed by NETFILE and My Account shows no record, check your confirmation number in the software. If you have a confirmation number, the return was sent — give it another week and check again. If you have no confirmation number, the return may not have submitted properly; try resubmitting. If you filed by paper more than 12 weeks ago and there is no record, call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to request a trace.

How Do I Know If My Tax Return Was Accepted by CRA?

Filing your taxes is only step one — confirming CRA actually received and processed your return is step two. Here is exactly how to check each stage.

If your return is accepted, track status in how to use CRA My Account and then review your Notice of Assessment. If CRA shows a payable or later change, move to how do I know if I owe CRA money and why did CRA reassess my taxes.

Status stages for a Canadian tax return

After you file, your return moves through these stages in CRA’s system:

Status in My Account	What it means
Not received	CRA has no record of a return for that year
Received	Return is on file, waiting to be assessed
In progress	Return is actively being reviewed
Assessed	Return is complete; NOA has been issued
Reassessed	CRA reviewed and changed something on your return

Step-by-step: how to confirm your return was accepted

If you filed electronically (NETFILE)

Immediate confirmation: When you click “Submit” in your tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, StudioTax, Wealthsimple Tax, etc.), CRA sends back a confirmation number within a few seconds. Save or screenshot this number. It is your proof that the file was transmitted.

Rejection codes: If the return was rejected, you will see an error code instead of a confirmation number. You have not filed until you fix the error and resubmit.

In My Account: Log in at canada.ca/my-cra-account → “Tax returns” → select the tax year. Status will show as “Received” within 24–48 hours of a successful NETFILE submission.

If you filed by paper

CRA does not send an acknowledgement when a paper return is received. Check:

Canada Post tracking if you sent it by registered mail
CRA My Account after 8 weeks — if the return appears as “Received,” it has been entered into the system

If My Account shows no record after 8 weeks, call CRA to inquire.

NETFILE rejection codes and what they mean

Code	Reason	What to do
022	SIN mismatch	Verify your SIN matches what CRA has on file
031	Name mismatch	Ensure your legal name matches your CRA profile exactly
032	Date of birth mismatch	Correct your birth date in the software
035	Return already filed for that year	If you did not file a duplicate, call CRA — possible fraud
058	Missing or invalid entry	A required field is blank or invalid — review your return entries
155	Spouse/common-law partner SIN required	If you have a partner, their SIN must be included
90311	Prior year information mismatch	Prior year net income used for carryforward does not match CRA records

What your Notice of Assessment tells you

Once assessed, CRA sends a Notice of Assessment (NOA). Key information to check:

Balance summary:

Line 48400 — Refund amount (positive = CRA owes you)
Line 48500 — Balance owing (positive = you owe CRA)
Line 48100 — Net federal tax assessed

RRSP:

Your RRSP deduction limit for next year (based on 18% of this year’s earned income)
Any unused contribution room carried forward

Carryforward amounts:

Unused tuition credits transferred or carried forward
Capital loss carryforward
Business loss carryforward

Dates:

Assessment date — the official date CRA considered your return complete
Payment due date — if you owe a balance, this shows the deadline (usually April 30)

Comparing your return to the NOA

Print your filed return and compare it line-by-line to the NOA. Common differences and their explanations:

Difference	Why it might happen
Lower refund than expected	CRA denied a deduction, applied a previous balance, or corrected an arithmetic error
Higher balance owing	CRA added income you did not report (employer T4 was filed; you omitted it)
RRSP room different	Your earned income was different from what you entered
Credits reduced	CRA requires a receipt or Form T2201 you did not attach

What to do if your return is stuck

If your return has been “Received” or “In progress” for more than:

4 weeks (NETFILE)
12 weeks (paper)

Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281. Some returns are held for manual review if:

Prior year balance owing
New filer (first return ever)
Self-employment income claimed
Significant changes from prior year
CRA randomly flagged your return for audit

Being flagged for review does not mean you did anything wrong. CRA may request supporting documents by mail.

Set up direct deposit to get refunds faster

If you are owed a refund, direct deposit delivers it in 5–8 days after assessment. Without direct deposit, a cheque takes 4–8 weeks.

Set up direct deposit in My Account → “Direct deposit” using your bank account number and institution/transit numbers (found on a void cheque or in your banking app).