After you file, the main question is when the money arrives. The CRA gives targets, and they depend on how 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 refund take?
| 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 |
These times apply to returns filed by the deadline. Older CRA pages quoted 8 weeks for paper, and the newer ones say 12.
What can slow a refund down?
- The CRA picks the return for a 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- Your bank details or address are out of date.
- You filed after the deadline.
How do you check your status?
Sign in to your CRA account and look at the refund tracker. For a paper return, the CRA suggests waiting 12 weeks before you contact it, and 16 weeks if you live outside Canada. A reply to a CRA letter is covered by our CRA letters decoder, and a message that looks suspicious is covered by how to spot a CRA scam.
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 and Filing a paper tax return. 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.