From Susan Munroe,
Your Guide to Canada Online.
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Update: 01/07/08

The Canada Revenue Agency does not start processing Canadian income tax returns until the middle of February. No matter how early you file your income tax return, you will not be able to get information on the status of an income tax refund until the middle of March. You should also wait until at least four weeks after you file your return before checking on the status of an income tax refund.

Processing Times for Tax Refunds

The length of time it takes the Canada Revenue Agency to process your income tax return and refund depends on how and when you file your return.

For income tax returns filed before April 15

• paper returns - four weeks
• TELEFILE, NETFILE or EFILE returns - two weeks

For income tax returns filed after April 15

• paper returns - six weeks
• TELEFILE, NETFILE or EFILE returns - two weeks

Information Required to Check on Your Tax Refund

To check on the status of your income tax refund you need to provide the following information:

• your Social Insurance Number
• the month and year of your birth
• the amount entered as Total Income on line 150 of your income tax return. (Before May 1, 2008 you'll need the amount entered on line 150 of your 2006 return. On or after May 1, 2008, you'll need the amount you entered on line 150 of your 2007 return.)

Check on Your Tax Refund Online

To check on the status of your income tax refund online, use the My Account tax service provided by the Canada Revenue Agency.

Please note that before you can access the My Account tax service for the first time, you must register for a Government of Canada epass. Once you register for the epass, it will take at least five business days for you to receive an activation code in the mail.

Check on Your Tax Refund by Automated Phone Service

You can also use the Telerefund service on the Tax Information Phone Service (T.I.P.S.) to find out if your return has been processed and when to expect your refund cheque. The Telerefund service on T.I.P.S. is available from mid-February until the end of December. The T.I.P.S phone number is
1-800-267-6999

Check on Your Tax Refund by Phone

Another way to check on the status of your Canadian income tax refund is to call the Refund Enquiries line at
1-800-959-1956