Canada Tax and Benefits Portal Guide
CRA My Account Guide: How to Track Your Canadian Tax Returns and Benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides an official online service called My Account for individuals to access personal income tax and benefit information. You can use it to check your tax return status, view your Notice of Assessment, track eligible refunds, review benefit payments, update personal information and manage other tax-related services.
Whether you are a Canadian resident, employee, student, pensioner or eligible benefit recipient, the portal can help you manage your tax information without relying entirely on telephone or postal correspondence.
Official portal: Sign in to your CRA account
What Is CRA My Account?
CRA My Account is a secure online service operated by the Canada Revenue Agency. It lets individuals view and manage personal income tax, refund and benefit information in one place.
Depending on your access level and eligibility, the portal can help you:
- Check whether a tax return has been received, assessed or processed.
- Track a tax refund and review relevant account information.
- View your Notice of Assessment or Notice of Reassessment.
- Check tax balances, payment information and previous returns.
- Review eligible benefit and credit payments.
- Update your address, telephone number and direct deposit information.
- Access available tax slips and other documents.
- Submit documents, manage authorized representatives and use other available online services.
The services displayed may depend on your identity verification status, account eligibility and the type of request you have submitted.
Official CRA guide: About CRA My Account
How to Register for CRA My Account
Before accessing your personal tax information, you need to register or sign in using an accepted credential. Eligibility and identity verification requirements apply.
- Open the official CRA sign-in page: Start from Canada.ca and choose the CRA account sign-in option.
- Choose a sign-in method: Depending on availability, you may be able to use a CRA user ID and password or a Sign-In Partner such as a participating financial institution.
- Provide the requested details: Registration may require your Social Insurance Number (SIN), date of birth, information from a recent assessed tax return and other identifying details.
- Complete identity verification: Follow the instructions for the document verification service or CRA security code, as applicable.
- Set up security features: Complete the required multi-factor authentication or other security steps.
- Open My Account: Once access is established, review your tax returns, benefits and available account services.
CRA account registration eligibility generally requires a SIN and a filed and assessed income tax and benefit return from the current or a previous tax year. If you are a new resident who has not yet filed an eligible return, you may not be able to obtain full online access immediately.
Register or sign in: CRA Account Login
Identity verification help: Verify Your Identity with CRA
How to Track Your Canadian Tax Return
After submitting your Canadian income tax and benefit return, you can use CRA My Account to review its status. Processing times depend on the filing method, the type of return and whether the CRA needs additional information.
- Sign in through the official CRA account page.
- Select your individual account.
- Open the tax returns section or the Progress tracker on the Overview page, where available.
- Look for the tax year and the return or request you submitted.
- Review the current status, progress history and any target completion date shown.
- Check for a Notice of Assessment, a request for additional documents or other messages.
The CRA Progress tracker can show eligible files such as T1 tax returns, T1 adjustment requests, Canada Child Benefit applications, Disability Tax Credit applications, objections and certain other requests. It generally displays files that are in progress or were completed in the past 30 days.
Official Progress tracker: Track CRA Files and Enquiries
Understanding CRA Tax Return Statuses
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Received | The CRA has received your return, but it has not yet been assessed. | Check again later and review any CRA messages. |
| In process | The return is being processed or assessed. | Monitor the account for further updates or requests. |
| Assessed | The CRA has assessed the return. | Review the Notice of Assessment and refund or balance information. |
| Completed | A tracked file or request has been completed. | Review the outcome and any instructions from the CRA. |
| Not received | The status tool does not show that the return has been received, or the status may not yet have updated. | Verify your filing confirmation and check CRA guidance before submitting another return. |
The exact status labels can vary by service. A missing or unchanged status does not always mean the return has been lost. Use your filing confirmation and the CRA processing-time tool to determine the next step.
Official processing-time tool: Check CRA Processing Times
How to Check Your Canadian Tax Refund
If your return results in a refund, CRA My Account can help you check the return status and available refund information. The date you receive a refund depends on factors such as how you filed and whether additional review is required.
- Sign in to CRA My Account.
- Open your tax return information or the Progress tracker.
- Check whether the return has been assessed.
- Review your Notice of Assessment and account balance.
- Verify your direct deposit details if you expect an electronic payment.
- Check whether the CRA has requested additional information or applied the refund against an eligible outstanding debt.
The CRA may keep all or part of a refund to cover certain outstanding federal, provincial or territorial debts, subject to applicable rules. A refund amount shown on a return is not necessarily the amount that will be deposited.
How long does a refund take?
For on-time individual returns covered by its standard service targets, the CRA aims to issue a Notice of Assessment within two weeks for digitally filed returns and within 12 weeks for paper returns. Some cases, including certain international, non-resident, emigrant or more complex returns, are excluded from these standards or can take longer.
If you live outside Canada, the CRA advises waiting 16 weeks before contacting it about an individual refund status in the circumstances covered by its refund guidance. Check your account and the current processing-time tool first.
Official refund guidance: Check Your Tax Refund
How to View Your Notice of Assessment
A Notice of Assessment (NOA) is an official CRA document issued after it assesses your tax return. It explains the result of the assessment and may show your refund, balance owing, changes made to the return and other important details.
To view it online:
- Sign in to CRA My Account.
- Open the tax returns section.
- Select the relevant tax year.
- Open the Notice of Assessment or Notice of Reassessment when available.
- Save or print the document for your records.
From February 2026, the CRA states that digital Notices of Assessment and Reassessment are available through My Account after the CRA receives and processes the return. Check your account for the latest available version rather than relying only on a mailed copy.
Read the document carefully. If the CRA changed an amount or you disagree with the assessment, follow the instructions and deadlines provided by the CRA.
Official account information: Services Available in My Account
How to Track Canadian Government Benefits
Eligible individuals can use CRA My Account to review information about certain tax credits and benefit payments. Availability depends on the specific program and your eligibility.
| Benefit or Credit | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Canada Child Benefit (CCB) | Eligible payment details, account information and relevant application updates. |
| GST/HST credit and related credit information | Payment details and eligibility-related information shown in the account. |
| Disability Tax Credit (DTC) | Application progress and available status updates. |
| Other eligible tax credits and benefits | Available payment, application and correspondence information for the relevant program. |
Not every federal or provincial benefit is administered by the CRA. For example, Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan services are generally accessed through Service Canada. Use the relevant official portal for those programs.
Official CRA information: Canada Child Benefit
Government account directory: Find the Correct Government Account
How to Update Your Address and Direct Deposit
Keeping your personal information current can help you receive CRA correspondence and eligible payments without unnecessary delays.
- Sign in to CRA My Account.
- Open your profile or personal information settings.
- Choose the available option for your address, telephone number or direct deposit.
- Enter the updated information and review it carefully.
- Submit the change and keep any confirmation provided.
If you cannot use the online service, consult the CRA instructions for alternative ways to update your information. Some changes may require additional verification or separate contact with the relevant program.
Never provide your banking credentials, passwords or security codes to someone claiming they can update your CRA account for you.
What to Do if Your Tax Return Is Delayed
If your return has not been assessed or your refund has not arrived, take these steps before submitting another return or contacting the CRA.
- Confirm that you received an electronic filing confirmation or have evidence of postal delivery.
- Check your CRA account for the current return status.
- Use the CRA processing-time tool for the correct filing method and type of return.
- Read messages and requests for supporting documents in your account.
- Check whether the CRA has issued an assessment or applied your refund against an eligible debt.
- If the published waiting period has passed, contact the CRA through its official contact options.
The Progress tracker may show a target completion date, but it is an estimate based on service standards rather than a guaranteed payment date. More complex cases and requests for additional information can take longer.
Official processing tool: Check CRA Processing Times
How to Protect Your CRA Account
- Always begin from the official Canada.ca website.
- Check the website address before entering your SIN, banking information or password.
- Use a strong, unique password and enable the security options offered by the CRA.
- Do not share multi-factor authentication codes or security codes.
- Avoid accessing your account on a shared computer or an unsecured network.
- Sign out after using a shared or public device.
- Review account information and notification preferences regularly.
- Be cautious of unexpected emails, texts or calls claiming that you must pay immediately to receive a refund.
If a message claims you owe tax or promises an unexpected benefit, verify the information by signing in independently to the official CRA account. Do not use suspicious links or provide credentials in response to unsolicited requests.
Official account security guidance: CRA Sign-In Services and Account Help
CRA My Account vs Other Canadian Government Accounts
Canada has several government portals. Using the correct service helps you avoid looking for tax information in an unrelated account.
| Portal | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| CRA My Account | Personal income tax, tax refunds, tax documents and eligible CRA benefits. |
| CRA My Business Account | Business tax matters, payroll, GST/HST and other business account services. |
| Represent a Client | Authorized representatives accessing tax information for clients. |
| My Service Canada Account | Services such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and other Service Canada programs. |
Official directory: Sign In to a Government of Canada Online Account
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I check my Canadian tax return status online?
Sign in to CRA My Account, select your individual account and review the tax return section or Progress tracker. The available status may show whether your return has been received, is in process or has been assessed.
2. How can I check my CRA refund?
Use the refund and return information in CRA My Account. Review your Notice of Assessment and account balance, and check your direct deposit details if you are expecting an electronic payment.
3. How long does a Canadian tax refund take?
The CRA aims to issue a Notice of Assessment within two weeks for eligible on-time digitally filed returns and within 12 weeks for eligible on-time paper returns. Actual processing can take longer, and some types of returns are excluded from these service standards.
4. Can I access CRA My Account without a completed identity verification?
Limited access may be available for certain services, including viewing return status and some tax information. Full access requires completing the applicable identity verification steps.
5. Can I check Canada Child Benefit payments in CRA My Account?
Eligible users can view Canada Child Benefit information and payment details through the CRA services available to them. Eligibility and payment amounts depend on the program rules and individual circumstances.
6. What is a Notice of Assessment?
A Notice of Assessment is the official CRA document showing the result of an assessed tax return. It can include a refund, balance owing, adjustments and other tax information.
7. What should I do if CRA My Account shows no tax return?
Check your filing confirmation and the processing-time guidance. The account status may not have updated yet. Do not automatically file a duplicate return; verify the situation using official CRA instructions.
8. Is CRA My Account the same as My Service Canada Account?
No. CRA My Account manages personal tax and eligible CRA benefit information. My Service Canada Account is used for services such as Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan.
