CRA uncashed cheques are payments the Canada Revenue Agency has issued to you by mail that were never deposited. According to CRA, you can check for these unclaimed payments through the “Uncashed Cheques” feature in CRA My Account. There is no time limit on claiming money CRA owes you — even cheques from several years ago can be reissued. Common sources include tax refunds, GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefit payments, and reassessment adjustments.
Last updated: March 2025
What Are CRA Uncashed Cheques?
According to CRA, uncashed cheques are payments that were mailed to taxpayers but never deposited at a bank. CRA issues cheques for a variety of reasons:
- Tax refunds from your personal or corporate return
- GST/HST credits (quarterly payments)
- Canada Child Benefit payments
- Canada Workers Benefit
- Climate Action Incentive payments
- Reassessment adjustments where CRA determined they owed you money
- Interest on late refunds CRA paid after processing delays
According to the Government of Canada, billions of dollars in government cheques go uncashed each year across all federal departments. This happens when people move, when mail is lost, or when recipients simply forget to deposit the cheque.
How to Check for Uncashed CRA Cheques
Step 1: Log Into CRA My Account
Go to CRA My Account and sign in using one of the accepted methods:
- Sign-In Partner (your bank’s online banking credentials)
- CRA user ID and password
- BC Services Card app (for BC residents)
Step 2: Find the Uncashed Cheques Section
Once logged in, scroll down the right-hand side of your account overview page. According to CRA’s My Account interface, look for the link labeled “Uncashed Cheques”. Click on it.
Step 3: Review Your Cheques
You will see a list of any cheques CRA has issued to you that have not been cashed. Each entry shows:
- The date the cheque was issued
- The amount
- The type of payment (refund, benefit, credit, etc.)
What to Do If You Have Uncashed Cheques
Request a Replacement Cheque
According to CRA, cheques are generally valid for 12 months from the date of issue. After that, they become stale-dated and your bank will not cash them. To request a replacement:
- Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (individuals) or 1-800-959-5525 (businesses)
- Use the online request option in My Account if available
The money does not disappear after 12 months — CRA still holds it. You just need to request reissue.
Set Up Direct Deposit
According to CRA, the most reliable way to receive payments is direct deposit. You can set this up through:
- CRA My Account — go to “Manage direct deposit” in your account settings
- Your bank — most Canadian banks let you set up CRA direct deposit through online banking
- By phone — call CRA and request to set it up
Once direct deposit is active, all future payments from CRA go straight to your bank account — no more lost cheques.
Check Your Business Account Too
If you are incorporated or have a GST/HST account, do not forget to check CRA My Business Account as well. According to CRA, corporate tax refunds, GST/HST refunds, and other business-related payments may also be sitting as uncashed cheques.
Log into CRA My Business Account and look for the same “Uncashed Cheques” section.
How Much Could Be Sitting There?
Based on our experience working with Canadian business owners, we have seen clients discover anywhere from $50 to several thousand dollars in uncashed cheques. It is especially common for:
- People who moved during tax season
- Anyone who recently switched from cheques to direct deposit (the last cheque before the switch may have been missed)
- Business owners who receive both personal and corporate payments from CRA
- Anyone who filed an adjustment or appeal that resulted in a refund
It takes two minutes to check. Log into CRA My Account and see if you have money waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if CRA owes me money?
Log into CRA My Account at canada.ca and look for the “Uncashed Cheques” section on the right side of your account overview page. This shows any payments CRA has issued to you that were never cashed. There is no time limit on claiming these funds.
Do CRA cheques expire?
According to CRA, cheques become stale-dated after approximately 12 months and your bank will not accept them. However, the money does not disappear. Contact CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to request a replacement cheque or have the amount deposited directly to your bank account.
How do I set up direct deposit with CRA?
You can set up CRA direct deposit through CRA My Account (under “Manage direct deposit”), through your bank’s online banking platform, or by calling CRA directly. Once activated, all future tax refunds, benefit payments, and credits go directly to your bank account.
Should I check both my personal and business CRA accounts?
Yes. If you are incorporated or have a GST/HST account, check both CRA My Account (personal) and CRA My Business Account (business). Corporate tax refunds and GST/HST refunds are separate from personal tax refunds and may have uncashed cheques in either account.
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Need Help With Your CRA Account?
If you are having trouble accessing your CRA My Account or need help sorting out old balances, contact us. We deal with CRA on behalf of clients every day and can help you get any money you are owed.