CRA has $1.4 billion in uncashed refunds – some of it could be yours
At a glance (1 minute read):
- Learn how to find out whether you or your clients have unclaimed Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) cheques.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) reported it has 8.9 million uncashed refund cheques sitting in an account, totaling $1.4 billion.
Each year, the CRA issues millions of payments in the form of refunds and benefits by direct deposit or by cheque.
Over time, payments can remain uncashed for various reasons. The taxpayer may have misplaced the cheque or changed addresses which resulted in no delivery.
Some of this money could belong to you or your clients. Here’s some information you can share:
Expect an email
The CRA will be notifying recipients of uncashed cheques by email, issuing approximately 25,000 e-notifications in August, 25,000 in November 2022, and 25,000 in May 2023.
Since the CRA launched an initiative in 2020 to get refunds to taxpayers, Canadians redeemed approximately two million uncashed cheques valued at $802 million between February 10, 2020, and May 31, 2022.
The average amount per uncashed cheque is $158.
You can see if you have an uncashed cheque dating as far back as 1998.
Do I have uncashed cheques?
There are two ways to find out if you have uncashed cheques.
If you have a My Account and log in, go to the “My Account” overview page look on the right hand side at the bottom and select “uncashed cheques.” Here you can see your uncashed cheques and collect unclaimed benefit and credit payments.
Or, if you’re not signed up for My Account or email notifications, you can check by calling 1-800-959-8281.
Did you know?
Government cheques never expire or stale date. The CRA can’t void the original cheque and re-issue a new one unless requested by the taxpayer.