I Filed My Taxes. Where’s My Refund? How to Track the CRA in 2026

There’s no feeling quite like hitting "submit" on your tax return. Once that weight is off your shoulders, the countdown begins. If you’re like most Canadians, your very next thought is: When does the cash hit my account?

For 2026, the CRA has gone digital-first, making it as easy to track your refund as it is to track a pizza delivery. But "received" doesn't mean "paid." Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 tax refund timeline.

The New CRA Progress Tracker

The CRA Progress Tracker is the latest upgrade inside your CRA My Account. Instead of the old, vague "Assessed" status, this tool gives you a visual play-by-play of your return.

How to use it:

Log in to your My Account and click the "Progress Tracker" link on the main page. You’ll see a step-by-step status bar showing exactly where your return is in the queue, along with a projected completion date.

2026 Timelines: How Long is the Wait?

Is it normal to wait 10 days for a direct deposit? Yes. While the CRA is faster than ever, your 2025 tax return (filed in 2026) depends entirely on how you sent it in.

Filing Method	Average Wait Time	Direct Deposit Arrival
Electronic (NETFILE/EFILE)	2 Weeks	~8 Business Days
Paper Returns	8 Weeks	10–12 Weeks
Returns Needing Review	4–6 Months	Variable

The "10-Day Rule": If you filed online and it’s been 10 days, don’t panic. The 8-day countdown for direct deposit only starts after the CRA officially assesses your return. There is always a small gap between clicking "submit" and the CRA actually opening the file.

The Notice of Assessment (NOA): Your Final Answer

Your tax software or your Tax Expert likely gave you an "estimated refund" the moment you finished. But is that number set in stone? Not yet.

Your Notice of Assessment (NOA) is the only official legal document. This is what the CRA issues after they’ve double-checked your math and verified your credits.

Why would my refund amount change?

Usually, the estimate is spot-on, but the CRA can adjust it for a few reasons:

• Government Offsets: If you owe money for a student loan or an old tax balance, the CRA will automatically take it out of your refund.

• Missing Slips: If the CRA has a T4 or T5 on file that you forgot to include, they’ll add it for you (and adjust the math).

• Math Errors: They may deny a specific credit if their records show you aren't eligible this year.

  
  

No "My Account"? No Problem.

If you're locked out of your online account or just don't have one, you can still get an update by phone. Use the CRA’s Automated Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) at 1-800-267-6999.

To get through the security check, have these ready:

1. Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).

2. Your Month and Year of birth.

3. The Total Income from Line 15000 of your 2025 return.