Once a return is filed, the next question is whether the CRA received and accepted it. NETFILE gives an immediate confirmation number, and CRA My Account shows each stage after that. This page explains the stages, the common rejection codes and what to do if a return seems stuck; it is part of the Dealing with the CRA directory.
Status stages for a Canadian tax return
After you file, your return moves through these stages in CRA’s system:
| Status in My Account | What it means |
|---|---|
| Not received | CRA has no record of a return for that year |
| Received | Return is on file, waiting to be assessed |
| In progress | Return is actively being reviewed |
| Assessed | Return is complete; NOA has been issued |
| Reassessed | CRA reviewed and changed something on your return |
Step-by-step: how to confirm your return was accepted
If you filed electronically (NETFILE)
Immediate confirmation: When you click “Submit” in your tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, StudioTax, Wealthsimple Tax, etc.), CRA sends back a confirmation number within a few seconds. Save or screenshot this number. It is your proof that the file was transmitted.
Rejection codes: If the return was rejected, you will see an error code instead of a confirmation number. You have not filed until you fix the error and resubmit.
In My Account: Log in at canada.ca/my-cra-account, open “Tax returns” and select the tax year (where each item sits is shown in the CRA My Account guide). Status will show as “Received” within 24–48 hours of a successful NETFILE submission.
If you filed by paper
CRA does not send an acknowledgement when a paper return is received. Check:
- Canada Post tracking if you sent it by registered mail
- CRA My Account after 8 weeks: if the return appears as “Received,” it has been entered into the system
If My Account shows no record of the return after 8 weeks, the CRA’s individual line can check (number and hours on the CRA contact information page).
NETFILE rejection codes and what they mean
The CRA and its certified tax software partners use numeric codes to explain why a NETFILE submission was rejected. The exact code numbering can vary by year and by which tax software you use, so the description shown alongside the code is more reliable than the number alone. A few of the most common ones:
| Code | Reason | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | NETFILE access code doesn’t match CRA’s records | Re-enter the access code from your prior-year NOA, or leave it blank and use your prior-year net income instead |
| 31 | Personal information (name, SIN, or date of birth) doesn’t match CRA’s records | Your name and SIN must exactly match your SIN card and CRA’s file; the CRA’s individual line (1-800-959-8281) can check if it still fails |
| 32 | First-time filer conflict | You indicated you’ve never filed a Canadian return before, but CRA has a return on file for you; this is corrected in your software |
Beyond these, rejections can also occur for a duplicate return already filed for that year (possible identity fraud, which the CRA needs to hear about), a missing spouse/common-law partner SIN, or other missing/invalid required fields. Your tax software will display the specific code and description the CRA returned, and the exact code is what the CRA’s agents ask for if the fix isn’t obvious. How NETFILE and paper filing compare is covered in NETFILE vs paper filing.
Once it is assessed
An “Assessed” status means the Notice of Assessment has been issued, with your refund (line 48400) or balance owing (line 48500), your RRSP deduction limit (explained in the guide to your RRSP room) and any carry-forward amounts. What each section means is covered in how to read your Notice of Assessment, and a balance on line 48500 is explained in how to know if you owe the CRA.
Comparing your return to the NOA
A line-by-line comparison of your filed return with the NOA shows what changed. Common differences and their explanations:
| Difference | Why it might happen |
|---|---|
| Lower refund than expected | CRA denied a deduction, applied a previous balance, or corrected an arithmetic error |
| Higher balance owing | CRA added income you did not report (employer T4 was filed; you omitted it) |
| RRSP room different | Your earned income was different from what you entered |
| Credits reduced | CRA requires a receipt or Form T2201 you did not attach |
If the CRA changed your return and you disagree, the route is an objection, covered in how to dispute a CRA assessment; a later change to a return already assessed is explained in why the CRA reassessed your taxes.
What to do if your return is stuck
If your return has been “Received” or “In progress” for more than:
- 4 weeks (NETFILE)
- 12 weeks (paper)
the CRA’s individual line at 1-800-959-8281 can say why. Some returns are held for manual review if:
- Prior year balance owing
- New filer (first return ever)
- Self-employment income claimed
- Significant changes from prior year
- CRA randomly flagged your return for audit
Being flagged for review does not mean you did anything wrong. The CRA may request supporting documents by mail; what those letters ask for is covered in what to do when you get a CRA audit letter.
Refunds after assessment
A refund is paid once the return is assessed, faster by direct deposit than by cheque. Typical timelines for each filing method are covered in how long it takes to get a tax refund, and the setup steps in how to set up CRA direct deposit.
Related CRA guides
- Registering for CRA My Account: to see the status online
- What happens if you don’t file your taxes: if a year shows “Not received”