The CRA is holding more than $1.8 billion in unclaimed refunds and uncashed cheques (roughly 10.8 million cheques, as of mid-2026): money that belongs to Canadians who never received or deposited their payments. A move, mail problems or a lost government cheque are the usual reasons. This page covers finding and claiming them; it is part of the Dealing with the CRA directory.
Why CRA has unclaimed money
CRA issues billions of dollars in refunds, benefit payments, and credits each year. When a payment is not deposited, it becomes an “uncashed cheque” in CRA’s records. This happens for many reasons:
- The cheque was mailed to an old address after a move
- The envelope was lost in the mail or discarded accidentally
- A benefit or credit cheque arrived unexpectedly and was set aside
- A person passed away and the estate was not aware of outstanding payments
- An account holder moved abroad and did not think to follow up
Common types of unclaimed CRA money:
- Income tax refunds
- GST/HST credit payments
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments
- Canada Carbon Rebate / CAIP payments issued before the program ended in early 2025 (formerly Climate Action Incentive)
- Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) payments
- Disability Tax Credit refunds
- RRSP contribution room-related adjustments
How to search for CRA unclaimed cheques
Through CRA My Account
- Log in to CRA My Account (canada.ca/my-account)
- Go to the “Tax Returns” tab
- Look for “Uncashed Cheques” in the left menu
If CRA is holding any uncashed amounts, you will see them listed with the date and amount of each cheque.
By phone
Call the CRA’s individual line at 1-800-959-8281 (hours on the CRA contact information page) and ask the agent to check whether there are any uncashed cheques on your account. You will need to pass identity verification.
How to claim your uncashed cheques
If you find uncashed cheques, here is how to get the money:
Step 1: Direct deposit first
With direct deposit set up through My Account before the replacement is requested, the CRA deposits the replacement payment directly to your bank account, with no cheque to lose again. The steps are in how to set up CRA direct deposit.
Step 2: Request a replacement payment
In My Account under “Uncashed Cheques,” there is a button to request a replacement. Alternatively, call 1-800-959-8281 and ask a CRA agent to reissue the payment.
Step 3: Identity verification
If the amount is large or your information has changed, CRA may ask you to confirm your identity. Be ready to provide your SIN, date of birth, current address, and recent tax return information.
Processing time
Replacement cheques (or direct deposits) typically arrive within 4 to 8 weeks of the request being processed.
Whose cheques go uncashed
According to CRA data, uncashed cheques are disproportionately from:
- Recent immigrants and people who moved internationally: cheques mailed to Canadian addresses while the recipient was abroad
- Seniors, who may not have updated banking information or were unaware of benefit entitlements
- Young adults, who may have moved frequently and missed forwarded mail
- Estates: refunds and credits issued after a person’s death where the estate is unaware
Unclaimed bank balances and provincial programs
Separately from the CRA, the Bank of Canada holds dormant balances that banks and trust companies transferred after years of inactivity, and several provinces run their own unclaimed property programs. How to search both, and how to claim, is covered in the guide to unclaimed bank balances in Canada.
Avoid scams
CRA will never:
- Call or email you claiming to have unclaimed money you must act on immediately
- Ask you to verify your banking details by phone to receive a refund
- Demand gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to release money owed to you
A call or email claiming the CRA is holding money for you and asking for personal information is a scam; your own information is in CRA My Account or available on the official number above. The CRA’s other scam warnings are on the My Account guide.
Related resources
- Changing your address with the CRA: so future payments reach you
- Identifying a CRA deposit: once a replacement payment arrives