How long does it take to get an income tax refund?

General information, not tax advice. Revenu Québec aims for you to receive your refund within 14 days if your return is sent by Internet, and within 28 days if it is sent by mail. For the federal return, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) aims for 2 weeks for a return filed online and 8 weeks for a paper return. These are target times: a return selected for a more detailed review can take longer. Both agencies also say how long to wait before contacting them about your refund.

Key facts

Revenu Québec (Internet)

Target time: 14 days.

Revenu Québec (mail)

Target time: 28 days.

CRA (online / paper)

Goal: 2 weeks online, 8 weeks on paper. A more detailed review can add time.

When to contact the agency

Revenu Québec: wait until the beginning of April (or four weeks if the return is sent after March 31). CRA: wait 12 weeks if you live in Canada, 16 weeks outside Canada.

Small amounts

Revenu Québec makes no refund of less than $2. The CRA may keep a refund of $2 or less.

Tracking

Mon dossier pour les citoyens and the Info-remboursement service (Revenu Québec); My Account and the Progress tracker (CRA).

Steps

1. For Québec, note the target times from Revenu Québec: 14 days if your return is sent by Internet, 28 days if it is sent by mail.
2. For the federal return, note the CRA targets: 2 weeks for a return filed online, 8 weeks for a paper return.
3. Know that Revenu Québec starts processing returns at the beginning of March. It asks you to wait until the beginning of April before contacting it, even if the return was filed in January.
4. If your return is sent after March 31, Revenu Québec asks you to wait four weeks before calling.
5. For the CRA, wait 12 weeks before contacting it if you live in Canada (16 weeks if you live outside Canada).
6. To follow your file, use the online service in Mon dossier pour les citoyens (Revenu Québec) or the CRA's My Account.
7. If you are registered for direct deposit, Revenu Québec can deposit the refund directly into your account.

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.