How long does a tax refund take to arrive after filing in Ontario?

The CRA processes most electronically filed returns and issues refunds within two weeks, provided there are no issues requiring manual review. Paper returns take significantly longer — typically eight weeks or more. Ontario residents use the same CRA system as all Canadians, and refund timelines are the same regardless of province.

Setting up direct deposit with the CRA is the fastest way to receive your refund — money is deposited directly to your bank account, usually within days of the return being assessed. You can set up or update direct deposit through the CRA's My Account online portal or by completing the relevant section on your paper T1 return.

If your refund takes longer than the typical timeline, you can check the status using the CRA's My Account portal or its automated phone service (Telerefund). The CRA may hold your refund if your account has a balance owing from a prior year, outstanding CRA program repayments (such as CERB repayment), or if the return is selected for review. Refunds are not paid with interest if processed within standard timelines; however, if the CRA takes an unusually long time after the normal period, refund interest may apply.