CRA is sitting on more than 10 million uncashed cheques worth close to $1.9 billion, and some of them go back to the 1990s. The average cheque is under $200, but some are a lot bigger. Old tax refunds, GST credits, Canada Child Benefit payments, the old climate action rebate… a lot of it just never got cashed. Takes two minutes to check. Let’s do it.
On this page
- How to Check for Uncashed CRA Cheques
- What Counts as an Uncashed CRA Cheque
- How to Check in CRA My Account: Step by Step
- How to Claim the Money and Switch to Direct Deposit
- Can You Still Cash an Old Government of Canada Cheque?
- Lost, Stolen or Damaged Cheques: How to Get a Replacement
- Uncashed Cheques for a Deceased Person or an Estate
- Uncashed Cheques for a Business
- How Long It Takes to Receive the Money
- Avoid Scams: How CRA Will and Won’t Contact You
- FAQ: Uncashed CRA Cheques
- Get Help with Your CRA Account and Missed Refunds
How to Check for Uncashed CRA Cheques
Sign in to CRA My Account, and on the Overview page (or under “Accounts and payments”) click “Uncashed cheques.” If you have any, download the pre-filled form (PWGSC 535), sign it and send it in, and CRA will reissue the payment. Government of Canada cheques never expire, so even very old ones can be claimed. No My Account? Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281.
What Counts as an Uncashed CRA Cheque
Any payment CRA mailed to you that was never deposited, such as:
- Income tax refunds
- GST/HST credit payments
- Canada Child Benefit
- Former Canada Carbon Rebate (climate action incentive) payments
- Some provincial benefit payments CRA administers
- Business refunds (GST/HST, corporate tax, payroll)
The online tool shows personal cheques more than six months old. For business cheques, trust cheques, or anything newer than six months, you’ll need to call.
How to Check in CRA My Account: Step by Step
- Sign in to CRA My Account (bank sign-in partner, CRA user ID, or BC Services Card).
- On the Overview page, find “Uncashed cheques.” (It may also be under “Accounts and payments.”)
- Review the list. You’ll see the date, amount and payment type.
- For each cheque, download and print form PWGSC 535 (Undertaking and Indemnity). It’s pre-filled.
- Sign and send it as instructed on the form.
If someone handles your taxes, your representative can check the same thing through Represent a Client.
How to Claim the Money and Switch to Direct Deposit
- Once CRA processes your form, the payment is reissued.
- If you’re signed up for direct deposit, it goes straight into your bank account.
- If not, a new cheque is mailed to the address CRA has on file, so update your address first.
Honestly, set up direct deposit while you’re logged in. It’s the single best way to never have this problem again.
Heads-up: if you owe CRA money (or another government debt), part or all of the reissued payment can be applied to that debt first.
Can You Still Cash an Old Government of Canada Cheque?
Yes. If you find the actual paper cheque in a drawer, you can cash or deposit it at any Canadian financial institution, free of charge, no matter how old it is. Government of Canada cheques don’t stale-date.
If the cheque is damaged or you can’t find it, use the replacement process below.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged Cheques: How to Get a Replacement
| Situation | What to do |
| Lost or damaged, more than 6 months old | Use My Account and form PWGSC 535 |
| Newer than 6 months | Call CRA |
| Stolen | Call CRA. Stolen cheques must be reported by phone |
| Never received it at all | Check My Account first, then call |
Uncashed Cheques for a Deceased Person or an Estate
Uncashed cheques belonging to someone who has passed away are part of their estate. The executor or legal representative can request them. Usually you’ll need to register as the legal representative with CRA and provide a copy of the death certificate and proof of your authority (like the will or grant of probate). This often comes up while filing the final return for a deceased person.
Uncashed Cheques for a Business
Business refunds don’t show up in personal My Account. To check for uncashed GST/HST, payroll or corporate tax cheques, call CRA’s business line at 1-800-959-5525, or ask your accountant to check through Represent a Client. And while you’re at it, set up direct deposit in My Business Account.
How Long It Takes to Receive the Money
Processing usually takes a few weeks after CRA receives your signed form. Direct deposit is faster than a mailed cheque.
Avoid Scams: How CRA Will and Won’t Contact You
Scammers love the “you have unclaimed money” story.
- CRA will never text you a link to “claim your refund.”
- CRA will never ask for your banking details by email or text.
- CRA does send emails telling you to log in to My Account, but they won’t include personal info or a payment link.
Always go to canada.ca yourself and sign in. Never click the link in the message.
FAQ: Uncashed CRA Cheques
Do Government of Canada cheques expire?
No. They never expire, so even a cheque from years ago can be cashed or reissued.
How do I get a CRA cheque reissued?
Download form PWGSC 535 from the Uncashed cheques section of My Account, sign it and send it in. For stolen cheques, call CRA.
What is form PWGSC 535?
It’s an “Undertaking and Indemnity” form confirming the original cheque wasn’t cashed, so CRA can safely reissue the payment.
Can I cash a government cheque without a bank account?
Yes. You can cash a Government of Canada cheque for free at any Canadian bank with valid ID.
How long does it take?
Typically a few weeks after CRA receives your form.
