Most people do not expect money to be hiding in plain sight, yet this is exactly what is happening with unclaimed cheques issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). As of October 2025, the CRA reported 10.279 million uncashed cheques worth approximately $1.752 billion. Another way to look at this is that millions of Canadians have forgotten about payments averaging around $170 per cheque. The scale of unclaimed payments is startling and creates a strong hook, there may be money waiting for you that only requires a simple check.
At the same time, the numbers keep growing. A recent National Post stated that over ten million cheques remained uncashed, with nearly 190,000 cheques worth more than $1,000 and about 160 cheques exceeding $100,000. These payments date back to 1998!
This blog explains why cheques go unclaimed, how to check for unclaimed cheques through your CRA My Account, and what steps to follow if you have outstanding payments.
Why cheques go unclaimed
Unclaimed cheques can result from many everyday situations. People move to a new home and forget to update their mailing address. Others misplace a refund cheque or assume a tax benefit will be deposited automatically. The CRA issues millions of cheques each year for refunds, credits and benefits, but not everyone signs up for direct deposit. Additionally, some cheques are issued before a taxpayer enrols in direct deposit, so the amounts do not transfer automatically.
Even when using direct deposit, older paper cheques may still be outstanding because they were issued before the individual registered for electronic payments. The CRA also sends cheques to businesses, trusts and estates. Cheques can become lost, damaged or stolen, and some taxpayers simply forget to cash them.
Government-issued cheques never expire, meaning old cheques can still be cashed decades later. For high-value cheques, failing to cash them represents a significant loss to the recipient. Understanding these reasons underscores why it is important to check for uncashed CRA payments.
How to check online through CRA My Account
Eligibility for the online feature
The CRA added an “Uncashed cheques” feature to the My Account portal and the Represent a Client service. This online option shows uncashed cheques that are at least six months old. Personal income tax refunds, GST/HST credits and numerous provincial or territorial benefits appear in the list. Cheques for COVID‑19 subsidies, business refunds or trust accounts do not appear online. For these payments, or if you do not have a CRA My Account, you must contact the CRA by phone (covered later).
Steps to find unclaimed cheques in My Account
When you log into My Account, look for “Uncashed cheques” in the Overview page or under Accounts and payments. The steps are simple:
Sign in to My Account. If you have not yet registered, you will need to set up a CRA account.
Navigate to “Uncashed cheques.” This section shows personal cheques that you have not cashed and provides details about the payment type. The CRA displays abbreviations for different benefits; for example, T1 indicates a tax refund, GST/HSTC refers to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credit, and CCB indicates the Canada Child Benefit.
Download the pre‑filled form (Form PWGSC 535) for each uncashed cheque. The form is automatically completed with your payment details; you only need to fill in the remaining fields, sign and date it by hand.
Update your account information. While you are logged in, verify that your direct deposit information and mailing address are correct. This step helps prevent future payments from going astray.
Submit the form. You can scan and upload the completed form through the CRA’s “Submit documents” portal. The portal will ask you to select “No” for the case reference number, choose “Other” as the topic and indicate that you are sending Form PWGSC 535 to request a duplicate of your uncashed cheque.
Alternatively, you can mail the form to the Sudbury Tax Centre, P.O. Box 20000, Station A, Sudbury, ON P3A 5C2.
What happens next
The CRA normally processes the form and issues a replacement payment. If you are registered for direct deposit, the new payment will be deposited into your bank account. Otherwise, a cheque will be mailed to your address, which may take up additional business days. When the CRA issues a new payment, it will first use any amount owing to offset outstanding tax debts. After that, any remaining balance is sent to you.
How to check by phone or for special cases
Some types of uncashed cheques are not available online. If you are looking for business refunds, corporate GST/HST credits, payroll remittances or cheques issued less than six months ago, you need to contact the CRA by phone. The CRA also recommends calling if you do not have an online account or if the My Account feature does not show any uncashed cheques but you still suspect there might be one.
Phone numbers for individuals and businesses
The CRA has several phone lines dedicated to uncashed cheques:
Individuals (personal tax refunds and trust payments): 1‑800‑959‑8281 (or 1‑866‑426‑1527 for Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut; 613‑940‑8495 if calling from outside Canada and the United States).
Individuals (credit and benefit payments, including COVID‑19 benefits): 1‑800‑387‑1193.
Businesses (business tax, GST/HST and payroll): 1‑800‑959‑5525 (or 1‑866‑841‑1876 for Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut; 613‑940‑8497 for calls outside Canada and the United States).
When you call, the CRA representative will verify your identity and confirm whether there are any uncashed cheques. If there are, the CRA will mail you the pre‑filled Form PWGSC 535. After receiving the form, follow the same process as the online submission: complete the fields, sign and date, and return it. The processing time is similar to the online method.
Replacing damaged cheques or cheques issued to someone who died
If you still have an original cheque that is damaged, you can send it to the Imaging and Receiver General Operations Directorate in Matane, Quebec, and request a replacement. The address for returning cheques is:
Imaging and Receiver General Operations Directorate
Returned Cheques
PO Box 2000
Matane QC G4W 4N5.
For cheques issued to someone who has passed away, you should either give the cheque to the person managing their tax affairs or return it to the same address. In both cases, the CRA will reissue the payment to the appropriate recipient or estate.
Tips to avoid unclaimed cheques in the future
Staying on top of your CRA correspondence ensures you never miss a payment. Here are some simple tips:
Sign up for direct deposit. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive refunds and benefit payments. It eliminates the risk of lost or delayed cheques and ensures future payments go directly into your bank account.
Keep your CRA account information current. Whenever you move or change banks, update your mailing address and bank details through My Account. This helps ensure that cheques are sent to the right place.
Check My Account regularly. Logging in at least once a year can help you spot uncashed cheques early. The CRA’s “Uncashed cheques” feature is an easy way to check if you have missed any payments.
Keep records of tax returns and benefit notices. Many people misplace cheques because they forget they are owed a refund. File digital or paper copies of your notices so you can cross‑check them.
The importance of being proactive
The CRA’s digital services make it easier than ever to find uncashed cheques. However, the agency has struggled with proactively informing taxpayers. In November 2024, CRA contact‑centre agents stopped automatically notifying callers about uncashed cheques. This decision was criticized and later reversed; after discussions with stakeholders, the CRA resumed the practice in December 2024. Still, you cannot rely on an agent to flag uncashed cheques every time. Being proactive and checking your account is the best way to ensure you receive money owed to you.
With over $1.75 billion in outstanding payments and some cheques worth more than $100,000, the unclaimed cheque issue is not trivial. It affects students, new Canadians, retirees and businesses alike. Even if your unpaid amount is small, it is still your money.
Final thoughts and next steps
Unclaimed cheques are more common than most people realise. The CRA holds millions of dollars in refunds, benefits and credits that have not been cashed by their rightful owners. The good news is that recovering these payments is straightforward. By logging into your CRA My Account or calling the CRA, you can identify any uncashed cheques and request replacements. The process requires a bit of paperwork, but the reward can be a pleasant financial surprise.
If you would like help navigating the CRA’s systems or ensuring that your tax affairs are up to date, professional guidance can make a difference. Bestax has experienced accountants who can help you with tax planning, filing and resolving payment issues.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such.
