A total of $1.4 billion in uncashed checks is currently in the vaults of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is possible for all Canadians to check online if they have an uncashed check with the Agency.
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In May 2022, the amount of uncashed checks by Canadians with the CRA totaled $8.9 million. These reimbursements and benefits issued by the Agency, by direct deposit or by check, are sometimes not cashed due to a change of address which did not allow delivery or because the taxpayer has misplaced the check received. .
As the amount swells over the months and years, the CRA listed several solutions on Monday to ensure that this money ends up in the pockets of taxpayers.
Also, approximately 25,000 electronic notices will be issued in August 2022, another 25,000 in November 2022 and another 25,000 in May 2023, to certain recipients of the Canada Child Benefit and related provincial and territorial programs, the credit for GST/HST and Alberta Energy Tax Rebate for their uncashed cheques.
An initiative that is not new since it was launched by the CRA in February 2020 and allowed Canadians to cash approximately two million checks, worth $802 million, between the 10 February 2020 and May 31, 2022.
Consult your uncashed checks
In addition, it is possible for all Canadians since 2020 to consult their uncashed checks thanks to the online tool “My Account”.
There, there is an option under “Services Related To” labeled “Uncashed Checks”, to do the verification.
According to the CRA, some uncashed checks even date from 1998. Their average amount is $158.
However, these checks never expire. The CRA cannot void an original check and issue a new one without receiving the taxpayer’s request. Also, if the taxpayer does not act, he will not receive any new cheque.
You must complete and submit the form displayed online in “My File”. At the same time, the CRA on Monday encouraged Canadians to sign up for direct deposit to receive any deposits in their bank account.
It is also possible for the taxpayer to find out if he has any uncashed checks by calling 1-800-959-7383.
- Listen to Alexandre Moranville-Ouellet’s summary at Alexandre Dubé’s microphone on QUB radio: