Edo

I filed my first ever tax return in Canada in March 2014 and CRA advised me in a follow up phone call that they started processing my file on 20th May and it takes 5 weeks for the whole thing to be processed and any refunds issued. They owe me a hefty refund which I cannot wait to get back, so I called them again to chase it up today as I have still not heard anything and I was told that it actually takes 16 weeks (not from the date that they received it but when they actually started processing it) . I told the call centre advisor the CRA certainly didnt wait 16 weeks to deduct my tax so why should I have to wait for 16 weeks to get my refund and she said its normal for new residents tax files to take that long.

Can someone confirm if that is really the case and if there is any way to expedite this please?

Mr Bean

My first return didn't get to me until November.

AlmostThere12

Yep. We sent our as soon as got T4 mid/end Jan and it took forever. Got it end of Apr beg May after child evidence request and that was a straight forward employment with nothing extra other than child allowances. Apparently one in x amount get completely put through the mill! I'm really hoping next years is straight forward and quick!

JonboyE

15-16 weeks is not unusual for a new immigrant's first return. Next year, unless there is something odd on the return, it will be processed in a roughly 10 days.

scrubbedexpat091

Your first return for new residents as said takes forever, luckily after the first one, its processed pretty quick, 1-2 weeks.

Edo

Thanks for your replies folks. They told me mine has been marked for some 'special review', cuz on top of being a new resident I was guilty of giving money to registered charities and the tax benefit from those contributions seem to be causing the delay. Not very encouraging to give charity in Canada is it.

MarkG

Probably something else related to being your first year. I put mine on my tax return this year and it just went straight through.

sms1984

We filed ours via efile and received our returns about 2 weeks later, this was our first tax return too. It seems to be pretty varied

family_of_4

Our status is very similar to yours, we put our returns in at the beginning of march, I called beginning of may and they said it had just gone to processing and would be maximum 5 weeks. I rang again yesturday and was told we had to allow 16 weeks. Our returns were also very straight forward with just the one employer, I figure ill give it to august then call again.

Geordie Lass

Took us over 13 weeks first return.

This year much quicker.

Hang in there - nothing is quick here where paperwork is concerned.

Mikeypm

Ours went in March and have not heard anything yet, Im wondering when the tax return will come in and how long it will be till we get PER. Red tape ehh

Alan2005

Call them. I waited assuming that the delay was because it was my first return - turns out they lost it.

orly

Would be nice if you could "lose" the letters they send you asking for more money.

Mikeypm

I got JonEboy to do mine and send it so hoping it's not lost

colchar

Here is a piece of advice - don't piss off the tax man. Seriously.




How is one "guilty" of giving money to charity?