On this page…

• What happens to your return after we receive it?
• When can you expect your refund?
• When will we pay interest?
• Income tax problems?
• What should you do if you disagree?
• How do you change a return?
• Can you file a return to claim a refund for a previous year?
• What is a voluntary disclosure?
• What should you do if you move?
• Should you be paying your taxes by instalments?

What happens to your return after we receive it?

When we receive your return, we usually review it based on the information you provided and send you a Notice of Assessment based on that review. However, we may select your return for a more detailed review before we assess it. If so, and we ask you to give us documents to verify the deductions or credits you claimed, your assessment may be delayed. We can also carry out a more detailed review after your return has been assessed, to verify the income reported and the deductions or credits claimed.

When can you expect your refund?

We usually process paper returns in four to six weeks. However, we start to process returns in mid-February, so do not call before mid-March, even if you filed your return in January. If you filed your return on or before April 15, wait four weeks before you call. If you filed your return after April 15, wait six weeks before you call. We can process returns filed electronically (see "Filing electronically") in as little as eight business days, but wait at least four weeks before you call.

To find out about your 2003 refund, use Telerefund, one of our T.I.P.S. services (see "T.I.P.S. (Tax Information Phone Service)").

When will we pay interest?

We will pay you compound daily interest on your tax refund for 2003, starting on whichever of the following three dates is latest:

• May 31, 2004;
• the 31st day after you file your return; or
• the day after you overpaid your taxes.

Income tax problems?

Our Enquiries staff is committed to resolving your tax-related problems by giving you accurate, timely, courteous, fair, and confidential answers to your questions. However, if a problem cannot be resolved, you can contact the Problem Resolution Program of your tax services office.

Our goal under this program is to resolve the problem within 15 working days. If we cannot do so (for example, if your situation is complex) a representative will contact you to confirm that we are working on the problem, to discuss it further (if necessary), and let you know when we expect to resolve it.

What should you do if you disagree?

If you disagree with your assessment or reassessment, contact us for more information. If you still disagree, you can make a formal objection by sending a completed Form T400A, Objection - Income Tax Act , or a signed letter to the Chief of Appeals at your tax services office or tax centre on or before whichever of the following two dates is later:

• one year after the due date for the return; or
• 90 days after the date of the Notice of Assessment or Notice of Reassessment.

How do you change a return?

If you need to make a change to any return you have sent us, do not file another return for that year. Instead, make your request by visiting our Web site at www.ccra.gc.ca, or send both of the following to your tax centre:

• a completed Form T1-ADJ, T1 Adjustment Request , or a signed letter providing the details of your request (including the years of the returns you want us to change), your social insurance number, your address,
• a telephone number where we can reach you during the day; and
• supporting documents for the changes you want to make and, if you have not sent them to us before, supporting documents for your original claim.

You can ask for a refund for years as far back as 1985. It usually takes eight weeks before we complete the adjustment and mail you a Notice of Reassessment.

Can you file a return to claim a refund for a previous year?

If you have not already filed one, you can file a return to claim a refund for 1985 or any year after that. If you are filing a return for a year before 2003, make sure you attach receipts for all the deductions or credits you are claiming.

What is a voluntary disclosure?

Maybe you should have filed a return for a previous year (see "Do you have to file a return?") but you did not, or you sent us an incorrect return. If so, you can voluntarily file or correct that return under the Voluntary Disclosures Program, and pay only the taxes owing (plus interest) without penalty.,

For more details, and to see if your disclosure qualifies for this program, get Information Circular 00-1, Voluntary Disclosures Program , or call the Voluntary Disclosures Program officer in the Appeals Division of your tax services office. If you wish, you can discuss your situation first on a no-name or hypothetical basis.

Be sure to indicate clearly, on any disclosure you make, that you are submitting information under the Voluntary Disclosures Program.

What should you do if you move?

If you move, let us know your new address as soon as possible. If you use direct deposit (see "Direct deposit"), you also have to advise us if you change your account at your financial institution.

Keeping us informed will ensure that you keep getting any GST/HST credit and Canada Child Tax Benefit payments to which you may be entitled (including those from certain related provincial or territorial programs). Otherwise, your payments may stop, whether you receive them by cheque or by direct deposit. We also need to know your new address to mail you your return package for next year.

You can tell us your new address by visiting www.ccra.gc.ca/newaddress, by phone or in writing. If you are writing, send your letter to your tax centre. Make sure you sign it, and include your social insurance number, your new address, and the date of your move. If you are writing for other people, including your spouse or common-law partner, include their social insurance numbers, and have each of them sign the letter authorizing the change to his or her records.

Should you be paying your taxes by instalments?

You may have to pay your taxes by instalments if not enough income tax is withheld from your income. To find out if you have to pay your taxes for 2004 by instalments, estimate your taxes and credits for 2004 using your return

for 2003. Enter those amounts in the chart on the Federal Worksheet in the forms book. The chart contains the most common factors to consider.

If our records show that you may have to pay your taxes by instalments, we will send you an Instalment Reminder in advance, showing the amount we suggest you pay and the date the payment is due.

You can authorize us to withdraw your instalment payments automatically from your account at a financial institution. To do so, or for more information, get Form T1162A, Pre-Authorized Payment Plan (Personal Quarterly Instalment Payments ).

For more information about instalment payments or instalment interest charges, get pamphlet P110, Paying Your Income Tax by Instalments .

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