CRA Has $1.7 Billion In Unclaimed Cheques – Check If You’re Eligible to Get it! How to Claim it?
CRA Has $1.7 Billion In Unclaimed Cheques – Imagine getting a surprise windfall from the government—no strings attached. That’s not just wishful thinking. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is sitting on over $1.7 billion in uncashed cheques, and millions of Canadians are owed money they never even knew about.
Whether it’s from tax refunds, GST/HST credits, or the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), if a cheque was issued and never cashed, it’s still waiting for you. Here’s your chance to get what’s rightfully yours.
CRA Has $1.7 Billion In Unclaimed Cheques
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Unclaimed Amount | Over $1.7 billion |
| Eligible Cheques Date Back | Up to 20 years |
| Who’s Eligible? | Any Canadian taxpayer or benefit recipient |
| How to Check | Via CRA My Account |
| How to Claim | Fill Form PWGSC 535 online or by mail |
| CRA Contact Numbers | 1-800-959-8281 (General), 1-800-387-1193 (Benefits) |
| CRA Mobile App | CRA’s app also lets you view unclaimed cheques |
| Protect Your Info | Enable 2FA and use secure browsers |
| Official Resource | CRA Uncashed Cheques |
With over $1.7 billion just sitting in unclaimed CRA cheques, you owe it to yourself to check. Whether you’re a student, parent, retiree, or newcomer—you might be richer than you think.
Don’t wait for CRA to call you. They won’t. But that money? It’s still there. Log in. Check. Claim it.
What’s the Deal with Unclaimed CRA Cheques?
It’s simple: the CRA issues millions of cheques each year. But sometimes, people move, close their bank accounts, or simply forget to deposit their payments. Those cheques go uncashed, and the CRA keeps the funds waiting—sometimes for decades.
More than 8.9 million individual cheques are still uncashed today. That’s potentially hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars per person.
How to Check for Unclaimed CRA Cheques in Minutes
Step 1: Log in to CRA My Account
Go to CRA My Account. Use your bank login (Sign-In Partner) or CRA credentials. Don’t have one? Register—it’s secure and free.
Step 2: Navigate to “Uncashed Cheques”
Look for “Uncashed Cheques” under “Related Services.” You’ll see a list of cheques, with details like amount, issue date, and purpose.
Step 3: See Something Owed to You?
If any cheque remains uncashed, it will be displayed—even from 10–20 years ago.
Real Stories: Canadians Who Found Surprise Money
Jared from Alberta: “I found three GST/HST credits from 2016 to 2019—over $500 total. Took me less than 10 minutes!”
Meena from Toronto: “I moved twice during college. Turns out I missed two tax refunds. That’s $1,200 I just reclaimed.”
These stories are more common than you’d think.
How to Claim Your CRA Uncashed Cheques?
Option 1: Online (Fastest)
- Download Form PWGSC 535 from your CRA account (pre-filled).
- Fill it out and have a non-family member witness your signature.
- Upload it via “Submit Documents” in CRA My Account.
Option 2: By Mail
- Print and complete Form PWGSC 535.
- Mail it to:
Sudbury Tax Centre
P.O. Box 20000, Station A
Sudbury, ON P3A 5C2
Expect 6–8 weeks for processing.
Claiming for a Deceased Family Member
Yes, cheques issued to someone who has passed away can be claimed by their legal estate representative.
Steps:
- Provide proof of death (death certificate).
- Attach legal documentation naming you as executor.
- Follow the same submission process via mail.
Security Tips: Don’t Get Scammed While Logging In
Online impersonation and phishing are on the rise. Protect yourself:
- Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) in CRA My Account.
- Never click CRA links from random texts or emails.
- Use the official CRA portal via canada.ca.
Use CRA’s Mobile App to Check Too
Prefer phones over desktops? CRA’s mobile app, “MyCRA,” lets you:
- View your account balances
- See uncashed cheques
- Update direct deposit info
Download from the App Store or Google Play.
What Happens If You Don’t Claim?
Nothing terrible—but it’s your money, and it just sits there. CRA doesn’t claw it back. It doesn’t expire. But inflation eats into it, so it loses value over time.
Moral of the story? Grab it while you can.
Checklist: Get That Money in 5 Steps
- Log into CRA My Account
- Click “Uncashed Cheques”
- Download Form PWGSC 535
- Fill, witness, and upload or mail it
- Wait for processing (6–8 weeks)
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FAQs About CRA Has $1.7 Billion In Unclaimed Cheques
Q1: Is there a deadline to claim the money?
No. CRA cheques don’t expire. You can claim them years—even decades—later.
Q2: What if I moved and missed my mail?
No problem. Your CRA account will still show uncashed payments. Just update your mailing address for future security.
Q3: What’s the fastest way to get my money?
Submit the form online through your CRA account. It’s quicker than mailing and gets processed faster.
Q4: Can I get this money through my tax return?
No. You must claim it directly via CRA’s uncashed cheque process—it won’t show up automatically in your next refund.
Q5: I’m new to Canada. Could I still be eligible?
Yes. If you filed taxes or qualified for benefits like the CCB or GST credits in past years, you may have missed cheques.
