The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is sitting on a financial goldmine that belongs to Canadian taxpayers. As of March 31, 2025, the CRA held around 10.2 million uncashed cheques, worth an astounding $1.7 billion. This staggering sum represents money that rightfully belongs to Canadians but has gone unclaimed for various reasons, some dating back over two decades.
Understanding how this massive accumulation of unclaimed funds developed, and more importantly, how you can check if some of this money belongs to you, reveals both the challenges of government payment systems and the opportunities available to every Canadian taxpayer.
The Scale of Canada’s Unclaimed Payment Problem
The magnitude of unclaimed government payments in Canada is truly remarkable. Think of it this way: if you divided the $1.7 billion equally among all Canadians, every person would receive approximately $45. But the reality is far more interesting, because this money isn’t distributed evenly – some individuals have hundreds or even thousands of dollars waiting for them.
Since launching the online tool in 2020, Canadians have successfully reclaimed over 4.5 million uncashed cheques, worth approximately $1.6 billion as of March 2025. This success story demonstrates that the system works, but it also highlights just how much money was sitting unclaimed before the digital solution was implemented.
What Types of Payments Go Unclaimed
The unclaimed cheques come from various government programs and services that most Canadians interact with regularly. A substantial proportion of these are income-tested payments (including family and child benefits) to individuals with household incomes below specified thresholds. And goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments account for almost half of all uncashed cheques on the list.
The payments include tax refunds, Canada Child Benefits, GST/HST credits, climate action incentives, and various other government benefits. The average value of an uncashed cheque is around $158, though amounts can range from small credits to substantial refunds.
Why Do Cheques Go Unclaimed?
Understanding why millions of cheques go unclaimed helps explain how this situation developed. Cheques can date back as far as 1998 and, because government-issued cheques never expire or stale date, the CRA can reissue a payment once requested by the taxpayer.
The most common reasons include people moving without updating their address with the CRA, cheques being lost or stolen in transit, recipients misplacing cheques and forgetting about them, and in some cases, cheques going unclaimed after someone passes away. Additionally, Canada Post strikes or delivery issues can prevent cheques from reaching their intended recipients.
The Digital Solution: How Technology Changed Everything
To help Canadians reclaim uncashed payments, the CRA launched a feature in February 2020 that allows individuals to view their uncashed cheques through their secure My Account portal. This digital innovation transformed what was previously a complex, bureaucratic process into something any Canadian can complete in minutes.
The timing of this launch was particularly significant, coming just before the COVID-19 pandemic when many Canadians needed access to all available financial resources. The system has proven remarkably effective, as evidenced by the billions of dollars successfully returned to taxpayers.
How the Online System Works
The process is designed to be straightforward, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. Once you sign into your CRA My Account, you can navigate to the “Uncashed cheques” section where any outstanding payments will be displayed with their amounts clearly shown.
If you find uncashed cheques, you can request a replacement cheque by filling out a “PWGSC 535 – Undertaking and Indemnity” form for each cheque. You can find this form in your account in the “Uncashed cheques” section. The form requires signatures from both you and a non-family member witness, and must be submitted for each individual uncashed cheque.
Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Your Money
Creating Your CRA My Account
If you don’t already have a CRA My Account, setting one up is your first step toward potentially discovering unclaimed funds. You’ll need your Social Insurance Number, date of birth, and information from your most recent tax return. The CRA offers multiple sign-in options, including using your online banking credentials or creating a dedicated CRA user ID and password.
Checking for Uncashed Cheques
Once logged in, look for “Uncashed cheques” under the “Related services” section. This will display any payments that remain uncashed, showing both the amount and the original issue date. The system can reveal cheques dating back to 1998, so even long-time taxpayers might be surprised by what they find.
Requesting Replacement Payments
For each uncashed cheque you want to claim, you’ll need to complete the PWGSC 535 form available in your account. This form includes pre-filled information specific to your payment, which is why it must be downloaded from your personal account rather than a generic version.
The completed form can be submitted online through the “Submit documents” feature or mailed to the CRA. Processing typically takes up to 60 days, and if you’re registered for direct deposit, the payment will go directly into your bank account. Otherwise, a new cheque will be mailed to your current address.
Important Considerations and Limitations
Debt Offset Policies
One crucial factor to understand is that if you owe an amount to the CRA, part or all of your payment may be applied to your debt. Any remaining amount will be issued to you as a new payment. This means that while you won’t lose money you’re legitimately owed, outstanding tax debts will be settled first.
Processing Times and Expectations
The CRA requires up to 60 days to process uncashed cheque requests, and during busy periods, this timeline might extend. Planning accordingly is important, especially if you’re counting on the funds for immediate expenses.
Preventing Future Uncashed Cheques
The most effective way to avoid future uncashed cheques is enrolling in direct deposit. Canadians can ensure they never miss a payment from us again by registering for direct deposit. This eliminates the possibility of lost mail, changed addresses affecting delivery, or simply misplacing physical cheques.
The Broader Impact on Canadian Taxpayers
This unclaimed cheque situation illustrates both a challenge and an opportunity within Canada’s tax system. On one hand, it demonstrates that millions of Canadians are missing out on money they’re entitled to. On the other hand, it shows how digital solutions can effectively address long-standing bureaucratic problems.
The success of the online uncashed cheque tool has implications beyond just returning money to taxpayers. It demonstrates the potential for digital government services to solve complex problems efficiently, suggesting that similar approaches could address other areas where citizens struggle to access services or benefits they’re entitled to.
Learning from Success Stories
Twitter users very quickly discovered they were owed money from things like GST payments or unclaimed tax refunds: Just found $700 from 2011! Whoa! $12,000 from 2006! You are a legend. These real examples show that substantial amounts can be recovered, sometimes from many years past.
The viral nature of social media posts about unclaimed cheques also demonstrates how word-of-mouth can be incredibly effective in helping people access government services. When someone discovers they have unclaimed money, they often share the information with friends and family, creating a multiplier effect that benefits more taxpayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do government cheques really never expire? A: Yes, government-issued cheques have no expiry date and remain valid indefinitely. Even cheques from 1998 can still be cashed or replaced through the CRA system.
Q: What if I find uncashed cheques but owe money to the CRA? A: The CRA will automatically apply uncashed cheque amounts to any outstanding debts first, then issue you any remaining balance. You won’t lose money you’re owed, but debts are settled first.
Q: How long does it take to receive replacement payments? A: The CRA requires up to 60 days to process requests. If you’re registered for direct deposit, funds go directly to your account; otherwise, a new cheque is mailed to your current address.