The Notice of Assessment (NOA) is the official summary from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) about your tax return. For every Canadian taxpayer, the NOA is absolutely crucial. It confirms your filing, shows your refund or balance owing, details your deductions and credits. You’ll need your NOA for many things, from applying for loans to simply verifying your income. This guide will walk you through the simple ways on how to get your notice of assessment in Canada.
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What is a Notice of Assessment?
The CRA Notice of Assessment is a document that confirms that your filing was received and processed. But it’s more than just a confirmation. Your NOA provides a clear summary of the income you reported, the deductions and credits you claimed and the CRA’s calculation of your final tax situation.
It’s also where you will find other important details like your updated Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution room for future tax planning. Sometimes, it includes information related to specific tax forms or plans you’ve used, such as the Home Buyers’ Plan.
The Main Ways of Getting Notice of Assessment
There are two main ways you can receive this important document from the CRA: electronically (online) or by mail.
The method you receive yours by depends on a couple of things:
- How you chose to file your tax return this year (did you use NETFILE software or file a paper return?)
- The communication preferences you’ve set up with the Canada Revenue Agency.
The Online Method (The Fastest Way)
Getting your Notice of Assessment electronically is the fastest way. If you filed your tax return online using NETFILE-certified tax software or had our tax professionals file for you, there’s a higher probability that your NOA will be available through a secure online service. This method is convenient and gives you quick access to your tax information as soon as the CRA has finished processing your return.
Check out our detailed guide on where and how to find your NETFILE access code
How To Access Your Notice of Assessment Online
Here are the steps to find your Notice of Assessment once it’s ready:
- Go to the CRA Website
- Log In to CRA My Account: You’ll have a couple of ways to log in securely. You can use the CRA’s own Login Services (where you get a CRA user ID and password) or choose to log in using a Sign-In Partner, like your online banking credentials (this is a secure and easy option).
- Go to Your Tax Info: Once you’re logged in, look for sections related to your tax returns or correspondence.
- Find Your Notice of Assessment: Within these sections, you should see a list of your filed tax years and correspondence from the CRA. Your Notice of Assessment for the current year (and potentially past years) will be available, usually as a PDF document that you can view, download, or print.
Getting Your Notice of Assessment by Mail
The CRA will send your NOA as a physical letter to your address if:
- You filed your tax return using a paper tax form instead of electronically via NETFILE.
- You haven’t registered for online mail through your CRA My Account.
- There might have been an issue preventing your online mail delivery.
If you’re expecting your NOA by mail, the timeline can vary. Generally, the CRA sends it out a few weeks after they receive and process your paper tax return.
What to Do After You Get Your Notice of Assessment
Once you have your NOA, take a moment to review it carefully.
Compare the summary provided by the CRA with the copy of the income tax return you filed. Check for any discrepancies in the income reported, the deductions and credits allowed, or the final tax refund or balance owing.
Sometimes, the CRA can make adjustments based on the information they have, or they can flag something for review (though a change doesn’t necessarily mean an audit).
Confirm the outcome – does the amount listed for your tax refund match what you expected? Is the balance owing correct? Also, take note of your updated Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) deduction limit listed on the NOA. It is crucial for future retirement planning.
Finally, make sure to file your Notice of Assessment safely. Keep a digital copy saved securely or store the paper letter in a safe place. You might need it in the future when applying for loans, verifying your income, or even for tracking specific deductions or plan details in subsequent tax years. It’s an essential piece of your personal tax history.
What If You Don't Receive Your Notice of Assessment?
If you don’t receive your NOA within the expected timeframe (usually a few weeks after filing), the best course of action is to contact the CRA.
One way is to call their individual income tax inquiries line. Another convenient method, if you have CRA My Account set up, is to use their secure mail service within the portal to send a message asking about the status of your assessment.
The CRA can look into why you haven’t received your NOA. They can often provide you with the details over the phone (after verifying your identity) or help you troubleshoot accessing it online through CRA My Account. They can also arrange to resend you a paper copy if needed.
Note if you live in Quebec: Since Quebec has its own provincial tax system, you’ll receive a separate provincial assessment from Revenue Québec in addition to your federal one from the CRA. If you’re missing your provincial notice, contact Revenue Québec directly.
FAQs
For online (NETFILE) filing, your NOA is usually available in CRA My Account within two weeks. For paper filing, expect six to eight weeks by mail. Processing may take longer during peak tax season.
If you find an error or disagree with a change, you can request an adjustment. The easiest way is through the “Change my Return” service in CRA My Account (for up to 10 prior years). If you formally disagree, you must file a formal objection usually within 90 days of the NOA date.
No. Your tax return is the form you submit reporting your tax information. Your Notice of Assessment is the CRA’s official statement after processing your return, summarizing their assessment and showing any changes or corrections they made.
Yes, you can authorize a representative. You can do this online through your CRA My Account or by submitting Form T1013, Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative, to the CRA. You control their level of access and the tax years they can view.
No, the Canada Revenue Agency does not charge any fees for you to get a copy of your Notice of Assessment, whether you access it online or receive it by mail.
Get Expert Assistance with Your Canadian Tax Filings
Figuring out how to get the Notice of Assessment can sometimes feel complex. If you need personalized guidance in understanding your tax situation, or assistance with future tax filings, let an expert handle it.
Legend Fusions Canada can help you understand your complete tax picture. Contact us today for expert advice on your Canadian income tax.
Reviewed by:
Jeffrey Ross
Jeffrey Ross is an experienced tax accountant focused on US-Canada cross-border taxation, with over three years in the industry, including a key role as client manager at a Canadian tax firm. He provides expertise in corporate and personal tax planning, specializing in non-resident tax, capital gains, CRA and IRS compliance, and retirement planning. Known for his personalized approach, Jeffrey is dedicated to guiding clients with clear, practical advice tailored to complex tax scenarios, aligned with the evolving tax laws.