As Canadians prepare for the annual tax filing deadline of April 30, there's a surprising twist on the other side of the ledger: the federal government is holding a massive amount of money that belongs to its citizens. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is currently safeguarding a staggering $1.75 billion in unclaimed payments, waiting for the rightful owners to come forward.
A Mountain of Unclaimed Money
As of October 2025, the CRA reported it was holding exactly 10,279,770 uncashed cheques, with a total value of $1,752,004,000. This colossal sum represents an average of about $170 per cheque. To visualize the scale, that's equivalent to a stack of cheques standing one kilometre high or filling more than 3,000 standard filing cabinet drawers.
This cache of unclaimed funds isn't from a single program but is a cumulative pile of payments that have never been cashed, some dating back more than a quarter-century. The CRA confirms that these government-issued cheques never expire or become stale-dated, meaning the agency can reissue a payment whenever a taxpayer requests it, even for cheques from as far back as 1998.
What Are These Unclaimed Payments?
The unclaimed funds come from a wide array of federal and provincial programs. The CRA website lists 42 different types of payments that have gone unclaimed. The most common are likely standard T1 personal income tax refunds and Canada Child Benefit payments.
However, the list also includes more obscure and older payouts, illustrating how money can slip through the cracks over time. One notable example is the Alberta 2005 Resource Rebate, a one-time, tax-free payment issued by the provincial government under Premier Ralph Klein. This rebate was sent to every Albertan over 18 who filed a tax return in 2004, and for any child born in the province up to 2005. An adult who didn't file a return that year, or parents who never received or cashed the cheque for a newborn, could still be owed that money today.
Other examples of unclaimed payments include the Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement and the Yukon Child Benefit. This vast range shows that the unclaimed money isn't just from federal sources but includes provincial benefits administered through the tax system.
Why Does Money Go Unclaimed?
Several common scenarios lead to cheques remaining uncashed. A primary reason is the reliance on paper cheques sent by mail. These can be lost, stolen, or delivered to an old address if a recipient has moved. The issue can be compounded in the case of a deceased individual, where estate representatives may be unaware of an outstanding payment.
The CRA has long encouraged Canadians to adopt direct deposit for receiving payments, which eliminates the risk associated with physical mail. In a move to modernize, the government has also opted to stop automatically mailing out paper tax forms for the 2025 tax season, though they remain available upon request.
Other situations include individuals who are unaware they are eligible for a benefit, or those who simply forget to cash a cheque they received.
How to Check If You Have Money Waiting
Finding out if you have an uncashed cheque is a straightforward process. The CRA has a dedicated online resource for this purpose.
The simplest method is to log into your CRA My Account portal. Once logged in, navigate to the overview page and look for the "uncashed cheques" link. This section will display any cheques issued to you that are older than six months and remain uncashed.
It is important to note that this online tool has some limitations. It will not show:
- Cheques issued less than six months ago.
- Payments related to COVID-19 benefits and subsidies.
- Cheques issued to a business or trust.
- Any payments sent via direct deposit.
For these exceptions, or if you cannot access the online portal, you will need to contact the CRA directly by phone to inquire about any potential unclaimed funds.
With the tax deadline looming, it's an ideal time for Canadians to not only file their current returns but also to check if there is any old government money waiting for them. A quick login to the CRA website could reveal a forgotten cheque, turning a routine tax season task into a potential financial surprise.
