📞 Notify the CRA of a Date of Death

Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as soon as possible when someone dies to report the date of death and prevent overpayments or other issues with benefit and credit payments. This helps manage GST/HST credits, Canada child benefit, Canada workers benefit and other federal payments.

📍 Why Report the Date of Death?

Reporting the date of death ensures the CRA can update its records, stop future benefit payments in the deceased’s name, and avoid potential repayment requests or overpayments. Even if the person was not receiving benefits, the CRA asks you to report the date of death.

📞 How to Report by Phone

Call CRA and provide the deceased’s details. When you call, select any initial menu option, then press “0” to reach an agent who can update the date of death.

Individual Tax Enquiries: 1‑800‑959‑8281
Yukon/NWT/Nunavut: 1‑866‑426‑1527
Outside Canada/US: 613‑940‑8495 (Eastern Time)
Benefit Enquiries: 1‑800‑387‑1193

CRA phone lines are typically open Monday to Friday, 8 am – 8 pm ET.

📬 How to Report by Mail

Complete Form RC4111 – Notify the Canada Revenue Agency of a Death and mail it to the deceased’s tax centre. This is useful if you prefer a paper trail or cannot reach CRA by phone.

📑 What Information You Need

Whether calling or mailing, you’ll need:

Full name of the deceased
Date of death
Social Insurance Number (SIN) or Temporary Tax Number (TTN)
Date of birth
Address
Your name, contact info and relationship to the deceased
Tax documents such as a notice of assessment if available

Having these details ready streamlines the update process.

💳 Benefits Adjustments After Death

Reporting the date of death allows CRA to stop benefits such as the GST/HST credit, Canada workers benefit advances and other credit payments. Some payments issued after death may need to be returned to CRA. For example, uncashed GST/HST credit cheques after a death should be mailed back to the appropriate tax centre.

👶 Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

If the deceased was receiving child benefits, the CRA will usually transfer eligibility to the surviving parent or caregiver who is primarily responsible for the child once the death is reported. Otherwise, the caregiver may apply for benefits for the child using the online benefit application or Form RC66.

📌 Next Steps After Reporting

After notifying the CRA, the legal representative of the deceased (such as executor of the estate) will manage final tax filings, including the final T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return and any necessary estate tax returns. You may also notify Service Canada about CPP or OAS benefits.