📄 What is a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment (NOA)?

A Notice of Assessment (NOA) is an official summary sent by the 🇨🇦 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after your tax return has been received and processed. It confirms how your tax return was assessed and shows whether you owe tax, are getting a refund, or have a zero balance.

🧾 How You Receive Your NOA

• 📧 **Online in your CRA My Account** – most common today, with email notification when new mail arrives.
• 📬 **Mail** – paper copies sent to your address on file.

⏱️ When You Get It

– ~2 weeks after electronic filing (NETFILE/EFILE).

– ~6–8 weeks if you file on paper.

📊 What the NOA Shows

• Tax year & assessment date – when CRA processed your return.
• Account summary – whether you owe money, get a refund, or have no balance.
• Tax assessment summary – income, deductions, credits used in calculation.
• Explanation of changes – if CRA corrected information.
• RRSP deduction limit and contribution room for next year.

❓ If You Disagree With Your NOA

You typically have 90 days from the date on your NOA to file a formal dispute (Notice of Objection) with CRA if you believe the assessment is incorrect.

📌 Quick Tips

• Keep your NOA safe — it’s often required to verify income or tax status.
• If you lose it, you can download previous notices from your CRA account.
• The notice is important even if you owe nothing.

Learn more on the official CRA page: Canada Revenue Agency – Notices of Assessment.