After the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) processes your income tax return, it issues a Notice of Assessment (NOA). This document summarizes your tax return, confirms your refund or balance owing, and includes important tax information such as your RRSP deduction limit, available tax credits, and your NETFILE Access Code for future tax filings.
If you're trying to retrieve your Notice of Assessment through CloudTax, here's what you need to know.
This article applies to taxpayers who use the CloudTax DIY application to prepare and file their own tax returns.
Can CloudTax Retrieve My Notice of Assessment?
No.
CloudTax, like all NETFILE certified tax software, cannot retrieve or download your Notice of Assessment after your return has been processed by the CRA.
Once your return has been successfully filed, your Notice of Assessment is issued and stored by the CRA. Tax software does not have access to your NOA after assessment, which means neither CloudTax nor any other tax software provider can resend or retrieve it for you.
How to Get a Copy of Your Notice of Assessment
There are two ways to obtain your current or previous Notices of Assessment.
Option 1: Sign in to CRA My Account (Recommended)
The quickest and easiest way to access your Notice of Assessment is through CRA My Account.
Once your return has been processed, you can:
Sign in to CRA My Account.
Select Tax Returns or Mail.
Choose the tax year.
View, download, or print your Notice of Assessment.
The CRA also stores previous years' Notices of Assessment, making it easy to access historical tax records whenever you need them.
Don't have a CRA My Account? Follow our guide:
How to Set Up Your CRA My Account for First Time Filers
Option 2: Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
If you cannot access your CRA My Account, you'll need to contact the CRA directly.
The CRA can:
Help you regain access to your CRA My Account.
Mail you a copy of your current or previous Notice of Assessment.
Answer questions about your tax assessment.
For security reasons, the CRA will ask you to verify your identity before discussing your tax information. The CRA also confirms that taxpayers can request a paper copy of their Notice of Assessment by phone.
Why Can't Tax Software Access My Notice of Assessment?
Many taxpayers assume their tax software stores a copy of their Notice of Assessment. In reality, this document is created only after the CRA finishes processing your tax return.
Tax software can:
Prepare your tax return.
Submit your return electronically through NETFILE.
Provide a filing confirmation once the CRA accepts your return.
Tax software cannot:
Retrieve your Notice of Assessment after it has been issued.
Download previous Notices of Assessment.
Reissue or email copies of your NOA.
Only the CRA maintains your official Notices of Assessment.
What Information Is Included on a Notice of Assessment?
Your Notice of Assessment contains important information, including:
Your refund amount or balance owing.
A summary of your assessed tax return.
Your RRSP deduction limit.
Your unused tax credits.
Your NETFILE Access Code for future electronic filing.
Any changes or corrections made by the CRA during assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CloudTax email me my Notice of Assessment?
No. CloudTax does not receive or store your Notice of Assessment after the CRA processes your return.
Can another tax software retrieve my NOA?
No. This limitation applies to all NETFILE certified tax software in Canada.
I lost my Notice of Assessment. What should I do?
Sign in to your CRA My Account to download another copy. If you cannot access your account, contact the CRA and request that a copy be mailed to you.
Why do I need my Notice of Assessment?
You may need your NOA to:
Confirm your tax refund or balance owing.
Verify your income for a mortgage or loan.
Check your RRSP contribution room.
File future tax returns using your NETFILE Access Code.
Keep your personal tax records up to date.
Need Help Accessing Your CRA Account?
If you're registering for CRA My Account for the first time, follow our step by step guide:
How to Set Up Your CRA My Account for First Time Filers
If you're unable to access your Notice of Assessment through CRA My Account, you'll need to contact the CRA directly, as only the CRA can provide copies of your current or previous Notices of Assessment.
Exception for CloudTax Done For You Clients
This limitation may not apply if you are a CloudTax Done For You client and you authorized CloudTax as one of your representatives with the CRA.
When CloudTax has valid representative access to your CRA account, our tax team may be able to access certain CRA documents and information on your behalf, including your Notice of Assessment.
Representative access depends on:
Your authorization remaining active with the CRA
The level of access you provided
The information and documents made available through the CRA's representative services
This exception applies only to eligible CloudTax Done For You clients. It does not apply to users filing independently through the CloudTax DIY application.