If you’ve ever filed a tax return in Canada, you’ve probably received a thick envelope from the Canada Revenue Agency — but by February 9, 2026, that envelope may not come anymore. The CRA is making a decisive move toward digital delivery of all Notices of Assessment, which means every working Canadian needs to know how to find, read, and use this document online. Here’s everything you need to stay ahead of the shift.

4 related posts

Issuer: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Document Types: ADC (assessment) or ADNC (reassessment) · Access Method: CRA My Account portal · 2026 Change: Digital-only from February 9, 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact phone wait times for CRA general inquiries remain variable
  • Whether paper delivery will remain available for taxpayers who actively opt out
3Timeline signal
  • February 9, 2026: CRA stops mailing most Notices of Assessment (CRA Tax Tips 2026)
  • May 29, 2026: All 45 CRA drop boxes across Canada close permanently (CRA Drop Boxes Closure)
4What’s next
  • Pre-filled tax returns pilot launching fall 2026, full rollout March 2027 (Canada.ca – Putting the Simple in Tax Filing)
  • SimpleFile Digital may be available for lower-income filers in 2026 (Canada.ca – Putting the Simple in Tax Filing)

Key facts about the federal Notice of Assessment as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency and tax preparation authorities:

Field Value
Official Name Avis de Cotisation (ADC)
Agency Agence du revenu du Canada (ARC)
Online Access CRA My Account for citizens
Quebec Counterpart Revenu Québec portal
NETFILE Code 8-character alphanumeric
Representative Access “Confirm my representative” process

What is the federal notice of assessment?

The federal notice of assessment — officially called an Avis de Cotisation (ADC) — is the Canada Revenue Agency’s official confirmation that your tax return has been processed. According to H&R Block Canada, it summarizes your reported income, claimed tax credits, and whether you owe money or are owed a refund. The document breaks down every deduction applied to your return and explains any changes the CRA made to your original filing.

If the CRA modifies your return during review, the notice of assessment spells out exactly what was corrected and why. This matters because under the Income Tax Act (section 150), the legal obligation to file accurately remains with you — not the CRA or your tax software. The CRA’s Auto-Fill features are convenience tools, not compliance shields, as noted by Shajani CPA.

“An Avis de Cotisation (ADC) is the official summary from the Canada Revenue Agency regarding the processing of a tax return.” — H&R Block Canada

Difference between ADC and ADNC

The ADC is your initial assessment after processing. If you or the CRA later change the return, you receive an Avis de Cotisation Non Computé (ADNC) — a reassessment that supersedes the original notice. Both documents are available in your CRA account and carry the same legal weight for verification purposes.

The implication:

Financial institutions, landlords, and lenders may request a recent notice of assessment as proof of income. Keep digital copies accessible in your CRA My Account — by 2026, a paper copy may no longer arrive automatically.

Where to find my federal notice of assessment?

Starting February 9, 2026, the CRA will make most Notices of Assessment viewable only through digital portals — primarily CRA My Account. Taxpayers who have not registered for an online account or who have previously chosen paper mail will still receive a physical copy by post, but the default is shifting decisively online. The CRA’s own guidance confirms that online submissions through CRA accounts are now the fastest and most secure way to access your documents.

Access via My Account

Log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca and navigate to the “Tax returns” section under “Income and deductions.” Your NETFILE access code — an 8-character alphanumeric identifier — is also easier to locate in your account starting February 2026. The CRA GenAI chatbot is available 24/7 on Canada.ca to help you locate documents if you encounter navigation issues.

In tax software

If you filed using certified tax software through NETFILE, your notice of assessment typically appears in your CRA account immediately after processing. For straightforward returns, H&R Block Canada notes that the assessment can be available almost instantly. Paper filers, by contrast, face considerable delays — the CRA still processes paper returns manually, which can take weeks longer than electronic processing.

What to watch

Tax professionals can now use the “Confirm my representative” process to access your account instantly — but only for Notices of Assessment dated at least six months old, according to H&R Block Canada. For current-year documents, you’ll still need to share them directly.

How can I consult my notice of assessment at the CRA?

The CRA offers multiple pathways to access your documents online. For most Canadians, the fastest route is through CRA My Account. You can also use the Revenu Québec portal if you’re looking for your provincial notice of assessment specifically. Tax software that integrates with CRA services — such as TurboImpôt or UFile — can also retrieve your assessment directly when you open a return.

Online steps

To access your notice of assessment online:

  • Register for CRA My Account using your social insurance number, date of birth, and postal code
  • Complete the security validation process (which may include answering questions from your credit file)
  • Navigate to “Tax returns” under “Income and deductions” to view and download past assessments
  • Your NETFILE access code appears in the same section — useful if you plan to e-file next year

Phone contact

If you’re unable to access your account online, you can contact the CRA’s individual tax enquiries line. Be prepared for variable wait times depending on call volume, particularly during peak filing season (March–April). Note that paper copies of tax slips (T4, T4A, T5) can no longer be requested by phone — the CRA expects you to retrieve these documents digitally through My Account instead.

The upshot

The CRA received over 33 million tax returns last season, with 93% filed online (CRA Drop Boxes Closure). The message is clear: the agency is fully committed to digital-first service delivery, and taxpayers who lag behind risk slower access to their own documents.

Does a notice of assessment mean you owe money?

No — a notice of assessment simply confirms the CRA’s calculation based on your filed return. It may show a refund, an amount owing, or a zero balance. If you owe money, the notice of assessment includes the deadline for payment and accepted methods: online banking through your financial institution, pre-authorized debit via your CRA account, the CRA’s My Payment service, or third-party payment providers (though fees may apply with the latter).

Refund or balance due

For straightforward returns filed electronically, H&R Block Canada notes that the assessment can be available the same day. If you are owed a refund, the CRA typically issues it within a few weeks of processing — direct deposit speeds this up considerably. Paper filers should expect considerably longer wait times for both assessment and any resulting refund.

The catch

If the CRA modified your return, the notice explains exactly what was changed and why — but the legal responsibility for accurate reporting remains yours regardless. Auto-Fill features in tax software pull CRA data for convenience, but they do not replace your obligation to verify foreign property over $100,000 in cost or other reportable items, as Shajani CPA warns.

Why transmit your notice of assessment?

The federal notice of assessment serves as official proof of income recognized across the financial sector. Banks and mortgage lenders request it to verify your earnings when you apply for a loan or rental housing. Employers may keep copies on file. Government benefit programs sometimes cross-reference it to confirm eligibility.

For financial advisors

Your notice of assessment also contains key planning information: your RRSP deduction limit (including your Registered Pension Plan Accumulation — RPAC room), details about the Home Buyers’ Plan if you’ve withdrawn from your RRSP for a home purchase, and your Lifelong Learning Plan contribution limits for education. TurboImpôt confirms that these details are updated each year on your notice, making it an essential reference document for long-term financial planning.

Why this matters

Tax professionals use the “Confirm my representative” process to access your account with a Notice of Assessment dated at least six months old, enabling them to optimize and verify your return. This means your historical assessments have ongoing value for audit protection and strategic planning.

How to access your notice of assessment step by step

Follow these steps to retrieve your federal notice of assessment through CRA My Account before the digital-only transition fully takes effect:

  1. Register or log in to CRA My Account at canada.ca using your social insurance number, date of birth, and postal code. Complete the two-step identity verification using security questions or a code sent by mail if you’re a first-time user.
  2. Navigate to “Tax returns” under the “Income and deductions” section. You will see a list of returns filed for previous years alongside the current filing year.
  3. Click “View” or “Download” next to the relevant tax year to open or save your Notice of Assessment as a PDF. The CRA retains these documents indefinitely.
  4. Locate your NETFILE access code in the same section — the 8-character alphanumeric code appears prominently starting February 2026. Record it securely for next year’s electronic filing.
  5. Set up direct deposit if you expect a refund. This ensures faster receipt compared to cheque by mail, and it aligns with the CRA’s preference for electronic delivery across all services.
  6. Authorize a representative (optional) if you work with a tax professional. Use the “Confirm my representative” process to grant access for assessments at least six months old, enabling your advisor to review and optimize your filings retroactively.
Bottom line: The CRA’s shift to digital-only delivery means Canadians who haven’t yet registered for My Account need to act now. Setting up online access today means you won’t scramble for your notice of assessment when you need it most — whether for a mortgage application, government benefit renewal, or tax planning with an advisor.

Related reading: Canada Child Benefit November 2025

Additional sources

canada.ca, gagnejohnston.com, canada.ca, hrblock.ca, turboimpot.intuit.ca, shajani.ca, canada.ca, canada.ca

After accessing your federal notice of assessment through CRA My Account, note the refund timeline post-NOA typically delivers direct deposits in eight business days.

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Frequently asked questions

What changes in 2026 for federal notice of assessment?

Starting February 9, 2026, the CRA will make most Notices of Assessment and Reassessment viewable only through digital portals like CRA My Account. Taxpayers who have not opted for online delivery or who lack a CRA account will still receive paper copies, but the default is firmly digital. The CRA also stopped allowing phone requests for paper tax slips as part of this transition.

How to get a federal notice of assessment example?

You cannot download a sample notice of assessment directly from the CRA, as each document is personalized to your specific tax return. However, H&R Block Canada and TurboImpôt both publish general guides showing the layout and information sections typically included, which can help you understand what to expect when your own assessment arrives.

What is the notice of assessment for businesses?

Businesses receive a separate business income tax assessment, not the personal Notice of Assessment discussed here. Business owners should use CRA My Business Account to access corporate tax notices and related documents. Sole proprietors receive the personal notice of assessment for their individual return as described in this article.

How to access Quebec provincial notice of assessment?

Quebec residents must use the Revenu Québec portal (revenuquebec.ca) to access their provincial notice of assessment, called the “Avis de cotisation” at the provincial level. The CRA’s federal notice covers only federal taxes; Quebec administers its own provincial tax system separately.

Where to call CRA for notice of assessment issues?

Contact the CRA’s individual income tax enquiries line at 1-800-959-8281 (English) or 1-800-959-7775 (French). Wait times vary, particularly during tax season. Alternatively, use the CRA GenAI chatbot on Canada.ca, available 24/7, which can help locate your documents, explain notices, or guide you through account setup.

What if I disagree with my notice of assessment?

If you believe the CRA made an error, you have the right to file a notice of objection within 90 days of the notice date (or one year if the CRA reassessed after an earlier review). The objection must be in writing and sent to the CRA’s appeals division. Your notice of assessment itself will include specific instructions for this process.

Can I get a paper notice of assessment after 2026?

Taxpayers without a CRA online account or who have specifically requested paper communications will still receive postal copies. However, the CRA’s direction is clear: digital access is the preferred and fastest method. If you rely on paper, consider registering for My Account as a backup — the CRA’s digital systems are more reliable than postal delivery, especially during high-volume filing periods.

For Canadian taxpayers navigating the 2026 transition, the writing is on the wall: the CRA’s investment in digital infrastructure — from My Account portals to GenAI chatbots to pre-filled return pilots launching in 2027 — signals a permanent shift away from paper-based service. The practical implication is straightforward: register for CRA My Account today, learn to navigate the portal, and treat your digital notice of assessment as the primary document it now is.