Understanding the "In Progress" Status on CRA Portal

At some point when interacting with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you may have stumbled upon the message "in progress" and wondered what exactly does it mean? You're not alone. This term routinely sparks confusion among many Canadians.

This comprehensive guide explains the "in progress" status on the CRA's online platforms and provides alternatives through their mobile app and call centre. Each option aims to simplify the tax-paying process, a commitment towards ensuring efficient taxpayer services delivered by the CRA.

"In Progress" Status on CRA Website

When managing your taxes on the CRA website, you might notice the "in progress" status. Typically, this message indicates your tax return or benefit application is being processed. It's common during high-volume periods, such as tax season when the CRA receives a high influx of tax returns.

Rest assured, the status isn't a cause for concern—it simply means your submission is under review. However, the review time can vary, lasting a few days or extending to a few weeks, partly depending on the complexity of the return or application.

Checking Status via CRA Mobile App: MyCRA

Keeping up with technological advancements, the CRA offers another convenient way to handle your tax affairs via their mobile app, MyCRA. Convenient and user-friendly, MyCRA provides an option for taxpayers to check the status of their return or benefits.

Under the "Tax Return Status" section, the "in progress" status means that the return filed is still being processed. It signifies that the CRA is reviewing the details of your submission, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Canada's taxation laws.

Understanding Status via CRA Call Centre

Perhaps, you prefer direct human interaction or are not quite tech-savvy. In that case, the CRA call centre serves as a viable alternative to ascertain the meaning of "in progress" status.

The status, again, implies that your tax return or benefit application has been received by CRA, and it's currently under review. The call centre agents, bound by confidentiality, provide personalized information about your tax matters, including explaining the meaning and implications of an "in progress" status on your file.

Conclusion

While the "in progress" status on the CRA portal can cause some confusion, it's simply a part of the process informing you about your application's phase in the processing pipeline. Whether it's through the website, the mobile app, or the call centre, the CRA provides several ways to understand this status, maintaining transparency in its taxpayer services.

Knowing what "in progress" means and the avenues available to clarify it, you can ease your tax-related worries, contribute responsibly as a Canadian citizen and stay informed about your financial matters.