01First, take a breath
Most letters from the Canada Revenue Agency are routine: a confirmation, a request for a receipt, or a small adjustment. What matters is reading it closely and noting any date it gives you. Ignoring a letter is the one thing that reliably makes it worse.
02Check that it’s really the CRA
Scammers often pretend to be the CRA. The real CRA will never:
- Demand payment by gift card, prepaid credit card, or cryptocurrency.
- Threaten you with arrest or deportation.
When in doubt, sign in to CRA My Account to see your real mail, or call the CRA at the number listed on canada.ca. Never use the phone number in a message you’re unsure about.
03Know which letter you have
- Notice of Assessment: the CRA’s summary of your return after they process it. Check that it matches what you filed.
- Notice of Reassessment: the CRA has changed your return. If you disagree, this one starts a clock.
- Review or request for information: the CRA wants proof, like receipts or slips. It gives a date to respond by.
- Collections notice: there’s a balance owing. Act quickly, even if you plan to dispute it.
04Watch the deadlines
If you disagree with an assessment or reassessment, you can file a formal objection. For most individuals, the deadline is whichever comes later:
- One year after the filing due date for that tax year.
- 90 days after the date on the notice.
Corporations generally have 90 days from the date on the notice. Review letters set their own response date, and missing it can mean the CRA decides without your documents.
05Gather what they asked for
Collect exactly what the letter lists, plus anything that explains it. Keep copies of everything you send, and note the date you sent it. If you can’t get something in time, contact the CRA before the deadline to ask for more time.
06How we help
With your permission, we can be authorized to deal with the CRA for you through its Represent a Client service. We read the letter, tell you what it means in plain words, prepare the response, and handle the back and forth. Send us a photo or scan of the letter to start.
This guide is general information, not advice for your situation. Rules change and details matter, so talk to us before you act.
