CRA Review Letter Response
Review the CRA request, identify the claims or amounts being verified, organize the required support, and prepare a complete response package.
CRA Audit & Review Support
Received a CRA letter?
Respond with confidence.
We help Canadian individuals and businesses understand CRA review and audit requests, organize supporting records, prepare clear responses, and assess proposed adjustments before deadlines pass.
How we can help
The CRA letter determines the next move.
A review request, full audit, proposal letter, and reassessment are different stages. We first identify exactly what CRA is asking for, then build the response around that scope.
Business & Individual Audit Support
Help coordinate records, explanations, reconciliations, and follow-up questions when CRA examines a broader part of your tax affairs.
Document & Record Assembly
Organize ledgers, invoices, receipts, bank records, contracts, working papers, and other documents requested by CRA in a reviewable format.
Audit Proposal Review
Analyze CRA's proposed adjustments, compare them to the filed return and supporting records, and help prepare a factual response before the response period expires.
Reassessment Analysis
Explain the tax changes, penalties or interest shown on a Notice of Reassessment and identify what information may still be relevant to resolve the issue.
Objection Preparation Support
Where an objection is appropriate, help organize the facts, calculations, supporting documents, and reasons for dispute. Specialized legal representation can be coordinated where needed.
Review vs. audit
They are not the same thing.
CRA uses several review programs to verify specific information on filed returns. A tax audit is usually broader and can involve a detailed examination of books, records, transactions, and supporting information.
CRA Review
Focused verification
Often starts with a letter asking for documents that support one or more items on a return.
✓May relate to deductions, credits, income matching, or a specific claim
✓CRA may request receipts, statements, explanations, or other supporting documents
✓A timely, complete response can prevent avoidable adjustments caused by missing information
CRA Audit
Broader examination
Can examine accounting records and supporting documents for a business or individual and may involve follow-up questions with an auditor.
✓May include ledgers, journals, invoices, receipts, contracts, rental records and bank statements
✓Can include accounting adjustments and records connected to related persons or entities where relevant
✓Ends with no change, a reassessment, or in some cases a reduction/refund
30
Days to respond to proposed audit findingsCRA states that when an audit proposes changes, the taxpayer generally has 30 days to agree or disagree with the written proposal and provide supporting explanations or documents.
Official references: CRA , Responding to a review · CRA , What you should know about audits
What CRA may request
Build the response from the records,not from memory.
The exact request varies, but CRA audit and review work commonly depends on clear supporting records and a traceable explanation of the amount reported.
Bank statements
Sales invoices
Purchase receipts
Ledgers & journals
Contracts & agreements
Credit-card statements
Rental records
Tax working papers
GST/HST returns
Payroll records
Capital-asset support
Written explanations
CRA notes that records can include ledgers, journals, financial statements, tax returns, invoices, receipts, contracts, bank records, working papers and correspondence. Many income-tax records should generally be retained for at least six years, although exceptions can apply. CRA , Keeping records
Our process
A controlled response from first letter to next step.
We keep the work tied to the CRA correspondence, the records available, and the deadlines that apply to your file.
STEP 01
Read the CRA letter
We identify the program, tax year, items under review, requested documents, reference number, and response deadline.
STEP 02
Reconcile the filed position
We compare the return to your accounting records and supporting documents so differences are understood before anything is sent.
STEP 03
Prepare the response
We organize the requested documents and explanations into a focused package that directly addresses CRA's questions.
STEP 04
Assess the outcome
We review follow-up questions, proposed changes, or reassessments and help determine the appropriate next step.
Who we help
For taxpayers facing a request they do not want to handle alone.
The engagement is scoped to the CRA letter and the records available. Where authorization is appropriate, we can also help coordinate communications and document submissions.
✓Individuals receiving CRA review letters
✓Self-employed taxpayers
✓Owner-managed corporations
✓GST/HST registrants
✓Landlords and rental-property owners
✓Businesses selected for audit
✓Taxpayers reviewing proposed adjustments
✓Clients considering a Notice of Objection
Frequently asked questions
Before you respond to CRA.
Is a CRA review the same as an audit?
No. A review is often a focused verification of a particular claim or amount. An audit is generally broader and may examine books, records, transactions, and supporting documents in more detail.
Do I have to answer a CRA document request?
You should deal with the request by the deadline shown in the CRA letter. CRA advises taxpayers to provide the requested supporting documents and reference number. If documents are unavailable or more time is needed, the appropriate CRA contact should be addressed promptly.
Can Taxellence communicate with CRA for me?
Where the engagement scope and CRA authorization permit, an authorized representative can submit documents or communicate on a client's behalf. We will tell you what authorization is needed for your file.
What happens if an auditor proposes an adjustment?
CRA generally provides a written proposal and gives the taxpayer 30 days to agree or disagree. This is an important stage to provide explanations and supporting documents before the audit is finalized.
Does an audit always mean I will owe more tax?
No. CRA states that an audit can close with no adjustment, result in more tax owing, or result in less tax owing and a refund, depending on the findings.
What if I disagree with a reassessment?
A formal objection may be available, subject to strict deadlines and procedural rules. We can help review the reassessment and organize the accounting and tax support; legal counsel may be appropriate for complex disputes or Tax Court proceedings.
Book a consultation
Received a CRA letter? Start with the deadline.
Send us the CRA correspondence and tell us whether you have already responded. We’ll identify the stage, the information being requested, and the practical next steps before work begins.