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For most individual taxpayers, the chance of being selected for a full CRA audit in a given year is generally under 1% based on publicly reported CRA audit activity compared with the volume of returns filed. That said, “audit” is often used to describe several different CRA processes. Understanding the difference – plus knowing common audit triggers – helps you file more confidently and respond calmly if the CRA contacts you. Why CRA audit odds are usually unde…
If you’ve filed a Notice of Objection to challenge a CRA assessment (income tax or GST/HST), the question is usually simple: How long will CRA take? CRA now publishes monthly updates showing average time to assign an appeals officer and resolve an objection, based on complexity level (low, medium, high).  This article explains current CRA timelines, how processing time has changed historically, and when it makes sense to speak with a tax lawyer if delays put you…
GST looks simple on paper: 5% federal tax on most goods and services. In real life, GST/HST issues are one of the fastest ways businesses end up with CRA reassessments, denied refunds, penalties, and interest. This guide covers: what GST is (and when it’s actually HST, not GST) the $30,000 “small supplier” trap taxable vs zero‑rated vs exempt (and why this matters for ITCs) how to charge, claim, file, and remit correctly the CRA’s most common aud…
If you’re trying to solve a CRA balance problem – missing payments, credits in the wrong period, interest that won’t stop, or collection pressure – an online “balance screen” usually isn’t enough. What you need is a detailed Statement of Account: the CRA’s transaction-by-transaction ledger showing what was posted, when it was posted, and where it was applied (by period). And yes—there’s a right way to request it so you actually receive something useful. This…
An RRSP over-contribution is one of those mistakes that feels small but can become expensive fast – because the CRA’s penalty tax runs monthly and can keep running until the excess is eliminated. This guide walks you through: What the CRA considers an “excess contribution” How the 1% per month tax is calculated and when it stops The exact forms that usually matter A practical, step-by-step plan to fix the issue and minimize total cost The mos…