Receiving an email from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can be puzzling or even alarming. Many Canadians are unsure if a CRA email is legitimate and what steps to take next. This guide will explain why the CRA might email you, what those emails contain (and don’t contain), and how you should respond. Our goal is to help you confidently handle a legitimate CRA email – and know when to seek professional advice if needed.
What Is a Legitimate CRA Email?
A legitimate email from the CRA is usually a notification rather than a detailed message. In fact, the CRA will only email you in specific situations and will never send sensitive personal details or demands by regular email. Here are key traits of a real CRA email:
- It’s a Notification: The email typically tells you that you have new information or a message waiting in your secure CRA My Account portal. For example, after you file your taxes, you might get an email stating that your Notice of Assessment is available to view online. The email itself won’t contain the Notice or detailed personal tax information – it’s just an alert.
- No Direct Requests for Personal Info or Payment: The CRA’s genuine emails will not ask for personal or financial information, won’t request payments via e-transfer, prepaid cards, etc., and won’t include links to enter sensitive data. If an email asks for your SIN, banking info, or passwords, it’s a red flag of a scam. Legitimate CRA notifications also do not use threatening or aggressive language (they won’t threaten arrest).
- Sender and Format: Real notification emails come from an address that clearly indicates Canada Revenue Agency. The sender name will often appear as “Canada Revenue Agency / Agence du Revenu du Canada”. The email will be in English or French, depending on your preference, and typically won’t have attachments. It may contain instructions to log in to your CRA account but will not contain any unsolicited links or buttons asking you to fill out forms. Be cautious with any links; when in doubt, go directly to the CRA website by typing the URL yourself.
- You Opted In: Generally, you will only receive CRA emails if you have provided your email to the CRA and signed up for “Online Mail” or email notifications. For instance, if you use CRA My Account, you are required to have an email on file for security purposes. This ensures the CRA can notify you of important changes to your account (like an address or direct deposit update) and let you know when new tax correspondence is available online.
Tip: CRA notification emails are no-reply messages. You cannot respond to them via email. Instead, any follow-up or action should be done through your CRA online account or by contacting the CRA directly through official channels.
Why Did the CRA Email Me? (Types of CRA Emails)
The CRA uses email notifications to communicate a few specific things (list of things CRA typically communicates about by email can be found here: canada.ca). Understanding the common types of CRA email notifications can help you figure out why you got one and what to do next. Here are some scenarios in which you might receive a legitimate CRA email:
- New Mail in CRA My Account: If you’ve opted for CRA online mail (electronic correspondence), the CRA will email you whenever a new document or message is delivered to your online account. This could be your annual Notice of Assessment after filing a tax return, a Notice of Reassessment, or other official notices. The email usually says you have “new mail to view in My Account.”
- Notice of Assessment or Reassessment Available: One of the most common CRA emails occurs after you submit your tax return. The CRA will notify you by email that your Notice of Assessment (NOA) is ready to view online. Similarly, if a tax return is reassessed (perhaps you or the CRA made changes), you’ll get an email about a Notice of Reassessment. These notices detail your tax outcome for the year – for example, whether you owe money or are getting a refund. The email itself will not show those details; you must log in to see the NOA document.
- Benefit or Credit Notices: If you receive benefits, the CRA may post benefit notices or account statements to your online account and send you an email alert. For example, you might be notified of a new benefit notice or a statement of account to view online.
- Instalment Reminders: For those who pay tax by instalments, the CRA sometimes issues instalment reminders or statements. If you’ve gone paperless, an email will let you know such a reminder is available in your account. This is essentially a heads-up that an upcoming tax instalment payment is due, with details in the online letter.
- Requests for Information or Documents: The CRA may conduct reviews or audits of tax returns. In some cases, they will send a letter asking for additional information or documentation (for example, proof of an expense or clarification of a claim). If you’ve agreed to online mail, those letters can be delivered to your CRA My Account, and you’d get an email telling you a new letter is available. The email won’t say all the specifics – it will just prompt you to log in to read the letter. (If you still receive paper mail, the CRA would send these by post instead, but you wouldn’t get an email in that case.)
- Confirmation of Changes (Security Alerts): As a security measure, the CRA sends confirmation emails when certain changes are made to your account. For example, if you or your representative update your mailing address or direct deposit information, the CRA will email you to confirm that change. This helps guard against fraud – if you get an email about a change you didn’t authorize, you should sign in and double-check your account immediately. Other changes that trigger emails include changes to your marital status, the addition of an authorized representative, or if your email address on file was updated. These are legitimate CRA emails meant to protect you by alerting you to important updates.
- Online Account Alerts: Beyond correspondence, you might receive optional alerts if you opt in – for example, a notice that you have an uncashed cheque with the CRA, or that a tax slip (like a T4 or RRSP receipt) is available. These are less common and only sent if you specifically chose to get them.
What to Do After Receiving a CRA Email
When you’ve confirmed the CRA email is legitimate, you should take prompt action. Here are the steps to follow and how to respond appropriately:
1. Read the Email for Clues: The email itself is brief, but note what it’s about. Does it say you have “new mail” to view? Or is it specifically a confirmation of a change? Understanding the type of notification will tell you the general reason (e.g., an assessment notice, a document request, a security alert).
2. Log in to CRA My Account: Next, go to the CRA’s website and sign in to your My Account (for individuals) or My Business Account (for businesses). Once inside, navigate to the “Mail” or “Correspondence” section. There you can view the actual message or document the email referred to. For instance, if it was a Notice of Assessment, you’ll find the PDF of your Notice of Assessment ready to open. If it was a letter requesting information, you’ll see the letter details listed. Take the time to open and read the correspondence thoroughly.
3. Understand the Content: Determine what the CRA is communicating. Common possibilities include:
- A Notice of Assessment: This will summarize your tax return result. Check if you have a refund, a balance owing, or no amount. It will also show any adjustments the CRA made. If you owe money, the NOA will provide a due date for payment. Mark that date and plan to pay by then to avoid interest. If you disagree with the assessment (for example, something was disallowed incorrectly), you may need to file an objection or clarify the issue.
- A Request for Documents/Information: The letter will specify what the CRA needs (e.g. receipts, forms, proofs) and a deadline to respond. It might be a part of a routine review or audit. Note the case or reference number if provided – you’ll need to include that with your response. Don’t panic; just gather the requested items. If it’s complex or you’re unsure why they need it, you might want to consult a professional.
- A Simple Confirmation: If the correspondence is confirming an update (like “Your address has been updated in our records”), then no further action may be required other than verifying that the change is correct. If you did update your address or bank info recently, the email is just a receipt of that change. However, if you did not make the change noted, you should contact the CRA immediately – it could mean someone else has accessed your account.
4. Follow the Instructions or Obligations: For a NOA, the instruction may be to pay any owed balance by a certain date, or simply to keep the notice for your records if nothing is owed or if it’s a refund. For information requests, the letter will instruct how to send the documents. In many cases, the CRA letter will mention you can submit the documents online.
5. Submit Documents or Respond (if required): The CRA has made it easier to respond online. If you need to send documents or receipts, use the CRA’s Submit Documents Online service for convenience. This secure service lets you upload electronic copies of the requested documents through your online account. You’ll need the reference number from the CRA letter, and you can attach the files as instructed. For example, if the CRA email/letter asks for proof of an expense, you can scan the receipts and upload them using this system. (The CRA specifically allows you to use this when they have contacted you with a request and given you a case or reference number.) Always send only the documents requested, and ensure they’re clear and legible. After uploading, the system will give you a confirmation number as a receipt. Keep that for your records.
If you prefer or if the online option isn’t working, the letter may also allow mailing or faxing documents. Just be mindful of the deadline – the CRA usually gives a reasonable timeframe (often 30 days, but it can vary). Don’t ignore a CRA request; if you need more time, call them to request an extension.
6. No Action Needed? If the email was just a notification of something like a benefit statement or a minor update that doesn’t require a reply, you may simply archive or save the correspondence for your files. It’s still wise to log in and read it, so you’re aware of any changes. For example, a benefit notice might show how your benefit was calculated. A direct deposit confirmation just needs you to verify the last few digits of the account are correct.
7. Keep Records: Save copies of any important notices (you can download PDFs from the CRA Mail) and note dates. It’s good practice to keep a folder (digital or printed) of CRA communications. This way, if any issue arises later, you have the documentation handy.
Throughout this process, if anything is unclear – for instance, you don’t understand the notice or what the CRA is asking for – do not hesitate to get clarification. You can call the CRA’s inquiries line for basic questions. However, for more complex matters (like large reassessments, audits, or disputes), you may want to seek professional advice.
When to Seek Help (Contacting a Tax Lawyer)
Not every CRA email will require a lawyer or accountant, but some situations do warrant expert help. The goal is to address the CRA’s inquiry correctly and avoid costly mistakes. Consider reaching out for assistance if:
- You’re Facing an Audit or Reassessment: If the CRA’s correspondence indicates you are being audited or they have reassessed your return and you owe a significant amount, professional guidance is invaluable. An expert can help you understand your rights, gather the proper evidence, and even communicate with the CRA on your behalf.
- The Request is Unclear or Complex: Sometimes CRA letters are filled with technical language or you might not be sure what is being asked. Rather than guessing, it’s safer to have a tax professional interpret it. They can also draft a proper response. Misunderstanding a CRA request could lead to sending the wrong info or missing a deadline.
- You Disagree with the CRA’s Notice: If your Notice of Assessment or reassessment seems wrong (maybe the CRA denied a deduction you claimed, resulting in a higher tax bill), you have the right to dispute it. There are formal processes to object to a CRA assessment, usually with a 90-day deadline. A tax lawyer can advise on the merits of your case and help file a Notice of Objection.
- You Feel Overwhelmed or Unsure: It’s normal to feel anxious when dealing with tax matters. If the stress of handling it yourself is too much, bringing in a professional can provide peace of mind. They’ll ensure everything is handled correctly and advocate for you if needed.
At our firm, we offer comprehensive tax services and have experience dealing with all sorts of CRA communications. Whether you’ve received a simple notice or are staring at a complicated audit letter, we can help guide you through the next steps. Often, a short consultation can clarify your situation and options.
