Your tax return is being reviewed. What happens now?

How will I know I'm being reviewed?

You'll get a letter or a telephone call from us. We'll ask for information, receipts, or documents to support a claim or deduction you made on your income tax return.

If you're registered for online mail, the CRA will put your letter in My Account. You'll get an email telling you that you have new mail on My Account. Go to My Account right away to view your online letter. 

If you haven't already, register for My Account to make sure you can read your online mail. Don't miss out on important notices and letters. Sign up today!

Now what?

If you receive a letter or a phone call telling you that your income tax return is being reviewed, don't panic. We review approximately 3 million tax returns every year under our income tax review programs.

These reviews help make sure your tax return is accurate and that our tax system is looking out for all Canadians. They confirm that income amounts, deductions and credits are reported correctly, and can be properly supported.

It's important to know that a review is not a tax audit. In most cases, it's simply a routine check to ensure that the information you provided on your return is correct.

Keep calm and respond

It's important that you reply and send all the information requested as soon as possible. This will help the CRA review your file quickly. If you need help, we'll work with you to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

If you receive a request from us asking for documents or receipts, you should reply within the timeframe provided. We'll tell you how to send us your documents. Make sure you include all the information we ask for, and that the copies of your documents are clear and easy to read.

Keep your receipts and records

Keep all your tax documents for at least six years from the date you file your tax return. If you claimed expenses, deductions or tax credits, make sure you keep all your receipts and related documents in case the CRA asks to see them.

Keep your information up to date with the CRA

To make sure you are getting our letters, notices and other important correspondence, make sure you let us know right away if you move or change your address. If you're registered for online mail, you should also tell us if your email address has changed.

We're here to help

Call the number provided in your letter if you can't get the documents we're asking for, have any questions, or if you need more time to reply. We can help and we can also give you more time to respond if you need it. If you don't reply, we may adjust your income tax return and your claim or deduction might be disallowed.

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