Understanding the CRA Audit: How Many Years Back Can They Go?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a federal agency that administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories. Whether you're a small business trying to get ahead or an individual taxpayer, it's important to understand an aspect of the CRA's duties—the CRA Audit. Particularly, how many years back can they go during an audit? In this article, we'll explore this subject in detail and provide options about how you can communicate with CRA, including through their website, mobile app, and call centre.

Understanding the CRA Audit

An audit is a thorough examination of your financial records by the CRA to verify that the income and deductions reported on your tax return are accurate. If you’re audited and the CRA discovers discrepancies, you may owe more tax, plus interest and penalties.

CRA Audit: How Many Years Back Can They Audit?

According to the CRA, they can go back up to six years from the date of your tax filing and examine your financial statements. These six years are known as the “normal reassessment period”. There are exceptions, however. If there is a suspicion of fraud or misrepresentation, the CRA can go as far back as they want.

Engaging with CRA: Website, Mobile App, and Call Centre

For navigating any complexities related to a CRA audit, there are three primary options provided by the Government of Canada – their official website, the CRA mobile app, and the CRA call centre.

The CRA Website

The Canadian government provides a comprehensive website where you can manage your tax profiles, understand audit processes, and get answers to frequently asked questions about audits.

From finding auditor contact information to managing your account and accessing resources for understanding the audit process, the CRA website has it all. The navigation is simple, and the site-hosted resources are comprehensive, making the website a go-to tool for most taxpayers.

The CRA Mobile App

The Canada Revenue Agency also offers a mobile app, called MyCRA, available for iOS and Android devices. MyCRA is convenient and user-friendly, allowing for access to your tax information wherever you are.

MyCRA provides many of the same services as the website, including applying for benefits or credits, viewing the status of your audit, and dealing with post-audit processes. It also allows you to send documents to the CRA securely.

The CRA Call Centre

If you prefer one-on-one assistance, the CRA call centre is another helpful tool, and it's just a phone call away. In addition to the general helpline, there are dedicated lines for certain services and enquiries about the audit process, giving you direct access to live agents who can help you navigate the intricacies of an audit.

Understand, Prepare, Engage

In conclusion, it’s important to understand the scope of a CRA audit, and be prepared for any outcome. With the options provided by the Canadian government and the CRA, you can tackle any audit with clarity and confidence. From the official website to the mobile app and the call centre services, you have various methods at your disposal to stay informed and respond effectively.