15 Stages Of A Canada Revenue
Agency GST/HST Audit
September 14, 2016
If you have never been audited before, you probably have no idea what to expect. Most audits follow the same 15 stages (more or less). On the taxpayer’s side of things, each stage is stressful.
- CRA Selection Process: The taxpayer usually has no involvement in this process. It all happens behind the scenes and the taxpayer can only guess why their name was selected. Sometimes the taxpayer is randomly selected. Sometimes the taxpayer is selected as a result of the industry segment in which they operate. Sometimes the taxpayer is selected because of something in a filing with the CRA. Sometimes the taxpayer is selected because of a tip made to the CRA.
- The Audit Letter: The taxpayer receives a letter from the CRA notifying them that they are to be audited. Normally, the taxpayer is asked to contact the CRA auditor. However, sometimes the auditor just shows up at the business premises.
- The CRA letter requesting certain documents: Usually the CRA auditor will send to the taxpayer a letter indicating what documents need to be provided before the initial meeting at the taxpayer’s premises or what documents must be available for the first day of the audit.
- Initial Meeting: If the audit occurs at the taxpayer’s premises, the auditor will have a meeting at the start of the audit. The auditor explains what is expected during the audit. The taxpayer should also communicate to the auditor what is expected. The taxpayer may indicate that the auditor must deal with a specific person so that the entire organization does not end up working for the auditor.
- Fieldwork: The on-site audit is the fieldwork stage. The fieldwork can take place over a few days or over a lengthy period of time.
- Office work: Usually the auditor will take information back to the CRA offices and work on the audit from the CRA premises.
- Follow-up questions: It is common for the CRA auditor to contact the taxpayer after the fieldwork stage of the audit. Sometimes additional documents are requested. Sometimes additional questions are asked.
- Preliminary Report: The CRA auditor will prepare a proposal and send it to the taxpayer for comment. Usually a proposed assessment number is provided to the taxpayer.
- Response Letter: The taxpayer has an opportunity to change the minds of the CRA. This is the best opportunity to stop an incorrect assessment from being issued.
- Notice of Re-assessment: The CRA auditor sends to the taxpayer the Notice of Reassessment setting out how much is being assessed.
- CRA Collections: As of the date of the Notice of Re-assessment, a debt is due to Her Majesty. CRA Collections may start collection activities immediately after the Notice of Re-Assessment is issued.
- Notice of Objection: If a taxpayer disagrees with a Notice of Re-Assessment, the taxpayer can file a Notice of Objection.
- Objection: The taxpayer will communicate with a CRA Appeals Officer and the re-assessment will either be confirmed, amended or reversed.
- Notice of Appeal: Assuming that not all the issues are addressed in the objection stage, a taxpayer may file an appeal with the Tax Court of Canada.
- Day in Tax Court: A taxpayer will have their day(s) in the Tax Court of Canada if the appeal is not settled. A Tax Court judge will listen to the parties and render a judgement.
For more information, please contact Cyndee Todgham Cherniak at 416-307-4168 or at cyndee@lexsage.com. We have many useful articles about tax audits under Free Information – Sales Tax, Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Articles.
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