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Email this10:29 am
February 10, 2018
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Has anyone here ever been audited? I filed on the night of March 14 and CRA shows my return as "processing", yet I've received absolutely no communication about submitting extra documents, receipts, etc. Never before has it taken more than 7-10 days for NOA and direct deposit to my bank account. Less than $1,000 due to me and my return is not even very complicated. (Four or five stock sales, bought some RRSP, but nothing I haven't done before)
1:00 pm
November 21, 2015
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If you too anxious, simply call CRA: 1-800-959-8281. Otherwise, if you have the confirmation No. of your submission, you'll be fine. It takes, whatever it takes.
We've been audited numerous times. Turnaround varies from three months to three (3) business days. Latest CRA request received 2022mar28, docs submitted electronically at night on the same day, "Dear sir," e-letter received 2022apr04, "we do not need to make any changes".
We had three (3) audits, within five years, for the same PENSION line. I even called them to ask, if I really need to submit the documents again. "Yep". Go figure.
1:13 pm
March 30, 2017
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If your return is simple and you are getting a refund, just relax.
I wont even call in, as it may actually "mess things up" for you.
To give you a real life example, one year I forgot to put down the tax center for my paper return when I drop it in the drop box, so I called them few weeks later to confirm if they did receive it properly. The "genius" I talked to on the phone put down "filer request reassessment !" on my file. Next thing you know I received a reassessment letter and the "genius" that did the reassessment "doubled up" on a few T5s, and said I owned an extra $10k+ in tax. Took me over 1 year to finally have it all sorted out as they ended up assigned as "senior auditor" to look after my file. It was a complete nightmare to try the "show" them what they did wrong, since there is no face-to-face NOR even a phone call live conversation to even talk to the person that got assigned the file.
Long story short, just sit tight, relax, you will be fine.
1:46 pm
February 10, 2018
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Thanks for the replies. I did lookup the number to call but chickened out upon seeing the "current wait time" estimated at 1h 40min. (I am so cheap and averse to phone conversations that I use a prepaid /pay-by-minute cell).
For those who were audited, or requested to send documents, how does CRA contact you? By phone, email, or Canada Post? Is it always by e-letter as Julio suggested with his experience described above?
2:08 pm
October 27, 2013
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The subject title is misleading. A CRA audit is far different than simple requests for documentation. An actual audit is closer to a lobotomy and you would know it when you see it.
I've had a few requests over the past 20 years and it was done by Canada Post mail, and it's only been for medical expense claims. Such document requests may well be done electronically now, e.g. getting an email to check your MyAccount Inbox online.
You didn't say whether you Netfiled or snail mailed your tax return on March 14th. I would suggest there is nothing to worry about as long as status is "processing". It means it is active even if it is hung up somewhere. Give it at least another month before inquiring further and even then, the only thing I'd say at that time is 'status has been showing processing' for a long time.
2:21 pm
November 21, 2015
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NEVER open an email from CRA (they do not communicate via emails), and NEVER listen to a phone call as soon at it states "CRA", or "important tax info", or similar.
The last audit, as described above, was, strangely, received by Canada Post. Having e-communication setup, I immediately logged in to CRA to verify. And yes, there it was, the exact copy.
ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC: There was a discussion, on this site, I believe last month, about splitting T5s. This last audit was exactly about that T5 splitting. "Prove, that someone else claimed the remaining percentages, (not origins of principal), that do not show on your tax return". By the way, it was split three way, and I provided the 'T1-SUPP' of all involved.
3:47 pm
September 11, 2013
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I agree, AltaRed, "audit" is being used incorrectly here. An audit is a review of your entire return, maybe even a few returns going back in time, I've never met a single person who has had a CRA audit unless they were running a business of some sort, or rental properties. Requests for clarification or supporting docs regarding a line or two on a return is not even close to an "audit".
5:00 pm
October 27, 2013
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julio said
NEVER open an email from CRA (they do not communicate via emails), and NEVER listen to a phone call as soon at it states "CRA", or "important tax info", or similar.
The last audit, as described above, was, strangely, received by Canada Post. Having e-communication setup, I immediately logged in to CRA to verify. And yes, there it was, the exact copy.
You didn't read my post carefully enough. If you are signed up for email notifications, CRA does send an email to you advising you to look in MyAccount Inbox for important mail. That is where one will find their electronic NOA, Installment payment notices, etc. It is no different than a bank alert saying you made an Interac e-transfer, etc.
5:24 pm
March 30, 2017
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AltaRed said
You didn't read my post carefully enough. If you are signed up for email notifications, CRA does send an email to you advising you to look in MyAccount Inbox for important mail. That is where one will find their electronic NOA, Installment payment notices, etc. It is no different than a bank alert saying you made an Interac e-transfer, etc.
once sign up for email notification, once wont receive any snail mail communication.
An email from CRA may be real, an email from CRA with links on it to click thru are 100% fake. CRA email will only tell you to login to ur MyAccount to retrieve the notification, it never includes any links for you to click thru. It wont even communicate any info why they contact you other than ask you to "log in to your MyAccount"
7:22 am
March 15, 2019
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Does anyone know if they unsealed the CRA drop off box at 1 Front Street Toronto?
4:52 pm
February 4, 2017
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Bill said
I agree, AltaRed, "audit" is being used incorrectly here. An audit is a review of your entire return, maybe even a few returns going back in time, I've never met a single person who has had a CRA audit unless they were running a business of some sort, or rental properties. Requests for clarification or supporting docs regarding a line or two on a return is not even close to an "audit".
Exactly. Farms, businesses big and small, and blatant misreporting can trigger an audit.
I've never been audited but have been asked to submit receipts a couple of times.
I'm friendly with an accountant who has kids working for the Cra so get a little inside info. With that said, I keep questions to a minimum.
1:40 pm
February 10, 2018
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AltaRed said
The subject title is misleading. A CRA audit is far different than simple requests for documentation. ...
You didn't say whether you Netfiled or snail mailed your tax return on March 14th.
You missed the question mark in my title 😉
I don't know whether I'm being audited; I don't know whether the CRA wants documentation for a review; I don't know anything -- apart from my return taking now almost a month to process, whereas every other year it has, like clockwork, resulted in a refund deposited to my bank account after little more than a week. No messages in my CRA email or DM box or whatever it's called. Yes, I know not to trust text messages or emails that ask for account details. (And, yes, sorry but in my first post I did neglect mentioning that I'd NETfiled on the 14th, though I did it long after business hours so I guess I can't count that as a day waiting 
)
Thanks again everyone for the comments. I guess I'll sit tight and continue waiting, and hoping that the worst-case scenario in my title question isn't answered in the affirmative.
10:26 pm
February 4, 2017
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I talked to my accountant friend and he said they could be reviewing past returns based on something they noted on this return. They may ask for clarification and/or documents. No need to worry unless you cheated. The good news is they rarely jail folk for income tax fraud.
5:26 am
November 8, 2018
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When I used Netfile, I got "Express Notice of Assessment" instantly. It were followed by NOA a week later, and I also received notification when my NOA will be available.
As you do expect a refund, I wonder if something in your tax return triggered red flags. For example, if you recently changed mailing address or direct deposit information.
Also, have you entered "Access Code" in your current tax return from your previous year NOA, or not? Yes, I know: it is optional, but still.
I hope you also saved "CRA NetFile confirmation number." I use TurboTax, that number is provided in the app after tax return is submitted electronically.
In any case, because it is government that owes you money, there is not much trouble for you to wait till they get to your return.
When you finally get your return processed, and if CRA provides you reason for delay, please post it here. Your situation is not very common (I hope) and would be nice to know what was the trigger for CRA delay, to avoid it.
5:40 am
March 30, 2017
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Under My Account, on the right hand side, there is a new section
"Progress tracker
View the status of files that you have submitted to CRA. Files shown are in progress or have been completed in the past 30 days. Progress tracker
View all files"
You can try to click on that to see if its showing any more detailed progress.
Either way if its a delay by CRA and you receive your refund late, they will pay you interest on top without you asking. They are fair from that perspective.
6:08 am
September 11, 2013
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I'm not sure how reliable Progress Tracker is, they're actively working on docs I've submitted (they told me) and it shows nothing under my Progress Tracker.
Something's clearly hanging up odinson's return, if it was me I'd just call them to make sure it's not "lost" in some way, not a big deal to contact them if you've nothing to hide. Call just after they open, plus I've found their waiting time estimate is usually overstated, probably trying to get people to give up, hang up.
9:44 am
March 15, 2019
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On a somewhat related question. How are you paying the balance owing on your tax return (for those not waiting for a refund)?
a) Online
b) Paying at the bank
c) Mailing in a cheque
d) Putting a cheque in the CRA dropbox at 1 Front Street.
8:45 am
February 10, 2018
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Alexandre said if you recently changed ...direct deposit information.
That may be it; I updated DD just a few days before filing.
Regarding the other comments: I entered the required code before filing, saved the Netfile confirmation number, etc., everything as usual.
I don't recall ever seeing a "Progress Tracker" feature but I'll check again. The page simply reads, "Your 2021 Tax Return is being processed," and clicking the attached arrow just links to an explanation (but without much real detail) of what "being processed" means.
9:06 am
February 10, 2018
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Checked again: no change. I see now the Progress Tracker, which reads, "Our records show you have no files being tracked at this time."
I wonder whether this applies not to Tax Returns but only to files such as supporting documents (for which I've not yet been asked).
2:21 pm
February 10, 2018
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Mystery solved:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/some-teachers-expecting-tax-return-delays-as-they-await-government-action-on-bill-with-new-credit-1.5873006
Bill C-8 has now received Royal Assent and my Return has been processed. $$ comes next week.
(But nothing in MyAccount on CRA indicates any added interest 
...wouldn't have been more than a few dollars anyway, I think)
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