Corporate CRA Audit & Representation

Share the notice with us-we'll triage and respond. When CRA contacts your corporation with an audit notice or information request, it's important to share the notice with us immediately so we can assess the situation and develop an appropriate response strategy. We review the notice to understand what CRA is requesting, determine the scope and complexity of the audit, and identify what documents and information will be needed. We then develop a response plan, establish timelines, and coordinate document preparation. However, timely response depends on receiving the notice promptly and providing authorization for us to represent you. CRA typically provides deadlines for responses, and missing deadlines can result in assessments or penalties. We work to respond efficiently, but timely notification and authorization are essential for effective representation. We'll triage the notice, assess requirements, and coordinate an appropriate response strategy.

Yes-we represent you throughout the process. We attend meetings with CRA auditors on your behalf, ensuring your interests are protected and responses are handled professionally. CRA meetings may be in-person, by phone, or video conference, and we coordinate attendance based on CRA's preferences and your authorization. During meetings, we present documentation, answer CRA questions, clarify issues, and work toward resolution. However, effective representation requires proper authorization-we need Power of Attorney (POA) or authorization forms completed and submitted to CRA before we can represent you in meetings or communications. Meeting attendance depends on CRA scheduling and your authorization, so we coordinate efficiently but cannot guarantee specific meeting dates or outcomes. We represent you throughout the entire audit process, from initial notice through resolution, ensuring professional handling of all interactions with CRA.

We aim to minimize disruptions with clear schedules. CRA audits can be time-consuming and may require document preparation, meetings, and responses that could affect your operations. We work to minimize disruptions by establishing clear schedules, coordinating document requests efficiently, and handling communications on your behalf. We provide advance notice of required actions, coordinate timelines to avoid conflicts with critical business periods, and streamline document preparation processes. However, audit timelines depend on CRA schedules, complexity of issues, and completeness of documentation, so some operational impact may be unavoidable. We communicate clearly about timelines and requirements, but timely document submission and availability for meetings when needed are essential. Our goal is to handle audit matters efficiently while allowing your business to continue operating normally, but some coordination with your team may be necessary for document access and information gathering.

CRA document requests vary by audit type but commonly include financial statements, accounting records, source documents, tax returns, and supporting documentation. For GST/HST audits, CRA typically requests purchase invoices, sales records, and ITC supporting documentation. For payroll audits, CRA requests payroll records, remittance filings, T4 slips, and employee documentation. For corporate tax audits, CRA requests financial statements, general ledgers, source documents, and supporting schedules. We manage document requests by organizing your records, identifying required documents, preparing document packages, and submitting responses within CRA deadlines. However, document preparation depends on having complete, organized records available, and missing or incomplete documents can delay responses or trigger additional CRA requests. We coordinate document gathering efficiently, but timely access to complete records is essential. We also help organize records if they're not already organized, but organization takes time and may affect response timelines.

After CRA completes the audit, they issue a notice of assessment or reassessment showing any adjustments, additional tax, penalties, or interest. If the audit results in no changes, you receive confirmation that the audit is complete with no adjustments. If CRA proposes adjustments, you have the right to object and appeal within specified time limits. We review audit results, explain any adjustments, discuss options for objection or appeal if needed, and help implement any required changes to returns or records. Post-audit steps may include filing amended returns if adjustments are accepted, paying any additional tax and interest, or filing objections if you disagree with CRA's position. We coordinate post-audit actions, but outcomes depend on audit results and your decisions about whether to accept or challenge adjustments. We also help ensure future compliance by addressing any issues identified during the audit and implementing processes to prevent similar issues.