You got a letter from the CRA or Revenu Québec: what does it mean and what do you do?
Short answer: most letters are routine. A notice of assessment confirms your return was processed, a reassessment means something changed, and a review letter asks you to prove an amount you claimed. Read the date and the deadline first. If you disagree with an assessment, you generally have 90 days from the date of the notice to object, and individuals often get until one year after the filing deadline.
Which letter did you get?
Québec residents deal with two tax authorities, so you may get two letters about the same year, one from each. They are separate files. Answering the CRA does not answer Revenu Québec.
- Notice of assessment. Sent after your return is processed. It shows your refund or balance and, federally, your RRSP limit. Compare it to the return you filed.
- Notice of reassessment. Something was changed after the first assessment. The explanation section tells you what and why.
- Review or request for documents. The CRA asks for receipts or proof. Some reviews happen before the assessment, others after it. One program compares your return to slips sent by employers and banks. Revenu Québec sends similar requests.
- Balance owing or collections notice. A reminder to pay, with interest running.
How to respond to a request for documents
- Note the deadline in the letter. The CRA asks you to reply within the time frame it gives; there is no single standard number of days.
- Send exactly what is asked. Receipts, slips, a letter from a daycare, a mileage log. Add a short written explanation if a document is missing.
- Upload rather than mail. With the CRA, you or your authorized representative can submit documents online through your CRA account. By mail, include the reference number printed on the letter.
- Ask for more time if you need it. Call the number on the letter before the deadline.
If you don't answer a review, the amount you claimed can be denied and your return reassessed.
Deadlines to object
- CRA. For individuals, the deadline is the later of one year after the filing deadline for that return, or 90 days from the date on the notice. You can object online through your CRA account or with Form T400A.
- Revenu Québec. Normally 90 days from the date of the notice of assessment. For individuals, the limit can be one year after the filing deadline when that later date is to your advantage. You can object online in My Account, with form MR-93.1.1-V or by letter.
Revenu Québec suggests contacting the person named on the letter, or client services, before filing an objection. Many errors are fixed this way.
Example with dates
Your 2025 return was due April 30, 2026. The CRA sends a notice of reassessment dated July 10, 2026. Ninety days from that date is October 8, 2026. One year after the filing deadline is April 30, 2027. Your federal deadline to object is the later date: April 30, 2027. Do not count on that by default; check each notice, and when in doubt, object early.
Is it a scam?
Fake CRA and Revenu Québec messages are common. According to the CRA, it never:
- Demands payment by gift cards, crypto, prepaid cards or Interac e-Transfer.
- Threatens arrest, deportation or prison.
- Texts you or writes on WhatsApp or Messenger, except multi-factor sign-in codes, if you chose to get them by phone.
- Sends a refund by text or e-Transfer.
Revenu Québec says its notifications contain no links or attachments and never ask for personal information. To check, hang up and call the number on the official website, or sign in to your account by typing the address yourself.
Want us to deal with it?
Book a free 30-minute session at soleraaccounting.ca/rendez-vous or call 450 612-7223. Bring the letter; with your authorization, we read it, answer the CRA or Revenu Québec and file an objection if the numbers are wrong. If you have years to catch up, see behind on taxes. Service in French, English and Arabic.
This article is general information, not personalized tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to object to a CRA assessment?
For individuals, until the later of one year after the filing deadline for that return or 90 days from the date of the notice. You can object online through your CRA account or with Form T400A.
How long do I have to object to a Revenu Québec assessment?
Usually 90 days from the date of the notice. For individuals, the limit can be one year after the filing deadline when that is later. Use My Account, form MR-93.1.1-V or a letter.
I got a text saying I have a tax refund. Is it real?
Almost certainly not. The CRA does not send refunds by text or e-Transfer, and Revenu Québec notifications contain no links. Sign in to your account directly to check.
Sources
- CRA – File an objection: Income tax
- CRA – Types of review
- CRA – Responding to us
- CRA – Scam alerts
- Revenu Québec – Time Limit for Filing a Notice of Objection
- Revenu Québec – How to File a Notice of Objection
- Revenu Québec – Your Options for Recourse
- Revenu Québec – How to Prevent Phishing and Identity Theft
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