The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is responsible for ensuring that individuals and businesses in Canada comply with tax laws. While most taxpayers strive to file accurate and honest tax returns, there are certain triggers that may increase the likelihood of being selected for a CRA audit. A tax audit can be a time-consuming and stressful process, potentially resulting in penalties, interest, or even criminal charges if non-compliance is found.
To protect yourself from a potential CRA audit, it's important to be aware of the top CRA audit triggers and take steps to avoid them. In this article, we will explore the top CRA audit triggers to avoid and provide actionable tips to keep yourself in good standing.
One of the fundamental requirements of filing a tax return is accurately reporting your income. Neglecting to report income, whether intentionally or unintentionally, is a surefire way to attract the CRA audit triggers and catch attention of the CRA. It is crucial to include all income earned from T-slips, such as T4 slips received from employers, as the CRA receives copies of these slips directly. Failing to report all income will raise red flags and increase the likelihood of being audited. To avoid this trigger, maintain thorough records of all income transactions, including cash payments, and ensure that they are properly reported on your tax return.
Consistency in reporting credits and deductions is another key factor that the CRA considers when reviewing tax returns. Any sudden and significant changes in your credits or deductions from one year to another may raise suspicions and trigger a review or audit. It is important to document all activities and transactions thoroughly to support your claims. Whether you are self-employed, a small business owner, or an individual taxpayer, maintaining detailed records and providing accurate documentation will help you avoid unnecessary scrutiny.
Claiming unusually high expenses can raise red flags for the CRA and increase the likelihood of a tax audit. While it's essential to deduct eligible business expenses, it's equally important to ensure that your claims are reasonable and supported by proper documentation. The CRA compares the expenses claimed by taxpayers within the same industry, and significant deviations may attract their attention. Another basic CRA review technique is to compare expenses claimed to the amount deducted in previous years. If you are claiming a large amount of expenses in one year, it's important to be able to justify a valid reason for the increase.
For example, if you purchased expensive equipment or incurred higher costs due to an expansion of your business, you should have the necessary documentation to back up your claims. Also, it's important to ensure that all your expenses are related to your business operations and not personal in nature. Always keep accurate records and receipts for all business expenses as they can help support your claims in case of an audit. Finally, if you are unsure about any deductions or have questions regarding CRA regulations, don't hesitate to seek professional advice from a qualified tax accountant.
If the CRA has questions or concerns about your tax return, they may send you a request for information. It is crucial to cooperate fully and respond promptly to these requests. Failure to provide the requested information can escalate the situation and potentially lead to an audit. By promptly addressing the CRA's concerns and providing the necessary documentation, you can help alleviate any doubts and prevent further action from being taken.
For self-employed individuals or those who work from home, claiming a home office expense deduction is a common practice. However, it is important to ensure that your home office deductions are reasonable and in compliance with the CRA's guidelines. Claiming an excessive percentage of your home's floor space as a home office may raise suspicions and result in attracting the CRA audit triggers. Only claim a dedicated space used primarily for business purposes and avoid including personal spaces like kitchens or bedrooms.
It's essential to accurately calculate the proportion of your home used for business and ensure your claims are reasonable and supported by documentation. Be precise, reasonable, and follow the CRA's home office deductions guidelines when calculating and claiming home office deductions to avoid triggering an audit.
Vehicle expenses are another area where taxpayers need to be cautious to avoid attracting the attention of the CRA. If you use a vehicle for business purposes, it is essential to accurately claim vehicle expenses on your tax return. Writing off 100% of your vehicle expenses without proper documentation or justification may raise concerns for the CRA. To avoid triggering an audit, it's crucial to maintain accurate records of your business-related vehicle use and follow the CRA's guidelines for claiming these expenses. Keep a log of each trip, including the date, destination, purpose, and mileage. Utilizing automated vehicle mileage record apps can simplify this process and provide concrete evidence to support your claims.
Consistently reporting business losses year after year can raise concerns for the CRA and potentially attract CRA audit triggers. While it's not uncommon for new businesses to experience initial start-up losses, it's essential to demonstrate a reasonable expectation of profit. If your business shows repeated losses without a clear plan for improvement, the CRA may question the legitimacy of your business and disallow your expenses. In order to avoid an audit, it is necessary for you to show that you had a "reasonable expectation of profit." Failing to do so may result in the denial of your expenses.
The same logic applies to reporting losses year after year from rental properties. While it is reasonable to claim a loss in a particular year due to repairs or vacancies, consecutive losses may raise suspicions. To ensure you don't trigger an audit from CRA, be prepared to provide well-documented records of your rental property expenses and demonstrate that your rental activities are conducted with the intention of making a profit.
This is also one of the common CRA audit triggers that one doesn't think about often. The CRA compares tax returns to industry to identify inconsistencies that may indicate potential non-compliance. If your reported income significantly deviates from the average for your industry and location, it may trigger an audit. It is important to ensure that your reported income aligns with industry standards and the economic realities of your location.
In addition, certain industries are more likely to attract the attention of the CRA due to specific risks associated with their operations. Sectors with a high volume of cash transactions, such as restaurants and construction, are particularly susceptible to audits. If your business operates in a high-risk industry, it's important to be diligent in your tax reporting and ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations.
Having a history of previous tax audits or facing issues in previous audits can increase the likelihood of being selected for future audits. The CRA may consider taxpayers who have been audited before as higher risk factors due to errors or omissions in their tax returns. If you have faced a tax audit in the past, it's important to review and address any issues identified during the audit. By taking proactive measures to correct previous errors and ensuring accurate reporting in subsequent tax returns, you can minimize the risk of being audited again.
In conclusion, understanding the top CRA audit triggers is crucial for protecting your business. By accurately reporting income, maintaining consistency in credits and deductions, promptly responding to requests for information, and claiming reasonable expenses, you can minimize the risk of triggering a CRA audit. It's important to understand that a tax audit doesn't necessarily mean that you have done something wrong; it simply means that the CRA wants to verify the information provided on your return. If errors are identified during the audit, it's important that they are addressed promptly in order to minimize penalties or interest charges.
If you are currently going through a CRA audit and are looking for an accountant in Hamilton for professional guidance, contact us today. We are a full service accounting firm in Hamilton that has experienced tax experts to cater to all your tax needs.
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Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is intended to provide general information. The information does not take into account your personal situation and is not intended to be used without consultation from accounting/tax professionals. NBG Chartered Professional Accountant Professional Corporation will not be held liable for any problems that arise from the usage of the information provided on this page.
