A letter from the Canada Revenue Agency asking for information can feel like a warning shot. For many people, the first instinct is panic — followed quickly by the urge to put the letter back in the envelope and deal with it later. But a CRA Request for Information is one of the most routine letters the agency sends, and it is almost always resolvable quickly if you respond correctly and on time.
This guide walks you through exactly what the letter means, why you received it, what you need to send back, and what happens if you ignore it.
What Is a CRA Request for Information?
A Request for Information (sometimes called a "review letter" or "verification letter") means CRA wants to verify one or more items on your tax return before finalising it — or as part of a post-assessment review program. It is not an audit. The CRA conducts audits separately, and they involve a much more extensive examination of your financial records.
A Request for Information is simply CRA saying: "We noticed this item on your return. Before we accept it, can you show us the supporting documentation?" Most of these letters are resolved within a few weeks once you respond with the right documents.
Why Did CRA Send You This Letter?
There are several common triggers for a Request for Information, and understanding which one applies to you will help you gather the right documents faster.
Rental income or expenses If you reported rental income and claimed expenses against it — mortgage interest, repairs, insurance, property management fees — CRA may want to verify that those expenses are legitimate and correctly calculated. They'll typically ask for lease agreements, bank statements showing mortgage payments, and receipts for claimed expenses.
Self-employment income and expenses Self-employed Canadians frequently receive these letters. CRA may want to verify that your business income is complete and that your expense claims are supported by proper documentation. Common requests include invoices, bank statements, expense logs, and mileage records.
Medical expense claims Medical expenses are one of the most frequently reviewed items on Canadian tax returns. CRA requires official receipts from registered healthcare practitioners. A credit card statement showing a payment to a clinic is generally not sufficient on its own — you need the receipt showing what was paid, when, and by whom.
Moving expense deductions If you moved at least 40 kilometres closer to a new place of work or school and claimed moving expenses, CRA may ask you to prove the distance and provide receipts for the move itself — including moving company invoices, travel costs, and temporary accommodation.
Charitable donation credits CRA has strict rules about charitable receipts. Only donations made to registered Canadian charities qualify, and the receipt must include the charity's registration number, the date, the amount, and a description of the donation. CRA may ask you to provide these receipts if the amounts claimed are significant.
Home office expenses Employees who claimed home office expenses must have a completed T2200 (Declaration of Conditions of Employment) signed by their employer, in addition to receipts for the expenses claimed. CRA may ask for both.
RRSP or pension contributions In some cases, CRA will ask you to confirm RRSP contributions that don't match the records submitted by your financial institution. Your contribution receipts from the institution will resolve this quickly.
What the Letter Will Ask You to Do
A CRA Request for Information is usually structured clearly. It will:
- Identify your name, social insurance number, and the tax year being reviewed
- List the specific lines or schedules on your return that are being verified
- Tell you exactly what documents you need to provide
- Give you a deadline — typically 30 days from the date of the letter
- Provide a fax number, mailing address, and often an online submission option through CRA My Account
Read the letter closely. Note the deadline. Then work backwards from that date to figure out how much time you have to gather documents.
Step-by-Step: How to Respond
Step 1: Note the deadline immediately
Write it in your calendar. Set a reminder five days before it arrives. If you realize you won't be able to gather everything in time, call the number on the letter before the deadline and ask for an extension. CRA will usually grant one if you ask proactively — but they are far less sympathetic if you miss the deadline and call afterward.
Step 2: Gather exactly what CRA asked for
Only send what was requested. Sending additional documents you weren't asked for can sometimes open up new questions. Sending less than was requested will delay your file or result in the deduction being denied outright.
Here's a quick reference guide:
| What CRA Is Reviewing | What to Send |
|---|---|
| Employment expenses | Signed T2200 + itemised receipts |
| Rental income/expenses | Lease agreements + bank statements + receipts |
| Medical expenses | Official practitioner receipts with registration numbers |
| Charitable donations | Official CRA-registered receipts with registration number |
| Moving expenses | Distance calculation + all invoices from the move |
| RRSP contributions | Contribution receipts from your financial institution |
| Business income/expenses | Invoices, bank statements, expense log |
| Home office | T2200 + receipts for internet, utilities, office supplies |
Step 3: Organise and label your documents
If you're sending multiple receipts, label them clearly. For example: "Medical receipt — Dr. Singh — $350 — February 14." If you're submitting online, organise files into a clear folder structure before uploading.
If you're mailing documents, make photocopies of everything before sending. Never send originals — CRA will not return them.
Step 4: Choose your submission method
CRA accepts documentation through three channels:
- CRA My Account (online) — Go to "Submit documents" and reference the letter number. This is the fastest method and gives you a confirmation you can save.
- Fax — Use the number printed on your letter. Fax submission creates a timestamp record.
- Mail — Send to the address on the letter. Use tracked mail and allow 10–14 business days for delivery.
Step 5: Follow up if you don't hear back
If you submitted your documents but haven't received an update within 30 days, call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 (for individuals). Have your SIN, the letter's reference number, and the date you submitted ready when you call.
What If You Can't Find the Documents?
Losing receipts happens. Here's what you can do:
- Bank and credit card statements may be accepted as supporting evidence for some expense types, though they're typically considered secondary to official receipts
- Contact the provider — Doctors, clinics, and charities can often issue duplicate receipts
- Call your financial institution for duplicate RRSP contribution receipts
- Statutory declaration — In rare cases, CRA may accept a sworn written statement, but this is unusual and not guaranteed
If you genuinely cannot provide documentation for a claimed expense, that expense will almost certainly be disallowed. You may then file a Notice of Objection if you believe the denial is incorrect — but having no receipts significantly weakens your position.
What Happens If You Ignore the Letter?
Ignoring a CRA Request for Information is never a good strategy. If you don't respond by the deadline, CRA will automatically:
- Disallow the deduction or credit that was under review
- Issue a Notice of Reassessment reflecting a higher tax balance
- Begin charging compound daily interest on any new balance owing
The longer you leave it unaddressed, the larger the balance grows. If the balance remains unpaid, CRA collections can garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or register a lien against property.
The good news is that responding promptly and with the right documents typically resolves the matter completely — with no penalties and no further action.
How CRA Navigator Can Help
CRA letters are written in a formal, bureaucratic style that can make them genuinely difficult to interpret. Which deduction are they actually questioning? What exactly do they mean by "supporting documentation"? Is this urgent?
CRA Navigator reads your specific letter and gives you a plain-English breakdown of exactly what's being reviewed, what documents you need to gather, your precise deadline, and a step-by-step action plan so you know exactly what to do and in what order.