CRA Audit Assistance Surrey BC

CRA Audit Assistance in Surrey BC for Reviews and Reassessments

CRA Audit Assistance in Surrey BC helps taxpayers understand CRA letters, organize records, prepare clear responses, and identify the next step when a return, deduction, GST/HST filing, payroll account, or corporate record is being reviewed. Phoenix Knight Financial Services provides accounting- and tax-focused support through that process.

We can review the CRA request, organize supporting documents, prepare accounting and tax explanations, and, where Phoenix Knight has the required CRA authorization and the engagement includes that work, communicate with CRA about matters covered by the authorization.

More Than 20 Years of Experience Tax, accounting, bookkeeping, and CRA review support
Surrey taxpayer reviewing a CRA audit letter and supporting tax records
Representation Scope

CRA Communication Requires the Right Authorization

Phoenix Knight can assist with CRA matters within the scope of the client's authorization and the services agreed for the engagement. CRA authorization is required before a representative can access protected account information or use representative services for a client.

When Authorized

Authorized CRA Communication

Where the required authorization is in place and the engagement includes CRA communication, Phoenix Knight may communicate, submit supporting information, or complete available representative transactions for the matters covered.

  • Authorized CRA communication
  • Document submissions
  • Account-information review
  • Administrative follow-up
Separate Legal Advice

When Tax Counsel May Be Needed

Tax Court proceedings, complex legal interpretation, privilege questions, procedural rights disputes, settlement documents, and other matters requiring legal advice should be reviewed with qualified tax counsel.

  • Tax Court proceedings
  • Complex legal disputes
  • Privilege questions
  • Formal legal documents
Authorization Does Not Create Unlimited Authority.

What Phoenix Knight can access or do depends on the authorization provided, the account or program involved, CRA's available representative services, and the scope of the client's engagement.

CRA Review Types

CRA Audit and Review Support for Different Tax Accounts

A CRA request may focus on a single deduction or involve broader income, GST/HST, payroll, corporate, or supporting-record questions. The first step is identifying exactly what CRA has requested and which reporting period is involved.

Income Tax Review

An income-tax review can involve income, deductions, business expenses, losses, personal claims, or other amounts reported on an individual or corporate return.

Explore Tax Preparation Services

Corporate Tax Review

Incorporated businesses may receive questions involving corporate expenses, shareholder transactions, income, deductions, payroll records, or amounts reported on the T2 return.

Explore Corporate Tax Filing

Payroll Review

Payroll questions can involve source deductions, remittances, employee records, taxable benefits, or whether a working relationship has been treated appropriately.

Explore Payroll Services

Business Expense Review

CRA may ask for records supporting vehicle, home-office, meals, professional fees, supplies, or other business expenses. The requested records depend on the claim being reviewed.

Explore Corporate Tax Deductions

Small Business Records Review

Business owners may need to connect sales, expenses, payroll, GST/HST, banking records, shareholder information, and other bookkeeping records with amounts filed previously.

Explore Small Business Tax Services
Record Review

Common Areas That May Need Supporting Records

The records needed depend on the CRA request. Some reviews focus on a specific claim, while others require reconciliation between a return and the books behind it.

Being selected for a CRA review does not by itself determine that the return is incorrect. The result depends on the issue under review, the applicable tax rules, and the supporting information available.

Receipts invoices bank statements and bookkeeping records being organized for a CRA review
CRA Letter Response

What to Do When CRA Contacts You

Start by identifying the deadline, tax year or reporting period, amounts being reviewed, and documents CRA has requested. A focused review helps separate what is required from information that is not relevant to the request.

Organize Relevant Records

Collect records that relate to the items under review and make it possible to connect the amount reported with the transaction or calculation behind it.

  • Invoices and receipts
  • Statements and transaction records
  • Bookkeeping reports
  • Supporting calculations

Prepare Before Speaking With CRA

Review the facts, records, dates, and accounting explanation before a call or meeting. Where Phoenix Knight is properly authorized and the engagement includes CRA communication, we can assist with the authorized matter.

  • CRA request review
  • Meeting and call preparation
  • Document organization
  • Accounting and tax explanation support

Documents affecting legal rights, settlement terms, privilege, litigation, or other legal issues should be referred to qualified counsel when legal advice is required.

Review and Response Process

CRA Audit Review and Response Process

The process focuses on understanding CRA's request, organizing the records, preparing a supported response, and managing authorized administrative follow-up where included in the engagement.

01

Review the CRA Request

Review the letter, relevant return, deadlines, and the amounts or records CRA is asking about.

02

Organize the Records

Gather the invoices, receipts, statements, bookkeeping reports, payroll records, or other documents connected to the request.

03

Prepare the Response

Organize supporting information and prepare factual, accounting, and tax explanations for the items being reviewed.

04

Handle Authorized Follow-Up

Where the required authorization and engagement are in place, Phoenix Knight can communicate with CRA about the authorized matter, submit supporting information, and help track the next administrative step.

Business records for home office vehicle expenses and worker relationships being reviewed
Common Record Questions

Prepare Records for Expenses and Worker Questions

Home-office expenses, vehicle use, meals, and worker relationships can require supporting records when CRA reviews the way an amount was reported.

Penalty and Interest Questions

Prepare Information for CRA Taxpayer Relief Requests

A CRA assessment or reassessment can include tax, interest, or penalties. Where taxpayer relief may be relevant, the circumstances, timeline, and supporting documents should be reviewed before a request is prepared.

Taxpayer Relief Preparation

Phoenix Knight can help organize the chronology, tax records, and supporting documents for a taxpayer-relief request where that work is part of the engagement.

  • Timeline preparation
  • Supporting documents
  • Accounting information
  • Request organization

CRA decides whether relief is granted. Preparing or submitting a request does not guarantee that penalties or interest will be cancelled.

Payment-Arrangement Information

If a balance is owing, Phoenix Knight can help organize income, expense, cash-flow, and account information that may be relevant to a discussion with CRA about payment.

  • Balance review
  • Income and expense information
  • Cash-flow records
  • Payment information preparation

Any payment arrangement remains subject to CRA's review and acceptance.

Reassessment Disputes

CRA Objection Support and When Tax Counsel May Be Needed

If you disagree with a CRA assessment or reassessment, objection rights may be available. The applicable deadline, tax program, disputed amounts, and supporting information should be checked promptly.

CRA Notice of Objection

Phoenix Knight can help review the reassessment, organize accounting records, identify disputed amounts, and prepare factual and tax information supporting an objection.

Where Phoenix Knight is appropriately authorized and the engagement includes objection filing, an authorized representative may submit an objection using available CRA representative services.

  • Assessment and reassessment review
  • Accounting-record organization
  • Supporting-document preparation
  • Disputed-amount identification

Tax Court and Legal Representation

If the CRA objection process does not resolve the dispute, an appeal to the Tax Court of Canada may be available. Court proceedings are separate from CRA administrative representation and can involve legal analysis and formal litigation requirements.

  • Organizing accounting records for counsel
  • Preparing financial schedules
  • Providing accounting background
  • Coordinating records with qualified tax counsel
Late Filings and CRA Balances

Organize Records for Disclosures, Late Filings, and Collections

Some CRA matters begin with unfiled returns, income that needs correction, GST/HST or payroll gaps, or an unpaid balance. The appropriate next step depends on the tax program, what has already been filed, CRA contact to date, and the client's circumstances.

CRA Collections Support

If a balance is owing, Phoenix Knight can help review account information, organize financial records, prepare information for payment discussions, and assist with authorized CRA communication when included in the engagement.

  • Balance information
  • Income and expense records
  • Payment information
  • Taxpayer relief questions

Phoenix Knight cannot guarantee that CRA will accept a proposed payment arrangement, grant relief, delay collection activity, or agree with a taxpayer's position.

Bookkeeping Cleanup

Missing transactions or unreconciled accounts may need to be corrected before a return, disclosure, audit response, or other CRA matter can be supported with reliable records.

Explore Bookkeeping Cleanup Services
CRA Review Support

Why Get Help With a CRA Review or Audit?

CRA requests can involve detailed accounting records and response deadlines. Organized records and a clear explanation can make it easier to understand what is being requested and prepare a focused response.

CRA Audit FAQ

CRA Audit Assistance Questions

These answers explain CRA letters, supporting records, authorization, objections, collections, and when separate legal representation may be needed.

Surrey taxpayer reviewing CRA audit assistance questions and records
What Should I Do First if CRA Contacts Me?

Keep the complete CRA letter, note the deadline, identify the tax year or reporting period involved, and gather the records related to the request. Phoenix Knight can help review the letter and organize the accounting and tax information before a response is prepared.

Can Phoenix Knight Speak to CRA on My Behalf?

Phoenix Knight may communicate with CRA about matters covered by the engagement when the required CRA authorization is in place. The actions available depend on the authorization, the account or program involved, and the representative services CRA makes available.

What Records Might CRA Request?

The records depend on the issue being reviewed. They can include receipts, invoices, bank statements, mileage information, contracts, GST/HST records, payroll records, bookkeeping reports, and supporting calculations.

Can CRA Review Home-Office or Vehicle Expenses?

CRA may review business-use calculations and the records supporting home-office or vehicle expenses when those amounts are part of the filing being examined.

Can Phoenix Knight Help With a CRA Objection?

Phoenix Knight can help review the reassessment, organize accounting records, prepare supporting information, and identify disputed amounts. Where the required CRA authorization is in place and the engagement includes objection filing, an authorized representative can submit an objection using CRA's available representative services. Matters requiring legal advice or Tax Court litigation should be referred to qualified tax counsel.

Can Phoenix Knight Help With CRA Collections?

Phoenix Knight can help review balances and statements, organize financial records, prepare information for payment discussions, and assist with authorized CRA communication when included in the engagement. CRA decides whether a payment arrangement or other requested treatment is accepted.

Does CRA Authorization Give Phoenix Knight Unlimited Access?

No. The information and transactions available depend on the authorization provided, the account or program covered, and the representative services CRA makes available. Phoenix Knight's work is also limited to the services included in the client's engagement.

Does Phoenix Knight Represent Clients in Tax Court?

The CRA assistance described here is accounting- and tax-focused administrative support and should not be understood as legal representation before the Tax Court of Canada. Court proceedings or other matters requiring legal advice should be reviewed with qualified tax counsel.

CRA Review Support

Start With the CRA Letter and the Deadline

Bring the CRA letter, notice of assessment or reassessment, document request, collections correspondence, or other tax information you have. Phoenix Knight can help identify the accounting records and response steps that need attention.

  • CRA letter and document-request review
  • Accounting-record preparation and organization
  • Taxpayer-relief and objection document support
  • Authorized CRA communication where included in the engagement

Authorization does not guarantee a particular CRA outcome. Litigation and matters requiring legal advice should be reviewed with qualified tax counsel.

Surrey taxpayer preparing CRA correspondence for review with Phoenix Knight Financial Services