A CRA Desk or Correspondence Audit is one of the most common types of tax reviews in Canada. Conducted primarily by mail or through your CRA My Account, it requires taxpayers to submit proof of deductions, receipts, or income statements within a specified timeframe. A CRA Desk Audit — Montreal CPA Firm Near You ensures your response is complete, timely, and backed by precise documentation so your claim stands up under review.

Legal Foundation

Law: Income Tax Act s.231.1 — grants CRA authority to inspect records and demand supporting documentation.
Jurisprudence: Lac d’Amiante du Québec Ltée v. Canada (2001 SCC) — reinforces the principle of procedural fairness and taxpayer rights during an audit.

Why You Need a CPA for a Desk Audit

A CRA Desk Audit may seem minor, but missing, incomplete, or unclear documents can escalate it into a full field audit. CRA systems automatically flag files with high-risk indicators such as repeated medical, tuition, or business-expense claims. A professional CPA ensures every document submitted meets CRA evidentiary standards.

Learning insight: A one-page CRA letter can lead to a year of reassessments if handled incorrectly. Responding with CPA-prepared proof shortens audit duration by over 70% and protects your compliance record.

What a Mackisen CPA Desk Audit Response Includes

• Review of the CRA audit request letter and list of required documents.

• Preparation of a clear evidence index linking receipts to each claim.

• Certification that receipts meet ITA s.67 reasonableness and ITA s.18 deductibility rules.

• Verification that all medical, tuition, or childcare claims match official T-slips and payment records.

• Compilation of a professional submission binder in PDF format for upload or mailing.

Learning insight: CRA auditors assess documentation based on clarity, traceability, and authenticity. The Mackisen CPA submission structure mirrors CRA’s internal verification checklist.

Common Items Requested in CRA Desk Audits

• Medical expenses and receipts for dependants.

• Tuition and education credit confirmations (T2202, RL-8).

• Charitable donation receipts.

• Childcare expenses and caregiver information.

• Home-office and employment-expense support (T2200, T777).

• Rent, property taxes, and moving-expense receipts.

Each category requires proof of payment, eligibility, and consistency with information slips. Mackisen CPA ensures every piece of evidence is fully audit-ready before submission.

How Mackisen CPA Handles a CRA Desk Audit

1. Analyze CRA’s audit scope and identify risk areas.

2. Organize client documents to match CRA audit codes.

3. Prepare a structured explanation letter summarizing facts and law.

4. File all submissions digitally through CRA’s secure audit portal.

5. Track audit progress and maintain communication until completion.

Learning insight: CRA auditors are trained to flag inconsistencies. When your response arrives organized and CPA-certified, your file is classified as low-risk and closed faster.

Benefits of Professional CRA Audit Representation

• Immediate clarity on what CRA is asking for.

• Reduced likelihood of reassessment or penalties.

• Stronger credibility through CPA-signed correspondence.

• Faster audit closure and refund release.

• Permanent digital record of compliance for future reviews.

Learning insight: A professional submission doesn’t just protect your deductions—it builds your taxpayer credibility, improving future CRA trust ratings.

SEO Optimization and Educational Value

Primary Keywords: CRA Desk Audit, CPA Montreal, CRA Correspondence Audit, Revenu Québec audit, tax proof submission, tax audit help Montreal, accounting firm near you, CRA My Account audit.
Secondary Keywords: CRA letter response, tax reassessment, CPA tax defense, CRA review help, document verification, CRA audit Montreal.

Learning insight: Mackisen CPA combines legal precision with communication clarity. Every submission is crafted not just to satisfy CRA requirements but to demonstrate reliability and accuracy—two traits that influence all future CRA interactions.

Real Client Results

• A professional recovered $2,300 in tuition credits after a CRA desk audit initially denied their claim.

• A retiree’s $4,800 medical expense claim was accepted after Mackisen provided indexed receipts and physician certifications.

• A small-business owner avoided reassessment after Mackisen demonstrated proper home-office calculation compliance.

Why Mackisen CPA Montreal

Located in Montreal’s financial district, Mackisen CPA has direct communication lines with CRA and Revenu Québec. Our bilingual professionals manage over 500 audit responses yearly, ensuring your case is handled with speed, accuracy, and authority.

Learning insight: A CRA audit isn’t a threat—it’s an opportunity to show compliance excellence. Mackisen CPA transforms every audit letter into proof of your financial diligence.

Call to Action

Received a CRA Desk or Correspondence Audit letter? Don’t wait—your deadline to respond is strict.
Contact Mackisen CPA Montreal for professional representation today.
Phone: 514-276-0808 | Email: info@mackisen.com | Website: mackisen.com

Learning conclusion: Success in a CRA Desk Audit depends on precision, not panic. With Mackisen CPA Montreal, your response is strategic, professional, and fully defensible—turning an audit request into a compliance victory.