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If I Made Mistakes in My Past Tax Returns, What Should I Do?

If you’ve made mistakes in your past tax returns, you can file an amendment or refile to correct the errors. Here’s how

Arani Tharmalingam avatar
Written by Arani Tharmalingam
Updated over 11 months ago

When to Correct Your Tax Return

  • Wait until you receive your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA before refiling or submitting an adjustment

  • You can refile a tax return for up to 4 years and file an amendment for up to 10 years from the tax year

Ways to Correct Your Tax Return

1. Online Using CloudTax (ReFILE)

  • Log in to your CloudTax account

  • Select the return you need to correct

  • Select the year you need to correct

  • make the appropriate changes

  • resubmit your tax return

2. CRA My Account

  • Sign in to your CRA My Account and click on “Change my return”

  • Select the tax year and the specific lines that need corrections

  • Input the updated information and submit your adjustment request

  • You can include multiple adjustments in one request. However, you must wait for the first adjustment to be finalized before submitting another

  • Some changes cannot be made via CRA My Account. Visit the CRA website for details about conditions and exclusions

3. By Mail

  • Complete a T1 Adjustment Request (Form T1-ADJ)

  • Include all supporting documents for the changes (e.g., tax slips, receipts)

  • Mail your form and documents to your designated CRA tax centre

  • If you’re a Quebec resident, visit the Revenu Québec website for specific instructions

What Happens After You Submit Your Changes?

  • Notice of Reassessment

    • Similar to your NOA, but with the amended sections highlighted

    • Review it carefully. If you owe taxes, pay promptly to avoid interest or penalties

  • Explanation Letter

    • If the CRA doesn’t approve your changes, you’ll receive a letter explaining why

Key Tips for Amending Your Taxes

  • Save all receipts, tax slips, and paperwork for the changes, as the CRA may request them

  • Ensure all changes are included in your request to minimize delays

  • Use CRA My Account to track the status of your amendment for peace of mind

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