# CRA letters decoder: what the CRA wrote to you and what to do

> See what common CRA letters mean, such as a notice of assessment, a reassessment or a request for documents, and what to do next.

A letter from the CRA is usually routine paperwork, and the heading at the top tells you which kind it is. The most common is a notice of assessment, which shows your refund or balance owing once the CRA has processed your return. Match the heading on your letter to a row in the table below to see what it means and what to do next.

## What does your CRA letter mean?

| The letter says | What it usually means | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Notice of assessment | The CRA finished processing your return and shows your refund or balance owing | Check it against your return and keep it. It also shows your RRSP room |
| Notice of reassessment | The CRA changed something on a return it already assessed, or you asked for a change | Read the explanation. If you disagree, you have a limited time to object |
| Processing review or request for documents | The CRA wants proof of a claim, such as receipts or a rent statement | Send the documents by the deadline in the letter, using My Account if you can |
| Income verification or matching | A slip or amount on your return did not match what the CRA received | Compare your slips, then reply or correct the return |
| Statement of account or arrears notice | You owe a balance, with interest that keeps growing | Pay it, or call to set up a payment arrangement before it escalates |
| Instalment reminder | The CRA expects quarterly instalments based on your past years | Check the amounts and the dates. See the instalments calculator |
| Notice of objection received or confirmed | The CRA has your objection and an appeals officer will look at it | Keep the reference number and wait for the decision |
| Benefits review, for example for a child benefit | The CRA is checking your family or income details | Send the requested proof, and keep your marital status up to date |

## What should you do first when a CRA letter arrives?

- Read the heading and the date on the letter, because the date starts any deadline.
- Look for a reply-by date or an amount you are being asked to pay.
- Compare the letter with your return and your slips.
- Reply or send documents through your CRA account if you can, and keep a copy of everything.

Our page on [what to do when you receive a CRA letter](https://tax-services.ca/received-cra-letter-what-to-do) goes through these steps in more detail, and the [guide to dealing with the CRA](https://tax-services.ca/guides/dealing-with-cra) covers phone calls, My Account and disputes.

## How long do you have to object to a CRA notice?

For most individuals, the deadline to object is the later of one year after the filing due date and 90 days from the date on the notice, according to the CRA's guide [Resolving your dispute: Objection rights under the Income Tax Act](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/p148/p148-resolving-your-dispute-objection-appeal-rights-under-income-tax-act.html). Loss determinations and assessments for RRSP or TFSA over-contributions have only the 90-day limit. Businesses and some other taxes follow different rules, so check your letter.

## How can you tell a real CRA letter from a scam?

The CRA's [Recognize a scam](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/corporate/scams-fraud/recognize-scam.html) page lists what it says it will not do, and a few of those help with a letter or message you are unsure about.

- The CRA does not demand immediate payment by gift card, prepaid card, cryptocurrency or Interac e-transfer.
- A threat to arrest you or deport you over tax is a scam.
- When in doubt, do not use the link or the phone number in the message. Sign in to your own CRA account, or find the number on canada.ca.

Not sure the letter is real? See [how to spot a CRA scam](https://tax-services.ca/cra-scams).

## When is it worth getting help?

If your case is complicated, for example a reassessment you disagree with or a large balance, consider a licensed professional, and see [how to choose a tax preparer](https://tax-services.ca/guides/choose-a-tax-preparer). Our pages on [missing the filing deadline](https://tax-services.ca/missed-tax-filing-deadline) and [fixing a mistake on your return](https://tax-services.ca/mistake-on-tax-return-how-to-fix) cover two common reasons a letter shows up.

## Where does this information come from?

It comes from the public pages of the [Canada Revenue Agency](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html) and other open sources, checked in October 2026. This is an independent information site: we provide no services, we do not represent the CRA or any organization, and we do not guarantee that anything here is accurate or current. We accept no liability for decisions based on it. Check the official source before you rely on it. See the [full disclaimer](https://tax-services.ca/disclaimer).

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Source: https://tax-services.ca/cra-letters-decoder
Last updated: 2026-10-09
Independent information site. Not affiliated with the CRA. No services, no guarantee of accuracy. See https://tax-services.ca/disclaimer