What is CRA?
Canada Revenue Agency — the federal agency responsible for administering tax laws, collecting revenue, and delivering benefit programs.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the federal agency that administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and most provinces and territories. It collects taxes, administers tax-related benefit and credit programs (including SR&ED, GST/HST, Canada Child Benefit), and conducts compliance audits.
What CRA handles
- Income tax (corporate and personal)
- GST/HST registration, filing, and audits
- Payroll deductions (CPP, EI, income tax withholding)
- Tax credit programs (SR&ED, scientific research, film/media credits)
- Benefit programs (Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credit)
CRA audits
CRA conducts both random and risk-based audits. Risk-based triggers include:
- Significant changes in income or expenses year-over-year
- Industries CRA targets in a given year (often construction, restaurants, professional services)
- Inconsistencies between filings (e.g., GST/HST not matching reported revenue)
- Cash-intensive businesses
- Large SR&ED claims (subject to extensive technical review)
My Account
CRA's "My Business Account" portal is the primary interface for corporations. Worth setting up day-one of incorporation — many recoveries (refund processing, instalment adjustments) move much faster through the portal than by mail.
Want to find cra-related leaks in your business?
Free 3-minute scan. Pay nothing until we recover money.
Scan My Business — Free →