Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (2024)

What Is the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)?

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a federal agency that collects taxes and administers tax laws for the Canadian government, as well as for many of Canada's provinces and territories. The Canada Revenue Agency, or Agence du revenu du Canada, also oversees a variety of social and economic benefit and incentive programs via the tax system, along with international trade legislation.

Key Takeaways

  • The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers taxes, government benefits, and related programs, and ensures fiscal compliance on behalf of governments across Canada.
  • Similar to the IRS in the U.S., the CRA is Canada's main federal taxing authority.
  • The goal of the CRA is to contribute to the ongoing economic and social well-being of Canadians.

Understanding Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the equivalent of the United States' Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The CRA was previously known as the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) until the decision was made to split the agency's customs and revenue activities into two separate organizations in 2003. Like the IRS, the CRA is the definitive source on current Canadian tax laws, how they are interpreted, and how they are applied. The CRA collects taxes from Canadians and oversees social programs that those tax dollars fund. The CRA manages many different taxes such as personal income tax, business income tax, trust income tax, partnership income, and excise taxes.

The Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer is the head of the CRA and its Board of Management, consisting of 15 members, 11 of whom are nominated by the provinces and territories.

All Canadian citizens, as well as foreigners living and earning money in Canada, must file tax returns with the CRA and pay taxes.

Other CRA Duties

The CRA also oversees child and family benefits, including the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). This benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB might include the Canadian child disability benefit and any related provincial and territorial programs.

The Canada Revenue Agencyuses information from Canadians’ income tax and benefit return to calculate the amount of CCB payments for which someone is eligible. To receive the CCB, someone must file tax returns every year, even if they did not have income in the year. Spouses and common-law partners must also file a return every year to be eligible to receive CCB payments.

The government pays the Canada Child Benefit over a 12-month period from July of one year to June of the next. Benefit payments arerecalculated every July based on information from a household’s income tax and benefit returns from the previous year.

The CRA also administers the working income tax benefit (WITB), which is a refundable tax credit intended to provide tax relief for eligible working low-income individuals and families who are already in the workforce and to encourage other Canadians to enter the workforce.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (2024)

FAQs

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)? ›

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the equivalent of the United States' Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

What is the equivalent of CRA in the US? ›

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the equivalent of the United States' Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

What does CRA do in Canada? ›

The CRA administers: tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories. social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system.

How do I contact CRA from outside Canada? ›

613-944-1310. 1-800-394-3472 (toll-free from Canada and the United States)

What is IRS called in Canada? ›

Canada Revenue Agency - Canada.ca.

Is the IRS the same in Canada? ›

Like IRS, Canada Revenue Agency regulates the Canadian tax laws. It oversees how those laws are interpreted and applied during tax collection and management. CRA is also liable for collecting taxes from Canadians and manages how the funds are allocated.

What does CRA degree stand for? ›

The Certified Research Administrator® (CRA®) is a designation granted in the United States by the Research Administrators Certification Council to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge necessary to serve as an administrator of professional and sponsored research programs.

What are the advantages of CRA? ›

The create-react-app CLI tool allows you to quickly create & run React applications with no configuration step. It includes everything we need to build a React app: React, JSX, ES6, and Flow syntax support.

Who gets audited for taxes? ›

Who gets audited by the IRS the most? In terms of income levels, the IRS in recent years has audited taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and above $500,000 at higher-than-average rates, according to government data.

How many tax returns are audited each year? ›

More from Smart Tax Planning:

Here's a look at more tax-planning news. The IRS audited 3.8 out of every 1,000 returns, or 0.38%, during the fiscal year 2022, down from 0.41% in 2021, according to a recent report from Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

What can the CRA do to collect taxes outside Canada? ›

If we believe that you have left or are about to leave Canada, we can require you to immediately pay all amounts owed, whether or not they are due at the time. If you do not make the payment, we can seize and sell your goods and chattels. For more information, see Collections of tax debts in jeopardy.

How do I get a Canadian CRA number? ›

By phone. To get a business number and register for CRA program accounts by phone, call our Business enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525. For hours of service, go to Hours of telephone service. If you just want a business number, use Business Registration Online instead.

What is the international phone number for CRA Canada? ›

Call 1-800-959-8281 to get tax information for individuals.

What are the 3 taxes in Canada? ›

3 different kinds of sales taxes exist in Canada:
  • goods and services tax (GST) A federal tax you pay on most goods and services you purchase in Canada. The rate is the same across the country.
  • provincial sales tax (PST) A tax some provinces charge. ...
  • harmonized sales tax (HST) A tax some provinces charge.
Jan 25, 2023

Where is IRS in Canada? ›

Canada Revenue Agency
Agency overview
HeadquartersConnaught Building 555 Mackenzie Avenue Ottawa, Ontario 45°25′35″N 75°41′41″W
Employees54,933 (2022)
Annual budget$5.1 billion (2018–19)
Minister responsibleHon. Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
9 more rows

Can the IRS come after me in Canada? ›

In a 1967 case called United States v. Harden, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Canadian courts will not enforce judgements for U.S. taxes owed. This precedent still applies.

Do U.S. citizens living in Canada pay taxes? ›

Taxes: As a US expat in Canada, you'll need to file a US tax return each year and a Canadian tax return if you have Canadian income. However, the US and Canada have a tax treaty to avoid double taxation.

Is my U.S. income taxable in Canada? ›

As a non-resident your non-Canadian income will not be taxed in Canada, but it will affect how many non-refundable tax credits you can claim.

Can I live in Canada if I am a U.S. citizen? ›

3) Can I live in Canada as an American citizen? Yes, if you are an American citizen, you may live in Canada. If your stay exceeds 180 days, you will most likely need a visa. You will also need a visa or work permit if you intend to work in Canada.

Can you become a CRA without a degree? ›

The pathways to becoming a clinical research associate are numerous and available to anyone with a high school diploma or higher. While formal education is not technically required to enter the field, having a bachelor's degree or higher can make potential candidates much more competitive.

What is a CRA certification? ›

Clinical Research Associate. A CRA makes sure clinical trials are done correctly and on time. They make sure the clinical trial follows the plan, good clinical practice guidelines, ethics, and laws.

Why do you want to become a CRA? ›

Example: "I would probably be working as a medical assistant or nurse, as I have always been interested in working within the health sciences industry. I ultimately became a CRA because of my passion for research and experimentation, but helping save lives has always been my career goal."

What is the $300 federal payment Canada? ›

The CAIP is a tax-free amount paid to help individuals and families offset the cost of the federal pollution pricing. It is available to residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. It consists of a basic amount and a supplement for residents of small and rural communities.

What is Canada's new benefit 2023? ›

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families with children under the age of 18. Eligible families may receive up to $6,997 per child for the 2022–2023 benefit year. The amount you're eligible to receive depends on your family's income and size.

What are the features of CRA? ›

Functions of CRA
  • Registration of Subscribers and issuance of Permanent Retirement Account Number.
  • Dispatch of PRAN Card, IPIN/TPIN and Welcome Kit.
  • Digitization and maintenance of Subscriber record/preferences.
  • Updating Subscriber record/preferences based on requests made for change/revision.

What raises red flags with the IRS? ›

Some red flags for an audit are round numbers, missing income, excessive deductions or credits, unreported income and refundable tax credits. The best defense is proper documentation and receipts, tax experts say.

How much money until you get audited? ›

As you'd expect, the higher your income, the more likely you will get attention from the IRS as the IRS typically targets people making $500,000 or more at higher-than-average rates.

Does the IRS look at your bank account during an audit? ›

The Short Answer: Yes. Share: The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you're being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.

What income level gets audited the most? ›

Low-income wage earners who earn under $25,000 annually and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit were five and half times more likely to be audited than other taxpayers.

What does IRS consider high income? ›

More In Our Agency

The Tax Reform Act of 1976 requires annual publication of data on individual income tax returns reporting income of $200,000 or more, including the number of such returns reporting no income tax liability and the importance of various tax provisions in making these returns nontaxable.

How can I avoid IRS audit? ›

How to avoid a tax audit
  1. Be careful about reporting all of your expenses. Reporting a net annual loss—especially a small loss—can put you on the IRS's radar. ...
  2. Itemize tax deductions. ...
  3. Provide appropriate detail. ...
  4. File on time. ...
  5. Avoid amending returns. ...
  6. Check your math. ...
  7. Don't use round numbers. ...
  8. Don't make excessive deductions.
May 11, 2023

Are taxes forgiven after 10 years in Canada? ›

10 Year Limitation Period

The prescribed limitation period in the Income Tax Act is 10 years; this means that after 10 years, the Canada Revenue Agency is legally prevented from collecting on a tax debt.

How many years can Revenue Canada go back? ›

A collections limitation period (CLP) is the time in which the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can take to collect a tax debt. The collections limitation period start date and duration will be different depending on the type of tax debt. The limitation ends after either 6 or 10 years from the date that it started.

Can I leave Canada if I owe money? ›

If the CRA believes that you have left or are about to leave Canada, they can require immediate payment of all amounts owed, whether or not they are due at the time. If you do not make the payment, the CRA can seize your goods and assets.

Can a Canadian get a US tax number? ›

A Canadian who lives in the United States may need an ITIN to be able to file U.S. taxes and receive payments from certain U.S. programs. But there are many other reasons why someone might apply for this number as well! This includes Canadians wanting to start a U.S. business, or open a U.S. bank account.

How do I get a US tax ID number from Canada? ›

The IRS accepts Form W-7, Application for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number by mail accompanied by ORIGINAL documents or certified copy of the document from the issuing agency to establish the identity and foreign status of the ITIN applicant.

Do Canadians have a taxpayer number? ›

A TIN can be issued to any Canadian resident on request. Every individual resident in Canada who files an income tax and benefit return (or in respect of whom an information return has to be filed, such as by an employer) is required to have (or obtain) a TIN.

How do I call a 1800 number from overseas? ›

You can call an 1800/1300 number following the dialing format like calling from overseas. To call 1800 numbers from the mobile dial xxx (country's international exit code) + xxx (International country code) + 1800 + xxx-xxx (toll-free with mobile number).

How do I call outside Canada? ›

To call a phone in another country, dial 011, and then the code for the country you are calling, the area or city code, and the phone number. For example, if you are trying to call someone in Brazil (country code 55), in the city of Rio de Janeiro (city code 21), you would dial 011 - 55 - 21 - XXXX-XXXX.

What is the best time to call CRA? ›

Call times are between 8am – 5:30pm

The best times to contact the CRA are usually early morning or late afternoons. Lunch time (approximately noon) can be quite busy for the CRA as many are calling on their work breaks. At this moment, wait times can exceed more than one hour at this time.

Are taxes higher in Canada or USA? ›

American federal income tax brackets ideally range from 10% to 35%, whereas in Canada it ranges from 15% to 29%.

How much higher are taxes in Canada than the US? ›

Comparing US and Canadian tax rates
Tax ParameterCanadaUnited States
Federal individual income tax rates15% to 33%10% to 37%
The lowest individual tax bracket for 2023$53,359$11,000
Are there state/provincial individual income taxes?All provinces have a provincial income tax8 states don't have a state income tax
6 more rows
May 18, 2023

Who is tax exempt in Canada? ›

Tax-free basic personal amounts

This means that an individual Canadian taxpayer can earn up-to $15,000 in 2023 before paying any federal income tax. There are also provincial basic personal tax credit amounts, set by each province.

What is the Canadian IRS called? ›

The CRA administers: tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories. social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system.

Do Canadian citizens working in US pay taxes to both countries? ›

Yes, if you are a citizen or resident alien of the United States, you have a U.S. tax obligation, even if you're a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. is one of two countries in the world that taxes based on citizenship, not place of residency.

Do US banks report to CRA? ›

Under the intergovernmental agreement, relevant information on accounts held by U.S. residents and U.S. citizens (including U.S. citizens who are residents or citizens of Canada) are reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Can the government see my bank account Canada? ›

Yes, the CRA can check your bank account and statements. However, they cannot access your bank information at any point in time. They must have a reason to look and normally the information is provided by the taxpayer.

Does a Canadian have to file a US tax return? ›

Canadian individuals without U.S. wages are generally required to file U.S. tax returns (Form 1040-NR) by June 15th. Further six-month extension can be requested by filing with the IRS Form 4868. The U.S. tax return filing deadline is April 15th for those Canadians who have U.S. wages.

Is there a US Canada tax treaty? ›

The U.S./Canada tax treaty helps prevent U.S. expats living in Canada from paying taxes twice on the same income. Learn more about this treaty and how it can help. The U.S. and Canada have historically had a great relationship, and that relationship extends to taxes within each other's borders.

What is CRA also known as? ›

A clinical research associate (CRA), also called a clinical monitor or trial monitor, is a health-care professional who performs many activities related to medical research, particularly clinical trials.

What is the Canadian equivalent of fatca? ›

The requirements of the IGA are reflected in the Income Tax Act so financial institutions in Canada do not have to follow FATCA requirements. Under the IGA, financial institutions in Canada will report relevant information on accounts of U.S. persons to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) rather than directly to the IRS.

What is the Canadian vs US corporate tax rate? ›

In 2017, according to OECD data, Canada's federal-provincial combined statutory corporate rate was approximately 27 per cent compared to 39 per cent in the U.S.

Do I have to report my Canadian income on my US tax return? ›

Do I still need to file a U.S. tax return? Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen or a resident alien living outside the United States, your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you live. However, you may qualify for certain foreign earned income exclusions and/or foreign income tax credits.

Do I pay taxes both in U.S. and Canada? ›

Yes, if you are a citizen or resident alien of the United States, you have a U.S. tax obligation, even if you're a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. is one of two countries in the world that taxes based on citizenship, not place of residency.

Do U.S. residents pay taxes in Canada? ›

As a non-resident of Canada, you pay tax on income you receive from sources in Canada. The type of tax you pay and the requirement to file an income tax return depend on the type of income you receive. Generally, Canadian income received by a non-resident is subject to Part XIII tax or Part I tax.

What is CRA compliance? ›

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requires banking regulators to assess bank and savings associations' record of helping to meet the credit needs of the communities in which they are chartered. Regulators must also consider an institution's CRA record when evaluating certain corporate applications.

What is the difference between a CRO and a CRA? ›

Very broadly speaking, CRAs work for pharmaceutical companies or contract research organizations (CROs). A CRO handles much of the clinical trial work for biopharma companies, running the clinical trials and providing statistical analysis and resources.

Why become a CRA? ›

A career as a CRA can be fulfilling because you are essentially a part-translator, part-project manager, and part administrator for trials that have the potential to save lives.

Do Canadian banks report to the IRS? ›

Since 2014, Canadian financial institutions are required under Canadian law to identify and report information to the CRA on reportable financial accounts held in Canada by US Persons. The CRA then exchanges this information with the IRS.

Does FATCA apply to us citizens? ›

Yes. Under FATCA, foreign financial institutions are required to determine whether their customers are U.S. citizens. A U.S. citizen would have to provide a U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) as part of the financial institution's due diligence requirements, typically on a self-certification.

Who is a US person under FATCA? ›

The term 'US person' means: a citizen or resident of the United States. a partnership created or organised in the United States or under the law of the United States or of any state, or the District of Columbia.

Who pays more taxes Americans or Canadians? ›

While people generally pay more in taxes in the United States, Canada offers superior social benefits. The cost of attending a university and expenses for healthcare are typically less in Canada.

Are taxes more expensive in Canada or USA? ›

Comparing US and Canadian tax rates
Tax ParameterCanadaUnited States
Federal individual income tax rates15% to 33%10% to 37%
The lowest individual tax bracket for 2023$53,359$11,000
Are there state/provincial individual income taxes?All provinces have a provincial income tax8 states don't have a state income tax
6 more rows
May 18, 2023

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