Published: March 6, 2020
Last Updated: March 17, 2020
CRA review by the Auditor General of Canada expert Canadian tax lawyers commentary
In Part 1 of this article about the Auditor General review of CRA and the Notices of Objection process, our experienced Canadian tax lawyers discussed some of the recommendations. We continue with this discussion here in Part 2.
The Auditor General Proposes and the CRA Disposes.
Key Finding
The CRA could not set consistent expected times with respect to settlements of tax objections. Nor did it accurately report the actual times taken to process such notices of objection. It may take a cue from similar other organizations in determining what is reasonable.
Recommendation #4
The CRA should be more conspicuous in defining time required for settlements of objections as it did not provide any discernible information for the same.
CRA’s Response
The CRA categorizes objections in three groups and sets out to settle them with the following time frames :
- Low complexity – these will processed within 180 days according to a new service standard which is about to be implemented and publicly reported in the 2017-18 fiscal year
- Medium complexity – a policy will be adopted by the end of 2016-17 fiscal year and be published in 2017-18 fiscal year
- High complexity – these will remain on continuous monitoring by the CRA
The CRA will continue to look through other comparable organizations for its improvements.
Recommendation #5
The CRA should judiciously reset its performance indicators leading to timely review of objections. The trends of consistency can be ascertained from its performance over time. The outcome of performance should be made known to parliament and the public.
CRA’s Response
Presently it is not only introducing new indicators leading to timely review of objections but also improving upon them. It will describe complexity of objections on its website by the end of the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Recommendation #6
Internal control and information systems linked to processing of objections have to be revamped.
CRA’s Response
With a view to addressing identified data needs and validities, a proposal on modernization of systems is under way. It will be linked to other systems functional within the CRA. Besides, it will :
- Effectively communicate the existing procedural controls to the appeals officers
- Identify additional controls that may be necessary
- Monitor the effectiveness of these controls
Communicating the results of objections within the CRA
It transpired from the observations of the Auditor General that the CRA did not sufficiently disseminate information on settlements of objections to its tax auditors, assessors or appeals officers. It deprived the CRA of getting adequate feedback and dampened chances of improvement from learning.
Key Finding
65% of total settlements of objections happened to be fully or partially in favor of the taxpayers.
Recommendation #7
Incidence of objections can be minimized if the CRA identifies the reasons thereof and settle the issues before they are filed.
CRA’s Response
From the third quarter of the 2016-17 fiscal year, the CRA will start reporting to tax auditors and tax assessors in every quarter. It will pave the way for improvements in documentation, training and processing thereby improving service to the taxpayers by the CRA.
Recommendation #8
The decisions on objections and appeals should be shared within the CRA so that improvements in appraisal of performance can be made in future on the basis of shared information.
CRA’s Response
The CRA is strengthening its practice of sharing information on business intelligence relating to objections and appeals. It will enable the CRA to more effectively analyze the trends, which, in turn, will help to frame procedures, policy resolutions and legislations in both Tax Appeal Branch and Tax Audit and Assessing Branch.
Improved quarterly data analysis reports will be shared in the third quarter of the 2016-17 fiscal year. This will be followed by upgrade of systems and changes in process. It is likely to better identification of the source in the process of tax assessment which gives rise to an objection.
If you are experiencing problems with CRA delays to your Notice of Objection, our experienced Canadian tax lawyers can provide you with tax help.
Read Part 1 of this article Improvements coming to income tax Notice of Objection process.
Disclaimer:
"This article provides information of a general nature only. It is only current at the posting date. It is not updated and it may no longer be current. It does not provide legal advice nor can it or should it be relied upon. All tax situations are specific to their facts and will differ from the situations in the articles. If you have specific legal questions you should consult a lawyer."
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