Can you Amend Your Tax Return After Filing?

There are many things in life that you cannot change, but luckily your tax return is not one of them.   If you have made an error, it is quite easy for you to correct it, but the most important thing is to not file another tax return for the same year.

You should wait for your Notice of Assessment before requesting any changes to be made and you can only request changes as far back as 10 years.   

Online:

This is usually the easier option all you have to do is to log into your CRA My Account and click “change my return”, however you cannot make changes to any of the following:

• A tax return where there are 9 reassessments for a particular tax year
• A tax return that has not been assessed
• A tax return prior to the year of bankruptcy
• Carry back amounts such as capital or non-capital losses
• An elected split pension amount
• A return of an international or non-resident person (including residents of Canada, newcomers to Canada and individuals who left Canada during the year).
• A return where you have income from a business which is permanently established outside your province or territory of residence

The processing time for an online request is usually two weeks unless it is sent in spring or early summer, or if it needs further review, or the CRA has to contact you for more information or documentation.

By Mail:

You will have to complete a T1-ADJ T1 Adjustment Request. You can download a copy of it from the CRA website.  Alternatively, you can submit a signed letter with the following details:

• Your social insurance number
• Your full address
• A telephone number where you can be reached during the day

The processing time for a mailed in request is usually eight weeks unless the same conditions apply as with an online request. 

Once your review is complete you will receive either a Notice of Reassessment from the CRA or a letter explaining why the changes that you asked for were not applied. 

So, you don’t need to worry if you have made a mistake on your tax return, it is relatively easy to make any changes.