What Is the Deadline to Object to a Reassessment of a Prior Year Return in Canada?
This answer covers Canadian federal tax law, which applies in every province.
If you are an individual reassessed years later, the later of two dates generally controls your deadline: one year after the filing-due date for that year, or 90 days after the notice of reassessment was sent. For an old year, the one-year date has often long passed, so the 90 days usually decide it.
The 90 days run from the day the notice was sent, not the day you received it. A reassessment issued within or after the normal reassessment period starts new objection rights, but over the reassessed items. Corporations and some special cases, such as loss determinations and RRSP or TFSA over-contribution assessments, have only 90 days.
If you miss the deadline, you can apply to the Minister for an extension, but only within one year after the objection deadline expired, and you must meet conditions. After that year, no extension can be granted. Because the dates depend on your type of taxpayer and on the exact notice you received, confirm your deadline with a lawyer or accountant as soon as the notice arrives.
Key takeaways
- Individuals generally have the later of one year after the filing-due date and 90 days after the notice was sent.
- The 90 days run from the day the notice was sent, not the day you received it.
- Corporations, loss determinations and RRSP or TFSA over-contribution assessments have only 90 days.
- A late objection can be rescued only by an extension application made within one year after the deadline expired.