Notice of Assessment by Online Mail

CRA is asking tax preparers to get email addresses and direct deposit information for their clients this year, but the process of retrieving the Notice of Assessment is less than clear.

If one were to rely on the instructions in the General Income Tax and Benefit Guide 2014, one might conclude that providing your email address on your return would be enough for you to receive your Notice of Assessment by online mail.  In fact, all that will get you is an email message indicating your Notice of Assessment is ready.  To actually see your Notice, you’ll need to register for “My Account”.

Unfortunately, the registration process is not “quick and easy”.  In fact, taxpayers who have not already registered for “My Account” will find that they will still have to wait to receive their password via Canada Post – the very thing that signing up for online mail was supposed to eliminate.

Preparers should ensure that their clients understand the process if they sign their clients up for online mail this year.