I got a letter from the CRA asking me to prove I was eligible for CERB. They also called me, and I sent them everything they needed, like my bank records showing no income during that time, a letter from my employer saying I wasn’t working, and more. Despite this, I just got a letter saying I need to pay the entire amount back. Before I call them, am I missing something here? I qualified, provided proof, and paid taxes on it. Why do they keep the tax I paid in 2020 and still want the entire CERB repayment?
why does CRA get the tax that I paid in that tax year (2020) from CERB as well as the repayment of the entire amount?
Any money you repay can be a tax deduction for the year you pay it back.
Hart said:
why does CRA get the tax that I paid in that tax year (2020) from CERB as well as the repayment of the entire amount?
Any money you repay can be a tax deduction for the year you pay it back.
Check if the letter has instructions on how to claim that back on your taxes.
Posting here to make sure this is visible. You should ask for a second review.
Set up an Excel sheet listing each CERB period with your income for that time. They want to see the exact income you had for each CERB period:
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column 1: CERB pay period
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column 2: gross income for that period (add vacation, holiday pay, etc.)
Include supporting documents and resubmit everything.
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
Add as much detail as possible. If it doesn’t work out, the next step is a judicial review, but you can’t add new documents then.
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
I went through a similar thing. Having a rep on the call helped, and they reversed it. The first person was rude, but I’m glad I asked for another review.
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
The CRA system sometimes messes things up, especially if income periods overlap. I had to explain everything day by day.
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
And ask them to clarify exactly why they’re saying you’re not eligible.
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
I had the same issue with CRB. If a second review doesn’t help, get your MP involved. That’s what fixed mine.
Jin said:
@Lennon
Thanks a lot, this sounds like a great approach!
CRA sometimes makes mistakes. Don’t accept their first answer. Ask for a re-evaluation if you know you’re right.
@Lennon
I’m a bookkeeper and had a client go through something similar. The first agent was clueless. The second one knew what they were doing. Always ask for another rep if needed.
@Lennon
I had mine reviewed and approved after a second appeal. Be patient and thorough.
@Lennon
Sad that we have to go through all this effort when it should be CRA’s job.
Skyler said:
@Lennon
Sad that we have to go through all this effort when it should be CRA’s job.
How could the CRA know what OP earned if they only get a summary on the T4? They need the detailed info.
@Lennon
T4s in 2020 had extra boxes to report income during specific periods.
Rio said:
@Lennon
T4s in 2020 had extra boxes to report income during specific periods.
Exactly. OP’s employer didn’t report those, causing issues.
@Lennon
Those boxes had to be filled out in 2020 for income in certain periods. If not, it could trigger issues.
Charlie said:
@Lennon
Those boxes had to be filled out in 2020 for income in certain periods. If not, it could trigger issues.
Yes, and it seems like OP’s employer skipped those boxes.
@Lennon
CRA should have caught that with the employer first, right?