Did you apply for one of the CRA’s Emergency Benefit programs to help cover costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic?
Do you fear that you may not have been eligible for the program for which you applied?
Throughout 2020, the Canadian Federal Government introduced various programs to buoy Canadian businesses, workers and organizations through the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19.
Those programs include:
- Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB);
- Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB);
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB);
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB);
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS);
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS); and
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
Recipients of CERB may have already received a questionnaire asking for more information about the claims filed by the applicant. This is the first stage in the audit process and the answers you provide could later be used by the CRA to invalidate your claim.
For the other Emergency Benefit programs, audits will likely begin shortly. Audits are the first stage in the CRA’s dispute resolution process, and are central to determining the end result of the dispute.
If you think you may be subject to an audit because of your participation in one of Canada’s Emergency Benefit programs, it may be wise to begin preparing your audit defense.
Contact a lawyer at R&A Tax Law to find out the best course of action for your current stage in the Emergency Benefit audit process.
CRA Resources
CERB Program Eligibility
CRB Program Application and Eligibility
CRSB Program Application and Eligibility
CRCB Program Application and Eligibility
CEWS Program Application and Eligibility
CEBA Program Application and Eligibility
CERS Program Application and Eligibility
Articles
CRA Audits of COVID-19 Benefit Programs
Claiming CERB but not Eligible?
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit – What if CRA Wants it Back?
This posting provides information of a general nature only. It does not provide legal advice nor can it or should it be relied upon. All taxation situations are specific to their facts and will differ from the situations in the articles and postings. If you have specific legal questions you should consult with a lawyer.