Learn what a Notice of Assessment is and why it is one of the most important CRA documents after filing.
A Notice of Assessment is the CRA document that summarizes the result after a filed return is assessed.
This document is often the taxpayer’s first official confirmation of how the CRA processed the return. It can confirm a refund, show a balance owing, and highlight important carryforward or room information.
After a T1 return is filed and processed, the CRA issues a Notice of Assessment showing the outcome of that assessment. It is not the return itself. It is the CRA’s response to what was filed and processed.
The Notice of Assessment can matter for more than the immediate tax result. It may also show information that influences future planning or later filings, which is why many taxpayers keep it with their permanent tax records.
A taxpayer files a T1 return and later receives a Notice of Assessment showing that the return was processed with a small balance owing and updated deduction-room information. That notice becomes the reference point for the filed year unless the CRA later reassesses it.
A Notice of Assessment is not the same thing as filing a return.
It is also not automatically a warning letter or penalty notice. In many cases, it is simply the standard post-filing assessment summary.
Is a Notice of Assessment the document you file with the CRA? Answer: No. It is the CRA’s response after the filed return has been assessed.
Why should taxpayers keep their Notice of Assessment? Answer: Because it summarizes the CRA’s processed result and can contain information that matters for future tax years.
The exact contents and notices included can vary by filing situation and year, so a taxpayer should read the current document carefully rather than assuming it always carries the same information.