The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses the Net Worth Audit (sometimes called a Net Worth Assessment) as an income verification technique to track changes in a taxpayer’s wealth over the audit period.
The first step of the net worth audit is to examine the taxpayer’s assets and liabilities at the start of the audit period and compare them to those at the end of the period.
The Net Worth Audit calculation can be demonstrated simply as follows:
Opening Net Worth + Reported Income – Expenditures = Closing Net Worth
Some people try their best to avoid or even evade paying taxes due to the high tax rates in Canada. Of course, CRA is cognizant of this behaviour and has resources to locate these folks. If you fall into this category, beware—the CRA is keeping an eye on you, and lifestyle audits are becoming more and more common by the CRA for such individuals.
The CRA constantly monitors certain sectors and professions, including real estate, general contracting (home improvements), and other “cash” type firms. The main objective of this programme is these people.
The Lifestyle Audit, however, is one of their most effective tools; to put it simply, it compares your lifestyle to the income you recorded on your tax forms.
How does this work?
They start by examining your residence. Yes, they are aware of what your cost of living should be based on your postal code. CRA examine your property taxes, home value, maintenance, utilities etc expenses. They are also aware that using bank lending criteria, you can qualify for a mortgage with living expenditures that are roughly 30% of your salary.
When CRA believe tax avoidance or evasion is occurring, they also use social media. You appear to be having a great time on multiple trips throughout the year on your Instagram, Facebook, and other profiles. How are you going to pay for this?
- Your assets and obligations are examined. Did you buy any homes for investment? Where did the funds originate?
- Did you clear a big loan balance? Where did the funds originate?
- Did you cover the cost of your kids’ schooling? Where did the funds originate?
CRA probably won’t even look at your bookkeeping records, if you are the subject of one of these audits. You need to demonstrate how you can support your lifestyle instead of how much your firm generated. You are presumed to be guilty in a Net Worth Audit until proven innocent.
Keep an adequate record of following things:
- Make sure the money you borrowed is properly documented.
- Ensure you can prove if you receive inheritance.
- Be ready to provide evidence if you claim to have won the lottery ticket.
- Make sure you declared the sale and paid the applicable taxes if you sold investments or investment properties.
A taxpayer will get a confirmation letter from the CRA summarising the auditor’s conclusions after the audit is finished. The notification of reassessment will come after this letter.
No matter at what stage of the process you are in, our firm offers a variety of services to assist you with navigating a net worth audit. Our legal expert can assist in examining and challenging each of the auditor’s presumptions and calculations.
For more details on Net Worth Audits, contact finnection via email at info@finnection.ca or call us at (647) 795-5462
Disclaimer: Above information is subject to change and represent the views of the author. It is shared for educational purposes only. Readers are advised to use their own judgement and seek specific professional advice before making any decision. Finnection Inc. is not liable for any actions taken by reader based on the information shared in this article. You may consult with us before using this information for any purpose.