Validating Benefits and Credits

The CRA works to maintain the fairness of the tax system by ensuring that eligible individuals receive their correct benefits.

1. Why validate the benefits and credits?
2. Have you received a validation letter or a validation questionnaire?
3. Why me?
4. What items are validated?

1. Why validate the benefits and credits?
Family benefits and credits are validated to make sure that only eligible individuals receive their correct benefits - no more, no less. The validation of family benefits and credits helps to inform and educate clients.

2. Have you received a validation letter or a validation questionnaire?
Letters and questionnaires are sent to make sure that family benefit information is correct and up to date. It is important that clients respond. Without an answer from the client, the benefits and credits may be cancelled and in some cases, the benefits already received may be recovered. We are committed to ensuring that you are informed of the result of our review within 60 days after we receive the information requested.

3. Why me?
We would like our clients to understand that Validation and Controls:

• randomly selects clients to make sure the information we have is correct and up-to-date;
• conducts targeted reviews to identify possible areas of non-compliance; and
• has a responsibility to all taxpayers to ensure these benefits are properly paid and calculated.

4. What items are validated?
We validate the:

• client's marital status;
• number of children in the client's care; and
• residency and citizenship information.