Used for benefit calculations (CCB, GST/HST credit)
Taxable income (Line 26000)
Income after deductions and exemptions
Tax is calculated on this amount
Total federal tax
Federal tax calculated
Compare to your return
Total credits and deductions
Tax credits applied
Verify all credits were accepted
Refund or balance owing
Amount CRA owes you or you owe CRA
This is the bottom line
RRSP deduction limit
Maximum RRSP contribution for next year
Critical for RRSP planning
Unused RRSP contributions
Contributions made but not yet deducted
Carry forward to future years
Changes and explanations
Adjustments CRA made to your return
Read carefully — may indicate errors
How to Read Your RRSP Information
NOA Line
What It Means
Example
RRSP deduction limit for 2026
Maximum you can contribute for the current tax year
$32,490
Unused RRSP contributions
Amount you contributed in prior years but have not yet deducted
$5,000
Available RRSP contribution room
Deduction limit minus unused contributions
$27,490
Pension adjustment (PA)
Reduces RRSP room if you have a workplace pension
$8,000
Your RRSP deduction limit = 18% of prior year’s earned income (up to the annual max of $32,490 for 2026) minus pension adjustment, plus any unused room carried forward.
Understanding Your Refund or Balance Owing
NOA Result
What It Means
What to Do
Refund
You overpaid taxes during the year
CRA will direct deposit or mail a cheque
Balance owing
You owe additional tax
Pay by the deadline to avoid interest
$0 (nil assessment)
Tax paid exactly matched tax owed
Nothing to do
Reassessment
CRA changed an amount on your return
Review changes; file an objection if you disagree
Common CRA Changes on Your NOA
Change
What Happened
What to Do
“We adjusted your return”
CRA modified one or more lines
Compare NOA to your filed return
RRSP deduction disallowed
You exceeded your contribution room or claimed too much
Verify your RRSP room; may need to fix over-contribution
Tuition credit adjusted
CRA recalculated your tuition tax credit
Check T2202 slip against what you claimed
Medical expenses disallowed
Receipt not accepted or below threshold
Keep all receipts; refile or object
Donation credit adjusted
CRA reduced your charitable donation claim
Verify official receipts from registered charities
Income added
CRA received a slip you did not report (T4, T5, T3)
Check if you missed a slip; amend if needed
Provincial credit adjusted
Changes to provincial tax credits
Verify provincial amounts
Where to Find Your NOA
Method
How
Timeline
My CRA Account (online)
Log in → Tax Returns → Notice of Assessment
1–2 weeks after e-filing
Express NOA (in tax software)
Available immediately after e-filing in supported software
Minutes after filing
By mail
Paper copy mailed to your address on file
4–8 weeks after filing
CRA mobile app (MyCRA)
Same as My CRA Account
1–2 weeks after e-filing
Phone
Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to request a copy
Mailed within 10 business days
What to Do If You Disagree
Step
Action
Deadline
1
Review the NOA explanation carefully
—
2
Check if you made an error on your return
—
3
If CRA is wrong, file a formal objection (T400A)
Within 90 days of the NOA date
4
File online through My CRA Account → “Register a formal dispute”
Within 90 days
5
Or mail/fax Form T400A to your Tax Centre
Within 90 days
6
CRA will review and issue a decision
6–12 months typically
7
If still unresolved, appeal to the Tax Court of Canada