A certain type of bureaucratic annoyance doesn’t make news until it subtly ruins something. That breaking point might have already been reached for thousands of Canadians attempting to fix mistakes or claim credits that are missing from their income tax returns. It turns out that the Canada Revenue Agency has been processing what it considers to be “complex” T1 adjustment requests for up to 47 weeks, or almost a full year. Its own stated service standard of 20 weeks is more than doubled by that. Additionally, the CRA had been operating with very little public accountability until this week.
Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, declared on June 11 that his office will begin a formal systemic investigation into these delays. As with official announcements, the tone of the announcement was measured, but the underlying message was not nuanced. According to the OTO, there has been a “consistently high level of complaints” regarding the matter, and the CRA’s internal reports attest to the fact that taxpayers are experiencing “undue delays.” That’s a tactful expression. In actuality, it means that individuals who submitted valid requests to amend their tax returns have been waiting for almost a year without receiving a response.
Here, it’s important to distinguish between a routine and a complex adjustment. The CRA takes about two weeks to process online requests for the majority of common corrections, such as a missed deduction or an income slip that wasn’t included. Requests by mail or phone take about eight. That’s not exactly quick, but it’s doable. However, the standard increases to 20 weeks when the agency decides a request is complex. Complex designations occur when the CRA determines it requires more information or a closer examination. One of the issues is that the taxpayer receiving the classification may not always understand what causes it.
It’s difficult to ignore the fact that 47 weeks equate to nearly a full year of financial uncertainty. The delay isn’t abstract for a self-employed contractor who modified a return following a late-arriving income document or a single parent awaiting a reassessment related to childcare credits. Cash flow, credit, and occasionally rent are all impacted. This was directly acknowledged by the Ombudsperson, who stated that the delays “can cause real issues for those who are seeking redress.” There is restraint in the wording. It is not the reality it depicts.
Alongside the official examination, Boileau’s office sent a service improvement request to the CRA, requesting that the agency update its T1 adjustment website to encourage individuals to file online instead of mailing in the paper form. The backlog appears to have been exacerbated by the CRA’s own website encouraging users to take the slower paper route. It’s a minor adjustment that might reduce wait times. However, web copy is probably not the primary cause of this.
This review comes after the finance minister allegedly requested last year that the CRA create a 100-day plan to address what were deemed to be “unacceptable” service levels. It’s still unclear if that plan resulted in any discernible change. It is evident that the Ombudsperson is currently keeping an eye on things and has been tasked with making direct recommendations to the Finance Minister. It remains to be seen if those suggestions result in action instead of more carefully worded press releases.
FAQs
1. How long is the CRA actually taking to process complex T1 adjustments?
Up to 47 weeks — more than double the official 20-week standard.
2. Who is investigating the CRA delays?
Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson François Boileau opened a formal systemic examination on June 11, 2026.
3. What triggers a “complex” classification on a T1 adjustment?
The CRA needs additional information or decides the request requires closer review.
4. Can filing online speed up a T1 adjustment request?
Yes — online submissions are processed significantly faster than mailed paper forms.
5. What can the Ombudsperson actually do about the delays?
He can recommend solutions directly to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue.
