CRA's 3 Biggest Audit Targets In 2026
How CRA'S expanding use of data-matching, platform reporting, and automated analytics is driving aggressive audits against crypto investors, real estate flippers, and incorporated workers.
📥 Free resources from this episode
CRA Audit Protection Checklist
The Advisors TableCRA Audit Protection Checklist
Three phases of audit defence — what to document before a CRA agent shows up, how to handle requests during an active audit, and how to respond after a reassessment. Includes the 90-day objection deadline and the TEBA metric CRA tracks internally.
Show Notes
If you earned income from crypto, flipped real estate, or operate through a corporation, there's a strong chance you're already on CRA's radar going into 2026.
In this solo, Sunny breaks down the three audit patterns CRA is targeting most aggressively – based on real audit files he sees every week – and the exact triggers that are leading to reassessments.
CRA is no longer "taking a guess." They're pattern-matching data across platforms, pulling third-party records, and using automated analytics – and many taxpayers don't realize they're exposed until the audit letter arrives.
In This Solo, You'll Learn
• How CRA is using automated data-matching and platform reporting to flag audits
• Why real estate flips (and the 365-day rule + HST) are still triggering reassessments
• Why incorporated workers are being audited under Personal Services Business rules
• Why crypto audits are accelerating – especially staking income and weak records
• How upcoming international crypto reporting will expand CRA visibility in 2026
• What to do before an audit starts – and how to respond if you're selected
If you fall into any of these groups – crypto, real estate, or incorporated work – this is not something to ignore.
📝 Related Articles
The Tax Rule That Punishes Canadians for Helping Family — And What You Can Do About It
New CRA bare trust filing catches family bank accounts, joint titles, crypto held for relatives—$50K penalties even if you owe $0 tax. Bill C-15 passed House, Senate next. Sign petition + download checklist before 2026 tax year.
3 CRA Powers Coming in 2026 That Every Canadian Needs to Know
The CRA's new 2026 audit powers — compelled sworn testimony with no transcript, $50/day penalties without a court, and reassessment clocks frozen indefinitely. Here are the three every Canadian needs to understand.
One Mistake Killed His $5M Deal — Why the Wrong Team Destroys Business Sales
Selling your business? One wrong hire and hidden tax traps can kill the deal. Why regular accountants fail at business-exit tax planning — and how to build the deal team that protects your sale.
🎬 More Episodes
SoloHow To Get Paid By US Clients (Canadian Corp)
How Canadian corporations billing US clients can face 30% withholding, HST issues, and PSB reclassification – and the key factors CRA uses to assess the relationship.
- US Tax
- Cross-Border
- Corporate Tax
SoloFamily Trusts Explained: Why The Wealthy Never Gift Their Kids Anything
Why wealthy Canadian families never put assets in their kids' names, how a family trust actually works, and the timing decision worth $1.3 million.
- Family Trust
- Trust Planning
- Income Splitting
SoloDo You Actually Need A Holding Company?
How a holding company can reduce taxes, protect assets, and improve long-term planning for some Canadians – while creating unnecessary cost and complexity for others.
- Holdco Structure
- Corporate Tax
- Professional Corporations
SoloCRA Takes 54% Of Your RRSP When You Die (Unless You Do This)
How a $1 million RRSP can create a $500,000+ tax bill at death – and the little-known planning strategy that may help families keep far more of their wealth.
- RRSP
- Retirement Planning
- Beneficiary Designations
SoloYour Family Can Save 12K A Year Through This Tax Strategy
How Canada's 3% prescribed-rate trust strategy can legally shift investment income to children – but new AMT rules may now reduce or even reverse the tax savings.
- Family Trust
- Tax Planning
SoloEstate Planning Explained: Will vs. Trust In Canada
How wills, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and trusts actually control your assets in Canada – and why many families discover critical estate planning gaps only after a crisis occurs.
- Estate Planning
- Wills & Estates
- Trust Planning
Senior Tax Manager · Tax Manager
Two ways in: the groundwork under our advisory files, or a senior seat with a defined path to Manager.