Tax Checksincome
I was paid in cash - does it need to be reported?
Cash income problems usually surface years after filing.
Is this you?
- I received cash for services or work
- I didn't issue invoices or keep a ledger
- My lifestyle or expenses didn't match reported income
"Cash isn't traceable, so it's safe to ignore."
If you can't prove your income, the CRA can estimate it - and they usually estimate high.
Why guessing is risky
- CRA reviews often occur 2-3 years later when records are gone
- Estimated income assessments are difficult to dispute
- Weak income proof also weakens expense claims
Safe to ignore if
- I received no cash for services
- I tracked cash payments and can reconcile them
Stop and check if
- I received cash for work and didn't track it
- My reported income doesn't align with my spending
Resolve the doubt
Check my cash-income risk (2 minutes)We'll tell you if this needs reporting and what to do next.
"Most people find a defensible way to report this that lowers estimated-income risk."