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CRA Tax Adjustment Delays Now Stretch Up to 47 Weeks — Here's How to Avoid Getting Stuck

   July 12, 2026   If you've ever filed a request to correct or update your tax return and then waited... and waited... you're not imagining it. Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsperson has confirmed that some Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adjustment requests are now taking nearly a year to process — and it's launched a formal investigation into why. What's Actually Happening When you need to change something on a tax return you've already filed — say you forgot a slip, need to update a deduction, or want to claim a credit you missed — you submit what's called a T1 adjustment request. The CRA sorts these into two speeds: Routine requests (filed online through your CRA My Account or certified tax software) have a service standard of just 2 weeks . By phone or mail, the standard is 8 weeks. Complex requests — where the CRA needs more documentation or a deeper review — carry a service standard of 20 weeks . The problem: the CRA isn't hitting even its own "...
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How to Prepare Your Investments for Rising Rates in Canada

 

On October 25, the Bank of Canada made a decision: they kept the interest rates steady at 5%. This means that investors need to adjust their portfolios to cope with the new normal of higher borrowing costs and lower bond prices. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Reduce your exposure to long-term bonds. Long-term bonds are more sensitive to interest rate changes than short-term bonds, so they will lose more value when rates go up. You can switch to shorter-term bonds or bond funds, or use bond ladders to stagger the maturity dates of your bonds.

2. Diversify your income sources. Interest income from bonds will likely decline as rates rise, so you may want to look for other sources of income, such as dividends, real estate investment trusts (REITs), or preferred shares. These assets can provide steady cash flow and may also benefit from economic growth and inflation.

3. Consider adding some inflation protection. Higher interest rates often come with higher inflation, which erodes the purchasing power of your money. You can protect yourself from inflation by investing in assets that tend to rise in value when prices go up, such as commodities, gold, or inflation-linked bonds.

4. Review your asset allocation. Higher interest rates may affect the performance of different asset classes, so you may need to rebalance your portfolio to maintain your desired risk-reward profile. For example, you may want to reduce your exposure to growth stocks that rely on cheap debt to fund their expansion, and increase your exposure to value stocks that have strong cash flows and dividends.

5. Seek professional advice. Adjusting your portfolio for higher interest rates can be complex and challenging, especially if you have a long-term horizon and multiple goals. You may want to consult a financial planner or advisor who can help you create a personalized plan that suits your needs and preferences.

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