The CRA has changed how law firms obtain taxpayer information. Learn why income tax documents matter in Ontario personal injury claims and how this may affect injured clients.
New CRA Rules for Accessing Taxpayer Information (April 2026 Update)
The Canada Revenue Agency has changed the way lawyers and law firms can obtain taxpayer information for client-related legal matters. As of April 15, 2026, new CRA rules limit third-party access to taxpayer records, directly impacting Ontario personal injury claims.
The CRA says it will no longer process requests from lawyers or law firms for one-time disclosure of certain taxpayer information, including:
- income statements
- notices of assessment
- benefits information.
Instead, clients are expected to obtain those records through the CRA’s secure online portals. This shift towards self-service access means injured individuals must now take a more active role in gathering financial evidence for their injury claim.
The change also applies to unactioned requests already in the CRA’s inventory, even if they were submitted before April 15, 2026.
Why CRA Tax Documents Matter in Ontario Personal Injury Claims
For many people, this may sound like an administrative tax issue.
However, In Ontario, personal injury law, income tax records play an important role. After a:
- motor vehicle collision,
- slip and fall,
- workplace-related incident involving a third party, or
- serious injury that affects someone’s ability to work,
income records can help show what a person earned before the injury and how their financial life changed afterward.
Types of Compensation That Require CRA Income Records
In an Ontario personal injury claim, the documents that come from the CRA are used to support claims for:
- past income loss
- reduced earning capacity
- income replacement benefits
- loss of competitive advantage
- future care needs.
What Tax Documents Are Typically Used in Injury Claims?
A notice of assessment, proof of income statement, T4, T4A, or other tax slip may not tell the whole story, but these records can help build the foundation.
They are especially important for people who are:
- self-employed,
- work irregular hours,
- receive commissions,
- operate a small business, or
- have income that changes from year to year
Why the CRA Made This Change
The CRA’s stated reason for the change is to strengthen the integrity of the consent process while improving security and efficiency.
Taxpayer information is highly sensitive. A system that requires clients to access their own CRA account may reduce the risk of information being released without proper authorization. The CRA has also emphasized online self-service, with individuals able to access their own tax information through their CRA account.
How to Access Your CRA Tax Records After an Injury
There are practical benefits to that approach. Many clients can now download tax records directly rather than waiting for third-party processing.
The CRA says individuals can view and print a proof of income statement through My Account.
Notices of assessment can also be viewed or printed online. When mailed proof of income statement is needed, the CRA says one can be ordered by phone. Mail delivery can take up to 10 days.
Challenges for Injured Individuals Accessing CRA Records
The challenge is that not every injured person can easily use online self-service. Some clients are dealing with:
- concussions
- chronic pain
- depression
- anxiety
- reduced vision
- mobility limits
- language barriers
- limited access to technology.
Others may not have a CRA account set up, may have lost access to their login credentials, or may be overwhelmed by paperwork while also trying to attend medical appointments and manage insurance forms. In serious injury cases, even simple administrative tasks can become difficult.
How This Impacts Ontario Personal Injury Lawyers and Claims
That is why this change matters to personal injury lawyers and their clients. Ontario injury lawyers must now guide clients more closely through obtaining and organizing CRA tax documents.
It may require injured people to become more directly involved in obtaining tax records earlier in the claim. It may also mean that law firms need to spend more time guiding clients through the process of identifying which documents are needed, where to find them, and why those records matter.
The purpose is not paperwork for its own sake. The purpose is to make sure the evidence reflects the real financial impact of the injury.
Connecting Tax Documents to Your Injury Claim
A better way to think about this is not “collect every document immediately.” It is to connect each document to the loss being advanced. If one of our clients:
missed three months of work after a crash, the relevant tax and employment records help show the pre-accident income pattern.
returned to work but only part-time, tax records may help show the difference between what they earned before and after the injury.
symptoms forced them to change careers, reduce hours, or turn down opportunities, the income history becomes part of the larger picture of lost earning capacity.
Privacy Considerations When Sharing Tax Information
There are also privacy considerations. Clients should understand what they are downloading, where they are sending it, and why it is being requested.
Tax documents often contain personal information beyond what is strictly needed for a claim. A careful injury law firm should request only what is relevant, explain the reason for the request, and handle those records securely.
CRA Changes and Ontario Claims
For Ontario injury claimants, the CRA’s process change is a reminder that medical evidence and financial evidence often develop together.
A serious injury affects health, work, family responsibilities, and long-term security. At Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers, we help injured people across Ontario understand how documents such as tax records, employment records, medical records, and insurer forms fit into a personal injury claim.
Need Help With Your Ontario Personal Injury Claim?
This blog is for general information only and is not legal advice. If you were injured in Ontario and have questions about an accident benefits claim, income loss claim, or lawsuit, Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers can help you understand your options. Contact us today.
