Ottawa, Ontario, April 30, 2013... The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
would like to advise taxpayers who have been affected by spring flooding
that they will have access to the CRA’s taxpayer relief provisions if
they were unable to meet their tax obligations.
The CRA understands that natural disasters may cause great
difficulties for affected taxpayers whose primary concerns during this
time are their families, homes, and communities. The CRA can provide
relief to these taxpayers if they were unable to file their personal
income tax returns and pay any balances owing before April 30, due to
flooding. Business owners and self-employed individuals who were unable
to meet their filing and payment obligations are also eligible for
relief.
The CRA’s taxpayer relief provisions use a balanced approach to
assist taxpayers in resolving tax issues that arise due to circumstances
beyond their control. Under these provisions, taxpayers can apply to
the CRA to have interest and/or penalties waived or cancelled in
situations where they are unable to file a tax return and/or make
payments on time because of a natural disaster. Taxpayers should submit
their request in writing using form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief. The CRA will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis.
If taxpayers are unable to physically access the financial
institutions they normally depend on, the CRA’s e-services, which
include direct deposit, can provide quick access to tax payment and
account information. The CRA encourages all taxpayers to sign up for
e-services at www.cra.gc.ca/electronicservices. Taxpayers can also visit the CRA website www.cra.gc.ca/payments for other payment options.
All Canadians have access to the CRA's taxpayer relief measures and
will be considered for relief if they miss a payment or filing deadline
because their lives were disrupted by uncontrollable weather events,
including forest fires caused by lightning strikes, tornadoes, flooding,
landslides and hurricanes.
Taxpayers can find more information on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/taxpayerrelief. They can also call the CRA at 1-800-959-8281 for individual enquiries, and at 1-800-959-5525 for business enquiries.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Minister Shea highlights Harper Government’s improvements to tax debt collections
Ottawa, Ontario, April 30, 2013...The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister
of National Revenue and Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency, today highlighted that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has made
satisfactory progress on improvements to tax debt collections, according
to the latest report from the Auditor General of Canada.
"Our Government is committed to ensuring the tax system is administered fairly for the vast majority of Canadians who work hard and pay their taxes," said Minister Shea. "I am pleased that the Auditor General has recognized the progress made since the previous report. Our Government is already taking steps to address all of the latest recommendations, and will continue to ensure tax debts are well managed."
As a result, the amount recovered has grown by 87% between 2005-2006 and 2011-2012. In fiscal year 2011-12 alone, the CRA recovered $40 billion in tax debts.
Over the last five years, over 90% of individuals and corporations paid their taxes on time and without any intervention.
In addition, an international tax benchmarking study in 2011 confirmed that the CRA’s collection approach includes many best practices employed by tax administrations around the world.
We expect CRA to aggressively pursue any debts from those that may be seeking to avoid paying their fair share," said Minister Shea. "At the same time, our Government understands that some Canadians can face difficulties in meeting their tax obligations. That is why the CRA uses a fair and balanced approach when collecting tax payments from individuals and business owners."
The tax debt is an inventory of amounts owed that are known and actively managed by the CRA. New amounts are continually added, while others are collected or addressed through other measures. The CRA has strategies in place to resolve all debts.
The Harper Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and their personal financial security.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
"Our Government is committed to ensuring the tax system is administered fairly for the vast majority of Canadians who work hard and pay their taxes," said Minister Shea. "I am pleased that the Auditor General has recognized the progress made since the previous report. Our Government is already taking steps to address all of the latest recommendations, and will continue to ensure tax debts are well managed."
The Harper Government has focused on continuously improving
the CRA’s tax collection program through the introduction of better
strategies to prevent the debt from occurring, and supporting measures
to resolve debt before legal action is required. That has resulted in
increased productivity through earlier intervention at a lower cost.
As a result, the amount recovered has grown by 87% between 2005-2006 and 2011-2012. In fiscal year 2011-12 alone, the CRA recovered $40 billion in tax debts.
Over the last five years, over 90% of individuals and corporations paid their taxes on time and without any intervention.
In addition, an international tax benchmarking study in 2011 confirmed that the CRA’s collection approach includes many best practices employed by tax administrations around the world.
We expect CRA to aggressively pursue any debts from those that may be seeking to avoid paying their fair share," said Minister Shea. "At the same time, our Government understands that some Canadians can face difficulties in meeting their tax obligations. That is why the CRA uses a fair and balanced approach when collecting tax payments from individuals and business owners."
The tax debt is an inventory of amounts owed that are known and actively managed by the CRA. New amounts are continually added, while others are collected or addressed through other measures. The CRA has strategies in place to resolve all debts.
The Harper Government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and their personal financial security.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
Friday, April 26, 2013
April 30, 2013 is the deadline to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return and pay any balance owing.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) encourages you to use its quick,
easy, and secure electronic services to file your income tax and benefit
return on time and pay any amount owing by the deadline. You have until
midnight on April 30, 2013, to file your 2012 income tax and benefit return and to pay any balance owing.
If you, your spouse, or common-law partner is self-employed, your deadline to file your 2012 return has been extended until midnight on June 17, 2013, as June 15 falls on a Saturday. However, you still have to pay any balance owing by April 30, 2013.
If you have a balance owing, you can make your payment using your financial institution's telephone or Internet banking service. For more information about online payments, go to www.cra.gc.ca/payments or contact your financial institution. You can also make a payment using the CRA’s My Payment service. My Payment lets you make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. You can use this service if you have access to online banking at a participating financial institution.
For tips that will help you get ready to file your 2012 tax return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.
Are you worried you can’t pay your full tax bill by April 30?
Even if you cannot pay all of your balance owing right away, you should still file your return by April 30 to avoid a late-filing penalty. If you can't pay the full amount of tax you owe, you may be able to make a payment arrangement. If the CRA agrees that you are not able to make a full payment, we can work with you to develop a plan to help you pay your taxes. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/paymentarrangements or contact us at 1-888-863-8657. Our agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern time.
If you need help at tax time, the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) is an automated telephone service that provides personal and general tax information to individuals. You can call TIPS at 1‑800‑267‑6999. The CRA is also offering extended evening and weekend hours on the individual income tax enquiries telephone lines until April 30, 2013. This service is available at 1‑800‑959‑8281.
For more information on our telephone service extended hours, go to www.cra.gc.ca/extendedhours.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
If you, your spouse, or common-law partner is self-employed, your deadline to file your 2012 return has been extended until midnight on June 17, 2013, as June 15 falls on a Saturday. However, you still have to pay any balance owing by April 30, 2013.
If you have a balance owing, you can make your payment using your financial institution's telephone or Internet banking service. For more information about online payments, go to www.cra.gc.ca/payments or contact your financial institution. You can also make a payment using the CRA’s My Payment service. My Payment lets you make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. You can use this service if you have access to online banking at a participating financial institution.
For tips that will help you get ready to file your 2012 tax return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.
Are you worried you can’t pay your full tax bill by April 30?
Even if you cannot pay all of your balance owing right away, you should still file your return by April 30 to avoid a late-filing penalty. If you can't pay the full amount of tax you owe, you may be able to make a payment arrangement. If the CRA agrees that you are not able to make a full payment, we can work with you to develop a plan to help you pay your taxes. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/paymentarrangements or contact us at 1-888-863-8657. Our agents are available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Eastern time.
If you need help at tax time, the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) is an automated telephone service that provides personal and general tax information to individuals. You can call TIPS at 1‑800‑267‑6999. The CRA is also offering extended evening and weekend hours on the individual income tax enquiries telephone lines until April 30, 2013. This service is available at 1‑800‑959‑8281.
For more information on our telephone service extended hours, go to www.cra.gc.ca/extendedhours.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
What’s new for trusts?
Did you know?
Trustees can now apply for a trust account number before filing their T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return. A trust account number is an identifier starting with the letter “T” followed by an eight-digit number.
How to apply for a trust account number
Apply for a trust account number using Form T3 APP, Application for Trust Account Number.
What information is needed?
To process your application, we need a completed and signed Form T3 APP with a signed copy of the trust document or will.
Important facts
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canad
Trustees can now apply for a trust account number before filing their T3RET, T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return. A trust account number is an identifier starting with the letter “T” followed by an eight-digit number.
How to apply for a trust account number
Apply for a trust account number using Form T3 APP, Application for Trust Account Number.
What information is needed?
To process your application, we need a completed and signed Form T3 APP with a signed copy of the trust document or will.
Important facts
- Once the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has assigned a trust account number to the trust, please include this number on all correspondence related to the trust to simplify dealings with us.
- If you want to apply for a trust account number for someone, or you want to authorize a person to apply for you, we need a completed and signed Form T1013, Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative. This form allows us to deal with a person who is acting as a representative for another person on income tax matters (including trust accounts).
- Tax administrators - www.cra.gc.ca/trusts
- Topics: Trusts - www.cra.gc.ca/formspubs/tpcs/trst-eng.html
- Forms and publications - www.cra.gc.ca/formspubs
- T4013 T3 Trust Guide 2012 - www.cra.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/t4013/README.html
- Department of Justice - www.justice.gc.ca
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canad
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Paying your taxes is simple with the CRA's online services
Did you know?
You can pay your taxes the same way you would pay your phone or hydro bill -- using online or telephone banking.
In the list of payees, look for The Canada Revenue Agency, Revenue Canada, CRA Payment on Filing, Receiver General, or a similar term. Make sure you correctly identify the type of account, your social insurance number or business number, and the reporting period or tax year of your payment.
Other payment methods
875 Heron Road
Ottawa ON K1A 1B1
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
You can pay your taxes the same way you would pay your phone or hydro bill -- using online or telephone banking.
In the list of payees, look for The Canada Revenue Agency, Revenue Canada, CRA Payment on Filing, Receiver General, or a similar term. Make sure you correctly identify the type of account, your social insurance number or business number, and the reporting period or tax year of your payment.
Other payment methods
- You may qualify to make your payment using My Payment,
the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) online payment service, if you have an
online banking account with one of the following institutions:
- BMO Bank of Montreal (personal accounts only);
- TD Canada Trust;
- Scotiabank; or
- RBC Royal Bank.
- You can make your payment at your financial institution in Canada. To do this, you will need a personalized remittance voucher, which you can ask for online through My Account or Quick Access. You can also request a remittance voucher by calling 1‑800‑959‑8281.
- If you want to mail your payment to the CRA, send your cheque or money order (payable to the Receiver General), along with your remittance voucher, to:
875 Heron Road
Ottawa ON K1A 1B1
- If you are a non-resident who does not have a Canadian bank account, you can pay by wire transfer.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
It's not too late to make changes to your return
Did you know?
It’s easy to make a correction to your income tax and benefit return if you realize you made a mistake after filing.
Changing your return
You will need to wait to receive your notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before you can make a change to your return.
Once you receive your notice of assessment, you can:
My Account
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
It’s easy to make a correction to your income tax and benefit return if you realize you made a mistake after filing.
Changing your return
You will need to wait to receive your notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before you can make a change to your return.
Once you receive your notice of assessment, you can:
- use the Change my return option found in My Account, one of the CRA’s secure online services;
- send a completed T1 Adjustment Request form (T1-ADJ) to your tax centre; or
- send a signed letter to your tax centre asking for an adjustment to your return.
My Account
- The CRA’s electronic services allow you to transact with us from your home or office--on your schedule. To access My Account and take advantage of this fast, easy, and secure way to manage your taxes, go to www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount.
- To login, you will need a CRA user ID and password or you can login using your online banking information.
- If you need a CRA user ID and password – select “Register”.
- As part of the registration process, the CRA will mail you a CRA security code. This is to make sure your personal information stays secure. You should receive your code within 5-10 business days. Be sure to enter your security code before the expiry date noted in your letter.
- For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Reduce your tax bill – increase your tax deducted at source
Did you know?
If you owe tax at filing time each year, you can take steps to reduce your net tax owing. You can do this by having tax -- or more tax -- deducted at source from certain types of income.
Important facts
If you have a balance owing for this year’s tax-filing season, you can save time by paying online. You can pay online using your financial institution’s online banking service or using the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Payment service, which allows you to make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. For more information on payment options, go to www.cra.gc.ca/payments.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
If you owe tax at filing time each year, you can take steps to reduce your net tax owing. You can do this by having tax -- or more tax -- deducted at source from certain types of income.
Important facts
- You can ask to have tax, or more tax, deducted at source from employment income, pension benefits from an employer-sponsored pension plan, and old age security or Canada Pension Plan benefits.
- To have income tax deducted from old age security or Canada Pension Plan benefits, send a completed Form ISP-3520, Request for Income Tax Deductions to your Service Canada office. You can get this form online at www.servicecanada.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-277-9914.
- To have tax withheld from employment income or from pension benefits from an employer-sponsored pension plan, provide a completed Form TD1, Personal Tax Credits Return to your employer or pension plan administrator. You can get this form online at www.cra.gc.ca/forms or by calling 1-800-959-8281.
If you have a balance owing for this year’s tax-filing season, you can save time by paying online. You can pay online using your financial institution’s online banking service or using the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Payment service, which allows you to make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. For more information on payment options, go to www.cra.gc.ca/payments.
Canada Revenue Agency
This a a reproduction copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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