Canadian Taxpayers Bill of Rights

Yesterdau. I wrote a post entitled "Do You Have A Complaint About The Canada Revenue Agency?" and mentioned the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.  I provided a link to the CRA web-site.  Here are the Rights:

1. You have the right to receive entitlements and to pay no more and no less than what is required by law.

2. You have the right to service in both official languages.

3. You have the right to privacy and confidentiality.

4. You have the right to a formal review and a subsequent appeal.

5. You have the right to be treated professionally, courteously, and fairly.

6. You have the right to complete, accurate, clear, and timely information.

7. You have the right, as an individual, not to pay income tax amounts in dispute before you have had an impartial review.

8. You have the right to have the law applied consistently.

9. You have the right to lodge a service complaint and to be provided with an explanation of our findings.

10. You have the right to have the costs of compliance taken into account when administering tax legislation.

11. You have the right to expect us to be accountable.

12. You have the right to relief from penalties and interest under tax legislation because of extraordinary circumstances.

13. You have the right to expect us to publish our service standards and report annually.

14. You have the right to expect us to warn you about questionable tax schemes in a timely manner.

15. You have the right to be represented by a person of your choice.

For more information, please call Cyndee at 416-760-8999.

Goderich Businesses Affected By Tornado May Seek Taxpayer Relief

I spent some of the best years of my childhood living in Goderich.  As a sales tax lawyer, I want to share a Canada Revenue Agency news release about claiming taxpayer relief in light of the tornado devastation.  Many businesses are not able to find their records let alone make timely GST/HST payments.  Income tax time will also be a problem.

Taxpayers are entitled to ask for relief in these circumstances.  Please let the CRA know as soon as you can about your circumstances (and send the letter by registered mail to keep proof of submission).  Open communication is the best way to "get on the same page". 

The CRA applies the "fairness" provisions on a case-by-case basis. However, the fact that your business was destroyed or disrupted or your home was destroyed or you emotionally are in a state of shock are reasons to ask for fairness.  My experience is that the CRA can and will reach out a helping hand to those who truly need it.

My heart goes out to the people of Goderich - my former neighbours, my friends and my community. I cannot image the challenges you must deal with and see every day.