OTTAWA, Feb. 19, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, announced that the 2019 tax filing season is officially open. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has now begun processing income tax and benefit returns filed by Canadians in the way that is most convenient for them. Canadians can file their income tax and benefit returns online, on paper, or by telephone for those who qualify.
The objective of the CRA is to give taxpayers the information they need to file their taxes on time and receive the benefits and credits to which they are entitled. No matter how individuals choose to file their tax return, a number of improvements have been made to ensure that tax-filing is a user friendly experience, and continues to be fast, easy and secure.
This year, we have made significant improvements to our call centres, moving to a new modern telephone platform which features improved accessibility for callers. Now when an individual calls, they are given an estimated wait time, allowing them to choose to wait for an agent, call back later, or use one of our convenient self-serve options. The CRA has also improved training for call centre agents to ensure that Canadians get the answers they are looking for.
In addition to the many benefits and credits available to Canadians such as the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Caregiver Credit, new this year is the Climate Action Incentive payment, which is available to eligible residents of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Individuals can claim the payment when they file their income tax and benefit return.
As Canadians get busy filing their taxes, the CRA reminds everyone to be cautious of fraudulent communications. Scammers posing as CRA employees continue to contact Canadians, misleading them into paying false debt. They may be phishing scams, or other fraudulent scams, that could result in identity and financial theft.
Quotes
"Over the past three years, our Government has put service improvement at the top of our priorities. The new services we have introduced at the Canada Revenue Agency have made it easier, faster and more secure for Canadians to file their taxes. These changes are delivering real results for Canadians. Whether online or on paper, I encourage all Canadians to file their 2018 taxes to claim the credits and benefits to which they are entitled, such as the Canada Child Benefit and the Climate Action Incentive in applicable provinces."
-The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
Quick Facts
- Most Canadians' income tax and benefit returns are due on April 30, 2019.
- Since June 15, 2019 falls on a Saturday, the CRA considers your return to be filed on time, if the CRA receives it by or it is postmarked midnight June 17, 2019. However, if you have a balance owing, you must pay it by April 30, 2019.
- March 1, 2019 is the deadline for contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan.
- Canadians should have received most of the tax slips, such as T4s, and receipts needed to file a tax return by early March.
- From now until April 30, 2019, the CRA will be offering extended evening and weekend hours for individual tax enquiries. Approximately 3,000 telephone agents will be available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 am to 9 pm (local time), and from 9 am to 5 pm (local time) on Saturdays (except Easter weekend) to serve as many people as possible. Our automated service will remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- By February 11, 2019, the CRA will have mailed the income tax package to individuals who filed on paper the previous year. The new all-in-one 2018 income tax package is improved with simplified language, enhanced information on forms and has a more user-friendly design.
- In addition to the mail out, a limited quantity of tax packages will still be available at Canada Post, Service Canada, and some Caisse populaire Desjardins outlets (Quebec only). Canadians will also find information to order these products by phone or online in the language of their choice in case packages are no longer available in those locations.
- Individuals with a modest income and a simple tax situation may be eligible to have their tax return completed for free through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (known as the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program in Quebec). Free tax clinics are offered across Canada during March and April, with some open year-round.
- In October 2018, the CRA appointed its first Chief Service Officer (CSO). The CSO is in charge of leading the CRA's service transformation through an integrated, client-focused approach.
Associated Links
- Doing your taxes
- Get ready to do your 2018 income tax and benefit return
- Protect yourself against fraud
- Free tax clinics
Backgrounder
Starting on February 18, 2019, Canadians can file their income tax and benefit returns online, on paper, or by telephone (for those who qualify). The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is continuing to improve its services to help Canadians file their income tax and benefit returns easily using the option that best meets their needs. In the continued efforts to improve, the CRA's newly appointed Chief Service Officer (CSO) is leading the CRA's service transformation through an integrated, client-focused approach. The CRA is always working to make Canadians feel like valued clients and to ensure that tax-filing is a seamless experience, no matter which option individuals choose to file their returns.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE 2019 TAX FILING SEASON
There are a number of important dates for the 2019 tax filing season, including:
- March 1, 2019, is the deadline for contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan.
- Canadians should have received most of their tax slips, such as T4s, and receipts needed to file a tax return by early March.
- Most Canadians' income tax and benefit returns are due on April 30, 2019.
- Self-employed individuals and their spouse or common-law partner have until June 15, 2019, to file their returns. Since June 15, 2019 falls on a Saturday, the CRA will accept returns until midnight June 17, 2019.
ONLINE SERVICES
Last year, nearly 90% of the over 29 million returns Canadians filed were completed online. The CRA supports Canadians by providing them with electronic service options that are fast, efficient, convenient, and secure, including free software that is available on Canada.ca.
My Account is the online portal through which individuals can access the CRA's full suite of online services, such as Auto-fill my return. This service helps individuals or their authorized representatives automatically fill in parts of their income tax and benefit returns with information the CRA has available at the time of filing their return, saving them significant time. To use the service, individuals must be registered for My Account and use NETFILE certified software.
The ReFILE service allows individuals and tax preparers to easily make corrections to what they may have previously filed with NETFILE certified software and EFILE software.
Canadians no longer need to wait for their notices of assessment (NOA) if they are registered with the CRA's My Account. They can receive their Express NOA directly in their certified tax software minutes after they file their returns electronically.
T1 PAPER GUIDE MAIL OUT
Some Canadians still prefer to use paper forms. To serve them better, the CRA has mailed the income tax package to individuals who filed on paper last year. The new all-in-one 2018 income tax package is improved with simplified language, enhanced information on forms and has a more user-friendly design. Those receiving a package in the mail will have received it by February 11, 2019.
A limited quantity of tax packages will be available at Canada Post, Service Canada, and some Caisse populaire Desjardins outlets (Quebec only). Canadians will also find information in those locations on how to order these products by phone or online in case packages are no longer available.
FILE MY RETURN – AUTOMATED TELEPHONE FILING
Again this year, the File my Return service will be available to eligible Canadians with low or fixed incomes whose situations remain unchanged from year to year, even if they have no income to report, so that they receive the benefits and credits to which they are entitled. This simple, automated telephone service helps file income tax and benefit returns quickly and easily over the phone through a series of prompts and questions.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES
The CRA is working to reduce telephone wait times and improve accuracy for call centre clients. The Agency has moved its telephone enquiries program to a new modern telephone platform to offer more self-serve options, is hiring more agents, and ensuring employees have the right tools and training to serve Canadians.
Now when you call, you will receive an estimated wait time to speak with an agent. You can then wait in the queue to speak to an agent, decide to call back later, or use one of our convenient self-serve options.
Individuals can obtain both their account balance and the amount of their last payment made to the CRA through the use of an automated, self-serve Interactive Voice Response system without needing to speak to an agent.
Until April 30, 2019, the CRA will be offering extended evening and weekend hours for individual tax enquiries. Telephone agents will be available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 9 am to 9 pm (local time), and from 9 am to 5 pm (local time) on Saturdays (except Easter weekend) to serve as many people as possible. Our automated service will remain available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CLIMATE ACTION INCENTIVE PAYMENT
New this year is the climate action incentive payment, which is available to eligible residents of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Eligible individuals can claim the payment when they file their 2018 income tax and benefit return in early 2019. A 10% supplement is available for residents of small and rural communities in recognition of their increased energy needs and reduced access to clean transportation options. The climate action incentive payment will first reduce any balance owing for the year, and may increase any refund.
NEED HELP FILING YOUR TAXES?
Individuals with a modest income and a simple tax situation may be eligible to have their tax return completed for free through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (known as the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program in Quebec). Free tax clinics are offered across Canada during March and April, with some open year-round.
Additionally, organizations who serve vulnerable segments of the population can schedule in-person visits with a CRA Outreach Officer who will answer questions and distribute information products to their clients to help them file a tax return and receive benefits.
Through the Liaison Officer service, the CRA offers free in-person support and guidance to owners of small businesses or other self-employed individuals to help them understand and meet their tax obligations. Since the beginning of the program, over 33,000 visits have taken place and over 1,100 people attended seminars.
Stay connected
To receive updates when new information is added to our website, you can:
- Follow the CRA on Facebook
- Follow the CRA on Twitter – @CanRevAgency
- Follow the CRA on LinkedIn
- Subscribe to a CRA electronic mailing list
- Add our RSS feeds to your feed reader
- You can also watch our tax-related videos on YouTube
SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency
Émilie Gagnon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of National Revenue, 613-995-2960, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Revenue Agency, 613-948-8366, [email protected]
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