A Taxing Time
 

Revenue Canada (akaCRAp) has to be one of the most inefficient and intimidating organizations in the country. They made a huge error in my 2015 return and attempted to bully me into paying tax I did not owe. The dispute I filed took more than six months to resolve although I had provided clear and well-documented proof at the outset. CRA's saga of stupidity culminated in them sending me a letter stating that if I did not reply within a week, my file would be closed and I would be charged the full amount. The phone number I was instructed to call did not accept incoming calls. I won but only after hours of searching on the Internet for a way to reach them. So here's what I've learned.
Assume nothing. Do not assume that CRA will has intelligent people working for it and do not assume that they will keep your documents or even acknowledge that they have received them.
Believe no-one. Part of their intimidation tactics is to try to bully you into believing you are guilty and to pay money you do not owe which you will have a struggle to get back. In their eyes, you are guilty until proven innocent.
Check everything. Above all, keep hard copy of anything you send them including the front and back of any checks. Keep a careful file of all the stuff they send you.
I NEVER file my tax return on line. I always keep a photocopy of my tax return and its inclusions. It is all too easy for CRA to simply delete an electronic return then accuse you of not having submitted it. Yes, it has happened to people I know.
Do not bother trying to call any of the numbers on CRA's web site. You will get a stupid message then be cut off. You will never get through. Their strategy is ti delay and frustrate you to the point where you give up and pay taxes you do not owe. The very obvious mistake they made on my taxes took only six and a half months to correct. Many others take years,

Re: A Taxing Time
 

A registered account on the website acknowledges receipt of a return.
On the other hand they do tend to believe what's on most retuns don't they?
A saved PDF does the same thing.
If so minded, why would that be easier than 'losing' a paper copy?
You might send it registered (or whatever the term is) but that doesn't prove what's actually included.
Losing or shredding a paper copy 'by mistake' would seem easier than deleting something, permanently, electronically which might need input of more than one person.

I'm no fan of Canadian government, especially at Federal level, but is it possible your bad experience has influenced you?

Re: A Taxing Time
 

Ive only had minor issues with CRA but nothing major.

Now the IRS is another story. Lol

Re: A Taxing Time
 

HMRC can have the same "Prove we're wrong" attitude at times. To be fair, when I've had a problem it has been sorted quite quickly - no correspondence, just a refund to my bank account!

Re: A Taxing Time
 

My Canadian husband (now in the US) and my stepson in Halifax can vouch for that. Both have been dealing with those ijits for over a decade. They think that it has gotten squared away and then they get a new notice 6 months later. Hubby is still told he has to pay Cdn taxes when he has it in writing from his Cdn accountant and a copy of the Canadian law that says he doesn't. They are holding him hostage in an address change for sending his T-9's to our new address saying "when you pay your taxes, we will change the address."

Re: A Taxing Time
 

That is insane and completely unprofessional!

The HMRC can be infuriating but I'm pretty sure they'd never allow behaviour like that.

Re: A Taxing Time
 

It's the lack of accountability in Canada with Federal gov.

Different department but same problems...CIC messed up my Sponsorship/PR application. They did apologise and tell me what they should have done. But they still didn't correct it and a second application (2nd fees, second medical fees) was necessary.

Complained to immigration minister who simply passed letter on and I received (from CIC) a stock letter briefly outlining the standard process, completely ignoring the issues raised.

Provincial and Municipal government far superior.

Re: A Taxing Time
 

over the decades I have many dealings with the CRA as well as other Federal Govt Dept's.

and several of these

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/cmplnt...ncmtx-eng.html

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/t400a/README.html

After the first frustrating dealings & go around's blue in the face.... 'look you idiots don't you listen to what I'm saying, don't you understand what I want) - I learned nice. calm & quiet positioning.

Nothing by phone ever, do it all in writing & if there is ever a phone call to always always say to the person at the CRA 'you don't mind if I record this conversation' & to always get their name, badge number & telephone number.

Keep a log of all phone calls & correspondence

Brief, straight to the point - put yourself in their shoes. You wouldn't want an out of control angry individual on the phone, so how helpful would you be?

With a 'I need your help, I have a question about xyz, file number etc'

My dealings with the 'Service Canada' / Federal Govt departments have been really good. The CRA, Tax court, CHMC, pensions folks, Disabilty, Health, even the passport office for emergency passports.


.

Re: A Taxing Time
 

What is a T9?

Re: A Taxing Time
 

Oops should that have been a T-4? I'm not Canadian and don't have to deal with them. My time will come when and if hubby dies before me and I have to deal with them for my half of his pension/retirement benefits.:ohmy:

Re: A Taxing Time
 

Me & the missus are senior's, as such & from advice passed to us by others, is to try to have as many of the 'what if's' in place for when the event comes around

I'm not talking about wills, more the government 'what to do' & forms which are available on line, by phone or from the service Canada office

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-...ily/death.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...ancel-cpp.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...r-pension.html

https://positivelivingbc.org/wp-cont...05-form2-5.pdf


In the case of pensions or benefits, get the information while you are of sound mind & body, have the forms filed out one for each of you now, put in a safe place marked ' in case of death- open this, include in the package wills or other instructions'

Re: A Taxing Time
 

Yes, a T4 makes a lot more sense. The majority of CRA personnel are overworked and underpaid (at least by Vancouver standards) civil servants. Most are happy to help if they are given the opportunity. Unfortunately, a lot of taxpayers assume the process has to be confrontational. I would not worry about this. If you need help, especially after a bereavement, you might be surprised with the support and assistance you receive.

It sounds as though your husband is dealing with collections. They are a separate part of the CRA. They will not be helpful. They don't care about how or why or even if the taxpayer owes money. They are given a brief to collect money and they will do whatever they can to collect it. The refusal to change a mailing address is an empty threat. They could not do it even if they wanted to.

It is in the CRA's interest to have the correct mailing address of all taxpayers. He should write to the International Tax Services Office with his address details.

As for the other issue, if his accountant is certain that the CRA are assessing his income incorrectly then he (the accountant) should be helping your OH to escalate the matter.

Edited to add: it is the employer's responsibility to send his T4. Not the CRA, though the CRA will send copies if requested. Has your OH considered setting up "My Account" with the CRA? Once he has he will be able to download copies of his tax documents and do other tasks like changing his address.

Re: A Taxing Time
 

i had a what turned out to be a minor issue with the CRA back in 2013..they kept ringing and leaving me a message to contact them on a certain number..which always went to answer phone..so i kept leaving them a messaging asking what the issue was?..but never got an answer...eventually i got a letter stating i had 7 days to pay what was owed or you will be fined..problem was i never realized i owed them anything until i got the letter..each phone message was just to contact them...anyway long story short..i contacted the number on the letter thinking i must owe loads and found out..they had calculated my refund incorrectly and i owed them $1.13:eek:.. i mean they must have wasted sum $$$ endlessly calling me and sending a letter just to retrieve $1.13

Re: A Taxing Time
 

You're sure there wasn't an m missing? :rofl:

$1.13m? :eek:

Re: A Taxing Time
 

ask them about their policy

Line 485 - Balance owing

If your total payable (line 435) is more than your total credits (line 482), enter the difference on line 485. This amount is your balance owing. When the due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a public holiday recognized by the CRA, your payment is considered paid on time if we receive it on or before the next business day. Since April 30, 2017, falls on a Sunday, your payment will be considered paid on time if we receive it on or before May 1, 2017. For more information, see Important dates.

Your balance is due no later than April 30, 2017. Generally, if the difference is $2 or less for 2016, you do not have to make a payment.