This tax-filing season, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has made some important improvements to services for Canadians. The following outlines some of the services available to individuals.
Remember that although these applications are securely designed, as a safe practice, individuals should avoid using such applications on public Wi-Fi servers, such as in a restaurant or café, to avoid tax identity theft.
NEW CRA SERVICES
‘MyBenefits’ CRA Mobile Application
Similar to the MyCRA mobile application (see below), the ‘MyBenefits’ application allows taxpayers to confirm their eligibility for any benefits, view status of their benefits application, and details of government-paid benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit. Taxpayers can view the amount of the benefit, next date of payment, and other such information.
CRA Account Alerts Services
As a fraud prevention measure, the new ‘Account Alert’ service sends an e-mail to the taxpayer if any changes are made to the address, contact information, or direct deposit banking information or if mail sent to you by the Canada Revenue Agency was returned. It is highly recommended that Canadian taxpayers register for this service through My Account or MyCRA mobile app.
Express Notice of Assessment (NOA) Service
With the help of ‘Express NOA service, taxpayers can receive their NOA directly into their tax software within a day. However, to use this service, taxpayers have to be registered for the online mail service (see below), and use e-filing services to file their tax returns.
Other CRA Services Related Changes
MyCRA Mobile Application
MyCRA is a mobile app that allows individual Canadian taxpayers to view and update their tax-related personal information. The application allows taxpayers to view their filed tax returns, benefits and credit information, RRSP and TFSA contribution limits, and Notice of Assessments.
Taxpayers may also update their contact information, dependents’ information, and details of their direct deposit account or request a ‘proof of income’. This year, the CRA added the ability to update your marital status and sign up for account alerts using the ‘MyCRA’ mobile application.
MyCRA Online Mail
The ‘Online Mail’ service allows taxpayers to receive certain CRA correspondence in their secure CRA My Account instead of having it received by postal mail. This year, the CRA now provides taxpayers the ability to receive their benefit notices and slips, and instalment reminders using ‘online mail’.
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
Canadian taxpayers earning low income and with a simple tax situation can rely on using CRA’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) for assistance in filing their tax return. CVITP hosts free tax preparation clinics and arranges for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for qualifying taxpayers. During the year, the CRA we are recruited more organizations and volunteers to help expand the program in more communities. Now more Canadians than ever can receive help to do their taxes and ensure they are receiving the credits and benefits they are eligible for.
CRA Services for Businesses
CRA Business Tax Reminders Application
Designed specifically for small and medium-sized business taxpayers with annual revenue less than $20 million and employees less than 500, the Business Tax Reminders mobile application allows business taxpayers to create reminders and alerts for CRA tax due dates and deadlines. These reminders can be set for instalment payments, tax returns, and withholding remittance. The app is designed to benefit businesses. It is not intended for individual use.
These are some of the useful tax services that Canadians can rely on to keep themselves up-to-date with their tax information. It’s highly recommended that Canadian taxpayers subscribe to these services.
AG TAX LLP CAN HELP
If you have any tax-related queries, need assistance with tax planning or filing your tax returns please contact us. Our team comprises of highly experienced tax professionals with extensive knowledge of US and Canadian tax laws as well as cross-border compliance.
Furthermore, as a full service accounting firm, AG Tax assures complete assistance with even your most complex tax needs.
We can assist with:
- Canadian Personal and corporate tax returns
- Cross Border Taxation and Business Planning
- US Personal and Corporate Taxation
- Disclosure of Foreign Assets and other information filings
- Retirement planning
- Estate Planning, Inheritance tax advice
To obtain a quote or to arrange for a tax consultation to discuss your US Canada cross border tax queries, please contact us at:
- 604-538-8735 (Greater Vancouver Area, BC)
- 780-702-2732 (Greater Edmonton Area, AB)
Disclaimer: The information in this publication is accurate as of the time of its publication. AG Tax assumes no responsibility for changes to tax legislation subsequent to the publication of this document. The information provided is for general information purposes only and should not be acted upon without seeking professional advice. If you would like to engage our services, please contact our staff and obtain authorization to send our firm confidential information. A client relationship is not created by the transmission of information. A client relationship is only formed with our firm when a scope and engagement letter signed by the firm and the potential client detailing the terms of engagement is present.
