January 28, 2014 – Ottawa – Canada Revenue Agency
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, with the Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Edward Fast, Minister for International Trade, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, and Ms. Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), today highlighted the Government's progress on red tape reduction. Minister Findlay expressed optimism for the relationship between businesses and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which has been made stronger as a result of the red tape reduction measures the CRA has implemented to date.
As of January 6, 2014, businesses can file their T5013, Partnership Information Return, electronically through My Business Account and Represent a Client. In addition, the CRA's Liaison Officer Initiative will provide in-person support and information to small and medium enterprises at key points as their business grows, to help them get it "right from the start."
In the fall of 2014, the CRA will again conduct red tape reduction consultations with small businesses and their service providers in cities across the country, seeking their views on the CRA's progress on reducing red tape and ensuring the Agency's action plans remain relevant to the needs of small businesses.
In the past year, the Government of Canada implemented significant red tape reduction measures, from increasing its accountability to businesses, introducing time-saving measures, to enabling businesses to file and manage their information online.
Accomplishments in 2013:
- Agent ID for the CRA's business enquiries telephone service. Now, when a business owner calls the CRA, the agent who answers provides an ID number at the beginning of the call. The Agent ID number increases the CRA's accountability for business calls, ensures a consistent experience for callers, and makes it easier for business owners to give feedback on CRA services.
- A one-stop-shop webpage for business services. Businesses can now easily find information and service options relevant to their tax situation.
- The My Business Account online enquiries service. Businesses or their representatives can ask the CRA tax-related questions about their accounts online and they will receive answers online and in writing.
- A new online mail service for Canadian small businesses. Through Manage Online Mail, Canadian businesses can choose to receive their notices of assessment and reassessment electronically, and some letters for their corporate and GST/HST accounts.
- A new CRA Red Tape Reduction Action Plan webpage. Businesses can see up-to-date information on the CRA's red tape reduction progress.
Carter Mann
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
819-994-2482
Noël Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184
