The Minister of National Revenue announces expanded service to help small businesses
News release
May 10, 2019 Ottawa, Ontario Canada Revenue Agency
Small businesses make significant contributions in communities across Canada and are an integral part of the Canadian economy. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is committed to improving services for small businesses and ensuring all Canadians can get the information they need about taxes and benefits easily and quickly.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, announced today the expansion of the CRA’s Liaison Officer service. The Liaison Officer service uses an education-based approach to help small businesses meet their tax obligations by providing them with free in-person support and guidance. The expansion will open the door for small corporations to book free in-person visits and group seminars with one of over 130 liaison officers across the country.
Since the launch of the service in 2014, more than 35,500 small businesses have benefitted from access to free in-person support and education to help them fully understand their tax obligations. Previously only unincorporated businesses and self-employed individuals could ask for this service.
This important step towards improving services for small businesses is one of the CRA’s priorities identified in Budget 2019. The expansion of the Liaison Officer service is part of ongoing efforts to improve service delivery for Canadians.
To book an in-person visit or group seminar, visit canada.ca/cra-liaison-officer.
Quotes
“Raised in a family of entrepreneurs myself, I have made it a priority to ensure that we are offering Canadian small businesses the best service possible. With the expansion of the Liaison Officer service, the CRA will now be able to help even more small businesses comply with their tax obligations.”
-The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
“Our government is making it easier for Canadian businesses by reducing the small business tax rate; asking credit card companies to lower the fees they charge small businesses; and cutting red tape. The Canada Revenue Agency’s expansion of its free Liaison Officer service to small incorporated companies will help small businesses more easily meet their tax obligations, so they can have more time to do what they do best, grow their business and create jobs from coast to coast to coast.”
-The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion
Quick facts
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Over 130 liaison officers are available to help small businesses across Canada, including the Northern territories, understand their tax obligations.
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Liaison officers currently visit approximately 9,500 unincorporated small businesses each year. By broadening the reach and scope of the Liaison Officer service to include incorporated small businesses, the CRA expects to help an additional 1,700 businesses per year.
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The expansion of the Liaison Officer service responds to needs expressed by small businesses during the Serving You Better consultations, which provide a forum for small and medium businesses and accountants to share valuable insights which the CRA can use to make its programs and services more streamlined and client-focused.
Associated links
Contacts
Émilie Gagnon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-299-5412
emilie.gagnon@cra-arc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-948-8366
cra-arc.media@cra-arc.gc.ca
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