Close X
Sunday, November 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

CRA should warn about clawbacks: Taxpayer watchdog

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Dec, 2022 01:13 PM
  • CRA should warn about clawbacks: Taxpayer watchdog

OTTAWA - Taxpayers' Ombudsperson François Boileau says the Canada Revenue Agency should warn Canadians applying for benefits about the risk of potential clawbacks to other income supports.

In his latest annual report, Boileau recommended that the CRA make it clear to applicants that benefits that increase their income could affect other benefits they receive,including provincial benefits.

Boileau said during a news conference Tuesday that the recommendation was inspired by the experience of some seniors during the pandemic who saw their guaranteed income supplements cut because they accepted COVID-19 benefits.

"We thought that it might happen again in the future," Boileau said.

The federal government issued one-time payments in April to compensate seniors affected by such clawbacks.

Boileau's report provided other recommendations to the CRA to improve its service delivery and highlighted that 40 per cent of the inquiries his office received last year related to COVID-19 benefits.

The ombudsperson also raised concerns about vulnerable individuals not filing their taxes and therefore missing out on benefits.

Boileau said he would be providing recommendations in the future to address that.

His report notes that while the CRA has publicly reported 93.5 per cent of Canadians participate in the tax system, academics estimate the proportion to be slightly lower.

"We're still trying to fully understand the problem and actually propose concrete solutions, so that's why there's no recommendations this year. But you bet there will be at another point," Boileau said.

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Ferries fined $674,000 over worker's death

BC Ferries fined $674,000 over worker's death
The worker leaned onto a fabric webbing panel that broke away when he was trying to retrieve an item floating in the water, and he drowned. The agency says the worker wasn't wearing a life-jacket and the fabric panels were insufficient at stopping him from falling into the water below.    

BC Ferries fined $674,000 over worker's death

B.C. launches fire prevention project amid deaths

B.C. launches fire prevention project amid deaths
The Office of the Fire Commissioner's annual report says fire-related deaths have increased in B.C. by 119 per cent since 2020 and victims older than 65 were overly represented.

B.C. launches fire prevention project amid deaths

Public Health Agency of Canada issues a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on monkeypox for many countries

Public Health Agency of Canada issues a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on monkeypox for many countries
During your travel, you may be subject to procedures at your destination put in place to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation, should you become infected. You may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should you become ill, and may experience delays in returning home.

Public Health Agency of Canada issues a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on monkeypox for many countries

Summit Day 1: Biden to Kimmel, Trudeau to Barbados

Summit Day 1: Biden to Kimmel, Trudeau to Barbados
Before his leader-level meetings get underway, Biden is sitting down to tape an appearance with talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel. Trudeau, who arrived in Los Angeles late Tuesday, is getting down to work on environmental priorities with Barbados counterpart Mia Mottley.

Summit Day 1: Biden to Kimmel, Trudeau to Barbados

One in custody after police standoff in Victoria

One in custody after police standoff in Victoria
Officers were called to an apartment in the 2500-block of Quadra Street Tuesday afternoon for a man in a mental health crisis who was said to be at risk of becoming violent. Police say the man refused to speak with them, and barricaded himself inside the unit.

One in custody after police standoff in Victoria

Avian flu cases on B.C., Alberta farms: CFIA

Avian flu cases on B.C., Alberta farms: CFIA
Outbreaks on June 2 have also been confirmed in two small flocks in Alberta, pushing the total number of cases there to 31 since a commercial poultry flock was infected on April 6.

Avian flu cases on B.C., Alberta farms: CFIA