Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops
The coroners inquest probed the November 2016 death of Daniel Rintoul, who attacked and stabbed a staff member, tried to steal a gun from a gun case and took a hostage at an east Vancouver Canadian Tire. The 38-year-old, nearly six-foot, 350-pound man was shot nine times after repeatedly stabbing one of the officers who was trying to arrest him.

Jury weighs in after man shot 9 times by B.C. cops

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix, who called it a "disappointing" end to the meetings, had previously said provincial and territorial ministers were united behind a request for federal funding to be increased to 35 per cent, up from 22 per cent.

Health fund talks end without deal as feds balk

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony
Mayor Locke's vision and commitment to residents is to ensure transparency, restore public engagement, and maintain Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction. All voices will be heard and I look forward to working with all the residents of Surrey.

Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM
Voters across the U.S. are headed to the polls to decide whether Republicans or Democrats should wield control on Capitol Hill. Trudeau says the close ties between the two countries have always transcended politics, and he doesn't expect that to change, whatever the outcome.

Canada will work with Congress of any stripe: PM

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau
The money is in addition to the $2.75 billion already in the government's Universal Broadband Fund, which is dedicated to connecting 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026 and 100 per cent of Canadians by 2030.

$475 million more for rural internet: Trudeau

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'
Environment Canada data shows the region just north of Vancouver received 56 millimetres of precipitation this month and 68 mm in the last 10 days of October, but saw only a trace of rain between July and mid-October, when it usually records 200 mm or more.

Water supply on Sunshine Coast remains 'uncertain'