Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism
The VPD says it launched an investigation Tuesday after being alerted by a social media post that the glass covering the memorial in Coal Harbour had been shattered. Const. Jason Doucette says officers are looking into any links to what he called a "similar crime" in which glass sections of the Olympic Cauldron less than 200 metres away were smashed on Saturday morning.

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP
A statement posted to social media by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the family of four turned and ran when the bear charged them Monday evening. The service says the bear chased them and attacked one woman, while another woman and a teenage boy were injured trying to help her.  

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide
The homicide team says in a statement that Kia Ebrahimian pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday. Police were called to a Langley house fire on June 13, 2020, and found the bodies of the man's mother Tatiana Bazyar, his brother Befrin Ebrahimian and Francesco Zangrilli.  

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it
The federal government plans to send cheques of up to $650 to qualifying low- and medium-income households to help pay for children's dental needs through the same platform used for Canada Child Benefit payments. That is run through the Canada Revenue Agency, which the experts suggest could be a problem because many low-income families are less likely to file tax returns.

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister
Murray Rankin says fighting crime by arresting more people is "futile," and the government is instead considering a range of options to keep people safe. Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon told the legislature that the government has continued a "catch-and-release" policy where repeat offenders are quickly freed from custody despite being accused of violent crimes.  

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park
A Twitter account for the district's emergency services division had posted on Saturday afternoon saying the fire was "under control and not spreading," but on Sunday the BC Wildfire Service's website lists the blaze as out-of-control. Videos posted online by the district show a helicopter dumping water on the fire.

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park