This year is already different from most because April 30 falls on a Sunday. That means the tax filing deadline has been moved forward a day to May 1. For self-employed individuals and their spouses, the tax filing deadline remains June 15, but you must have your taxes paid by May 1 to avoid any interest or penalties.
But more confusion and uncertainty is starting to spread as a result of the recent public services strike.
On Wednesday April 20, approximately 39,000 CRA employees went on strike, along with more than 100,000 other federal workers. As can be expected this will come with some service disruptions.
To help clarify the situation, here’s the information the CRA has provided so far.
Because of the strike, some services will be delayed or unavailable. This includes income tax and benefit returns, specifically those filed by paper. If you haven’t started already, this is a good time to start filing online.
The CRA has closed the business inquiries line so that they can prioritize benefit payment related calls and longer wait times should be expected.
Where possible, you can use the CRA’s online service to file taxes, make payments and access other features and services. The Koroll & Company team is also available to assist with any tax questions or inquiries you may have.
While rumors have been circulating that the tax deadlines may be changing, this is not the case. The CRA says there are no plans to extend the due date and that taxes are due on Monday, May 1, 2023.
If you have any questions or need assistance navigating these disruptions and changes to service, please contact us today.