CRA Encourages Canadians Affected by Floods to Apply for Tax Relief | The Canadian News

The Canada Revenue Agency is encouraging flood-affected Canadians to apply taxpayer relief that could save them deadlines, penalties, and interest while dealing with disaster.

The CRA issued the advisory on Tuesday, when the third of three storms in a row hit British Columbia, which is already recovering from the catastrophic November 14-15 floods.

Communities in southwestern Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia were also hit by record storms last week, with additional rains expected Tuesday.

“The CRA understands that at this time, the safety and well-being of loved ones is the primary concern of those affected,” the agency said in a press release.

“The CRA wants to ensure that Canadians facing such extraordinary circumstances are treated fairly if they are unable to meet their tax obligations during this time.”

Residents, business owners and first responders affected by the floods can apply for the CRA’s taxpayer relief program, which provides relief from penalties or interest at the “discretion” of the finance minister under “extraordinary circumstances”.

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Taxpayers may also want sign up for direct deposit with the CRA rather than receiving checks in the mail, the CRA added, as they may experience shipping delays.

Anyone with debt who requires assistance at this time can also contact the CRA’s Debt Management Call Center at 1-888-863-8657 for assistance.

April 30 is the deadline for filing taxes in Canada this year. The federal government did not extend the deadline into 2021 as it did when the COVID-19 pandemic first struck in 2020.