Teacher Kajsa Hansen, for example, expected to receive a tax refund estimated at $12,467 to cover large expenses, such as buying a new battery for her motorized wheelchair.
While waiting for her tax refund, she says she is forced into debt by accumulating these charges on her credit card.
It makes me angry and frustrates me
says the Calgary resident, who suffers from a genetic condition that affects her mobility.
Kajsa Hansen is not the only one to have found herself in this situation.
Edmonton elementary school teacher Chelsea Turcotte had hoped to use part of her estimated $4,061 refund to cover rising utility costs, but had to borrow money to pay for it all.
” I had to ask my mother for a loan. It breaks my heart to have to take this step, but that’s where we are right now. »
No light at the end of the tunnel
According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), approximately 50,000 teachers’ tax returns are currently being withheld due to claims for tax credits for school supplies purchased for their students.
Recently, the federal government increased the maximum refund that teachers can receive in school supply tax credits from $150 to $250.
However, this change is part of the provisions of Bill C-8, which has still not been passed. In other words, until this bill is passed, teachers’ requests will not be processed.
Tabled in Parliament in mid-December, Bill C-8 has not yet passed third reading in the House of Commons. It will then have to be presented to the Senate.
In addition, notes tax expert Armando Minicucci of Grant Thornton in Toronto, theBOW confirmed earlier this week that teachers who have already submitted their return cannot submit it again until they receive their notice of assessment.
” Unfortunately, there is nothing they can do at this point other than to hope that the bill will pass soon. »
It’s not just the tax credit [pour fournitures scolaires], it’s the whole process of any other reimbursement they get that is now being delayed because their returns are being set aside. And that’s just not fair
says Sam Hammond, president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation.
Kajsa Hansen was counting on a tax refund to buy a new battery for her wheelchair. She is now forced, like thousands of other teachers, to be patient.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Colin Hall/CBC
Communication faultBOW?
L’BOW told Radio-Canada that as early as February 18, it advised tax preparers and tax software developers that the law would not be passed in time for tax season.
On the other hand, the federal body does not say whether or not it alerted taxpayers.
Radio-Canada found an alert posted on a federal government website about it, but a search of internet archives found it was added on April 9 or possibly later.
Winnipeg elementary school teacher Kathryn Olson says it was through a social media post from a colleague that she found out her claim for an estimated $1,087 tax refund was going to be heard. a delay in processing.
It is [un montant] important enough to cause stress
she testifies.
Radio-Canada interviewed a total of five teachers who submitted their tax returns during the months of February and March, and all say they were unaware of the existence of the potential delay.
With information from Sophia Harris
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca