News release

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency issues April goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments

Ottawa, April 7, 2000... The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) will send out the April goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments beginning on April 7, 2000. Individuals who have their GST/HST credit payments deposited directly into their accounts at their financial institutions can expect them on the day they are issued.

Individuals who receive their GST/HST credit cheques by mail can expect to receive them within the next 10 working days. If they have not received their cheques by April 25, they should contact the CCRA's refund enquiry service. This service is available from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The number is listed under "Revenue Canada" or "Canada Customs and Revenue Agency", in the government section of the telephone book.

The CCRA expects to issue GST/HST credit payments totalling more than $666 million to about 8 million individuals across Canada this quarter.

To continue receiving the GST/HST credit after the April 2000 payment, people must file their 1999 income tax return on or before May 1, 2000 and complete the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit application area on the first page of the return. Individuals who move must inform the CCRA immediately to ensure that payments of their GST/HST credit are not disrupted, even if they use dthe irect deposit.

General information regarding the GST/HST credit can be obtained through the CCRA's automated Tax Information Phone Service (T.I.P.S.). This service is available from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Information on the GST/HST credit can also be found on the CCRA's Internet site at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca under Newsroom and on the "Child and Family Benefits" page.

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