News release

Launch of GST/HST TELEFILE pilot project in Atlantic Canada

Ottawa, May 5, 2000... The Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of National Revenue and Secretary of State responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the launch of a GST/HST TELEFILE pilot project in Atlantic Canada.

Selected business clients in Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick will be invited by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) to participate in the project. The CCRA anticipates that GST/HST TELEFILE will be an attractive option for businesses looking for a more efficient and secure alternative to filing paper-based returns.

"We constantly seek new ways to provide more efficient and responsive service to Canadian businesses," Minister Cauchon said. "The pilot project will determine the support of the business community for filing GST/HST returns by telephone."

Eligible business clients who have nil GST/HST returns or who expect refunds of $10,000 or less will be able to file their GST/HST returns in a matter of minutes using a toll-free number. An automated telephone process will prompt clients to give their tax information. Once the data has been given, clients will be asked to confirm that they want to file the information as their return. Clients will get a confirmation number at once, and the processing of their return will start.

"Approximately 70,000 businesses in Atlantic Canada will be eligible to use GST/HST TELEFILE this year," Minister Cauchon added. "GST/HST TELEFILE is another excellent example of how the Government of Canada is using leading-edge technology to improve service and reduce business administration costs."

More information on GST/HST TELEFILE is available at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/gsthst-telefile

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