News release

Revenue Canada reminds Canadians of tax-filing deadline

OTTAWA, April 20, 1998... Revenue Canada today reminded Canadians that they have until midnight on April 30, 1998, to file their 1997 income tax returns.

Revenue Canada will consider tax returns that it receives by April 30, or that are postmarked by that date, to be filed on time. Late-filing penalties and interest on amounts owing will apply beginning May 1, 1998.

Clients who file a paper return after April 15, and are expecting a refund, will get it in about six weeks. Those clients who file their returns electronically (EFILE) or use Revenue Canada's new telephone filing option (TELEFILE), and have asked the Department to direct deposit their refund, can expect to receive it in about two weeks.

Revenue Canada also urged individuals who are unable to file their returns on time because of the ice storm or other circumstances clearly beyond their control, to include a letter with their return outlining the reasons for the delay. The Department will take these circumstances into account and will deal with the penalty and interest accordingly, as long as the returns are filed within a reasonable time.

The fairness provisions are designed to permit Revenue Canada to use a common-sense approach to assist its clients in resolving problems that arise through no fault of their own. The Department will look at each individual situation on a case-by-case basis.

Revenue Canada also reminded self-employed individuals and their spouses that their filing deadline is June 15, 1998. Clients who owe tax for 1997 normally have to pay the balance owing by April 30, 1998, whether the return is due then or on June 15.

However, the Department announced that some relief would be given to taxfilers in those areas of Quebec and Eastern Ontario most affected by the January ice storm. In these areas, self-employed individuals and their spouses who have a balance owing will not be charged penalties or interest until after June 15, 1998 if they include a letter with their return outlining their circumstances.

To date, Revenue Canada has received about 11.4 million returns, including over 3 million that were filed electronically and approximately 326,000 that were filed by phone using TELEFILE. So far, the Department has processed over 9 million returns with refunds totaling $6.6 billion. The average refund amount is $1,033.

Revenue Canada also reminded individuals and their spouses to file their tax returns to ensure they continue to receive any federal child tax benefits to which they are entitled. Individuals also have to file their returns to receive their Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax credits.

If they need help completing or filing their tax returns, Canadians should take advantage of the many services Revenue Canada offers, including the following:

• Revenue Canada has extended the hours of its bilingual telephone enquiries service. This service is available Monday to Thursday, from 8:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time until April 30, 1998. On Saturdays, it is available between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. local time.
  
  
• Clients who are using the Department's TELEFILE service can do so between 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
  
  
• Many Revenue Canada offices will be open until midnight on April 30, 1998, to accept income tax returns. The Department will announce the location of these offices locally.
  
  
• People can get information about the status of their tax refunds by calling the Department's automated phone service (T.I.P.S.). The telephone numbers for both T.I.P.S. and the telephone enquiries service are listed under "Revenue Canada" in the Government of Canada section of local telephone directories.

Finally, Revenue Canada and Canada's Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, reminded individuals that, starting this year, Elections Canada is asking for their help in keeping the National Register of Electors up to date. On page one of the return, there is a box where taxfilers can authorize Revenue Canada to forward essential elector information (name, address, and date of birth) to Elections Canada. To ensure the individual's privacy, this authorization will be required every year. An accurate and complete Register of Electors is expected to save Canadians about $30 million for each federal general election or referendum.

- 30 -

For media information, contact:

17T/98