News release

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

Ottawa, January 12, 2001... The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) will send out the January goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit payments beginning on January 12, 2001. 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 January 26, 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 "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 $683 million to more than 8 million individuals across Canada this quarter.

Payments under the Saskatchewan Sales Tax Credit (SSTC) program are also included with the January 2001 GST/HST credit payments. The SSTC is a new program designed to improve the fairness of the provincial sales tax for lower income Saskatchewan residents. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is administering the SSTC program, which is funded entirely by the Government of Saskatchewan, on the province's behalf.

To receive GST/HST credit payments after April 2001, people must file their 2000 income tax return on or before April 30, 2001 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 direct deposit and their bank account does not change.

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 under " Newsroom" and on the "Child and Family Benefits" page on the CCRA's Internet site at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

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