The holidays are approaching, but scammers aren’t taking any breaks from their attempts to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Scammers prey on the increased financial pressures that many of us face around the holidays, so it’s important to be aware of how and when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will contact you to distinguish legitimate communications from the CRA, and scams.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would like to remind taxpayers and registrants that they have until December 31, 2022, to make a taxpayer relief request related to the 2012 tax year or reporting period.

Taxpayers that want to ask for penalty or interest relief, must send their request within ten years from the end of the calendar year or fiscal period of concern. The CRA may also cancel interest and penalties that accrued within 10 calendar years of the year the taxpayer relief request is made, regardless of the tax year or reporting period in which the debt originated.

For many Canadians, rising inflation and the high cost of living have made it even more challenging to find a safe and affordable place to call home. Renter households are four times more likely to experience core housing needs than homeowners. That is why the Government of Canada has taken concrete action to help renters who need it most.

Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, are taking action and announcing that applications for the new one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit are now open. This benefit is a one-time payment of $500 to eligible lower-income renters experiencing housing affordability challenges.

No one likes last-minute delays or waiting on the phone at tax time. You can avoid this by preparing early and using our digital services. You will be able to update your personal information and view your tax and benefit information ahead of time.

Filing and payment deadline

You will be able to file your income tax and benefit return for 2022 starting on February 20, 2023. The deadline for most Canadians to file their income tax and benefit return for 2022 is April 30, 2023. Filing your return before the deadline will allow you to avoid interruptions to any refund, benefit or credit payments you may be eligible for.

The first of the Government of Canada’s new financial support measures will take effect this Friday, November 4, 2022 with the additional one-time goods and services tax credit (GST credit) payment.

This additional one-time payment will double the GST credit for six months for those who receive it, to help make life more affordable.

GST credit recipients do not need to apply for the additional payment. It will be sent automatically by direct deposit or mailed to eligible individuals. The payment amount is calculated based on an individual’s family situation in October 2022 and on their 2021 tax and benefit return.

The maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for 2023 will be $66,600—up from $64,900 in 2022. The new ceiling was calculated according to a CPP legislated formula that takes into account the growth in average weekly wages and salaries in Canada.

Contributors who earn more than $66,600 in 2023 are not required or permitted to make additional contributions to the CPP.

The basic exemption amount for 2023 remains at $3,500.

During Small Business Week 2022, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is celebrating small businesses and recognizing their contributions to the growth of our economy. The Agency is working hard, every day, to improve its services. We know that businesses are still facing continuing challenges as they work to rebuild since the onset of the pandemic. We are here to help. Here are some new and existing CRA services that can support you and your small business now and in the future.

Have you or your business been approached by a third party offering to apply for Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives on your behalf? The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has observed a recent increase in SR&ED claims containing false and/or non-compliant information. The CRA is advising you to be cautious if you receive an unsolicited offer to help you claim SR&ED investment tax credits.

On September 24 and 25, 2022, Hurricane Fiona swept through Atlantic Canada and part of Quebec, causing heavy rain and high winds. Impacts included flooding, road washouts, downed trees, utility outages, and damage to coastal infrastructure.

This widespread damage is having a devastating impact on many businesses and Canadians residing in these areas. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) understands that at this time, the safety and well-being of loved ones is the primary concern for those affected.

The CRA is committed to a proactive approach to providing relief to the communities and taxpayers impacted by this event whenever possible.

The Government of Canada has proposed new financial support measures to make life more affordable for Canadians. The proposed Canada Dental Benefit would provide financial support for children under 12 years old if they receive dental care for which the parent has out of pocket costs and does not have access to a private dental insurance plan. The proposed one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit would provide a $500 payment to low-income renters facing housing affordability challenges. The government also proposed to double the Goods and Services Tax Credit (GSTC) for six months for those who receive it.

For GSTC recipients who have already received a payment this year, there would be no need to apply for the additional payment. The additional GSTC amount would be issued to eligible recipients automatically.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is focused on making it simpler for you to find the information you need to file your taxes on time and to manage your tax affairs. Filing tax returns on paper always takes more time than filing electronically so why not join the over 90% of corporations that already file their returns electronically?

By filing electronically, corporations receive immediate confirmation that the CRA has received their return, enjoy faster processing and refunds, save on mailing costs, and help the environment by using less paper.

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! Here are answers to five of the top business tax information questions.

• How do I register for My Business Account?

• How do I authorize a representative for my business?

• How do I access CRA’s online services for businesses?

• How do I make payments to the CRA?

• How do I file GST/HST using GST/HST NETFILE?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) knows that it can be intimidating for new businesses to file their first tax return. That’s why we aim to help small businesses by ensuring they have the information and guidance they need to stay organized and to understand and meet their tax obligations.

Here’s what you need to know if you are a new business and have questions about filing your income tax and benefit return or your T2 corporation income tax return:

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has launched re-designed Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program web pages to make it easy for you to find the information you need to claim SR&ED investment tax credits.

We have also updated our interactive Self-Assessment and Learning Tool (SALT), so you can determine whether your research and development (R&D) work could qualify for investment tax credits and your potential claim amount.

Did you know that some Canadians are entitled to benefits and credits but they don’t know that they are? You may be leaving money on the table by not filing your income tax and benefit return.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants you to receive the benefits and credits you’re entitled to. We use the information from your tax return to calculate your benefit and credit payments.

The only way to find out what you are missing is by filing!

June 15, 2022, is the deadline for self-employed individuals to file their 2021 income tax and benefit return. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants to remind businesses that we are here to support you and your business in meeting your tax obligations.

The Liaison Officer Service

The CRA offers free Liaison Officer services to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals to help them understand their tax obligations. A visit from a Liaison Officer is 100% confidential: the information you choose to discuss with them will not be shared with other areas of the CRA, or anyone else.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is here to support you and your business in meeting your tax obligations.

If you are a self-employed individual, or if your spouse or common-law partner is self-employed, you have until June 15, 2022, to file your 2021 income tax and benefit return.

What are my tax obligations as a self-employed individual?

If you earned self-employment income from a business that you operate yourself or with a partner, you have to report that income by filing a tax return.

When you're self-employed and you operate your business, you must pay the following:

• personal income tax

• Canada Pension Plan contributions

• Employment Insurance premiums if you are eligible and have registered to participate

Reporting your income also means that the CRA will have the most accurate information on file to determine if you are eligible for provincial and territorial tax credits and benefits, the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit.

The quick and decisive actions taken by the Government of Canada to provide income support through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) helped more than 8 million workers and their families stay afloat, and millions more through the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) that followed.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada selected an attestation-based approach to provide this urgently-needed income support to Canadians in a timely fashion. Individuals determined if they were eligible for benefits based on established, publicly available criteria. The Government has been clear throughout the pandemic that while there will not be any penalties for those who applied for these benefits in good faith, individuals will have to repay the emergency benefits for which they were not entitled.

Request changes online

You can change your return online by using the improved and simplified Change my return option found in My Account, or by using ReFILE. These services are the fastest, easiest and most secure way to change a return. If you cannot request changes online because your return is still being processed, you must wait until it has been assessed.

The draft legislation that includes the enhancement to the Educator School Supply Tax Credit and the Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds to Farmers Tax Credit has not received Parliamentary approval. Once the legislation is approved by Parliament, the CRA will process the tax returns with these refundable credits. Contact us if you have questions.

With the enhancements to Change my return, you may be prompted by questions and/or messages when errors are detected that must be resolved before you can proceed with your submission.

GST/HST is collected on most taxable supplies of property and services made in Canada, with some exceptions. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has information to help GST/HST registrants file and remit the GST/HST that they have collected.

Register for a GST/HST account if you are an eligible entity and haven’t already registered

To find out if you should register for a GST/HST account, click When to register and start charging the GST/HST.

A GST/HST account number is part of a business number (BN) that is received after registering for a GST/HST account online, by mail or by fax, or by telephone.

Non residents who want to register for a GST/HST account can visit: Guide RC4027, Doing Business in Canada – GST/HST Information for Non-Residents.