OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan 28, 2014) - Canada Revenue Agency

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, with the Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Edward Fast, Minister for International Trade, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, and Ms. Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), today highlighted the Government's progress on red tape reduction. Minister Findlay expressed optimism for the relationship between businesses and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), which has been made stronger as a result of the red tape reduction measures the CRA has implemented to date.

As of January 6, 2014, businesses can file their T5013, Partnership Information Return, electronically through My Business Account and Represent a Client. In addition, the CRA's Liaison Officer Initiative will provide in-person support and information to small and medium enterprises at key points as their business grows, to help them get it "right from the start."

In the fall of 2014, the CRA will again conduct red tape reduction consultations with small businesses and their service providers in cities across the country, seeking their views on the CRA's progress on reducing red tape and ensuring the Agency's action plans remain relevant to the needs of small businesses.

In the past year, the Government of Canada implemented significant red tape reduction measures, from increasing its accountability to businesses, introducing time-saving measures, to enabling businesses to file and manage their information online.

Accomplishments in 2013:

- Agent ID for the CRA's business enquiries telephone service. Now, when a business owner calls the CRA, the agent who answers provides an ID number at the beginning of the call. The Agent ID number increases the CRA's accountability for business calls, ensures a consistent experience for callers, and makes it easier for business owners to give feedback on CRA services.

- A one-stop-shop webpage for business services. Businesses can now easily find information and service options relevant to their tax situation.

- The My Business Account online enquiries service. Businesses or their representatives can ask the CRA tax-related questions about their accounts online and they will receive answers online and in writing.

- A new online mail service for Canadian small businesses. Through Manage Online Mail, Canadian businesses can choose to receive their notices of assessment and reassessment electronically, and some letters for their corporate and GST/HST accounts.

- A new CRA Red Tape Reduction Action Plan webpage. Businesses can see up-to-date information on the CRA's red tape reduction progress.

Quick Facts

- In the fall of 2012, the CRA held its own consultations with businesses. The results of the 2012 consultations are available in the report Focusing on Small Business Priorities: Canada Revenue Agency Consultations on Cutting Red Tape.

- To participate in the upcoming consultations, please visit the CRA's Red Tape Reduction webpage regularly, and stay connected by subscribing to our mailing lists and joining the conversation on Twitter.

- From April 2013 to November 2013, the CRA responded to almost 4,300 enquiries online through the My Business Account enquiries service, a 25% increase over the same period last year.

- Using the CRA's business number (BN) as the common identifier for federal, provincial, and municipal interactions with businesses is part of the effort to reduce red tape for small businesses. So far, six provinces and one city have adopted the BN. More municipalities and governments are expected to adopt the BN to facilitate registration and eliminate duplicate accounts and errors.

Quotes

"I would like to thank the CFIB for their input on CRA red tape measures implemented in the past year, specifically on the Agent ID and My Business Account online enquiries. With the help of business communities, our Government has made significant progress on making compliance easier and decreasing regulatory burdens so businesses can be competitive and innovative within their sectors. This will in turn create jobs and underscore Canada's reputation as one of the best places in the world to do business. Since most businesses in Canada have less than 100 employees, it's very important to meet their needs and continue to encourage their feedback and ideas. The CRA's promise is to consult businesses every two years, and this year, we hope to reach further than we have ever before."

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue

Associated Links

Focusing on Small Business Priorities: Canada Revenue Agency Consultations on Cutting Red Tape

CRA's Red Tape Reduction webpage

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