(Ottawa) The federal government is providing tax relief to individuals, businesses and charities in eastern Canada who have been affected by the passage of the post-tropical storm Fiona.
Posted at 8:56 p.m.
The Minister of National Revenue, Diane Lebouthillier, had asked the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to explore the options available to relieve the victims as soon as she understood the devastating impact of the storm.
The CRA is therefore extending by one month the due date for corporate income tax returns, trust income tax returns, and GST and HST returns in the Atlantic provinces and the -Madeleine, Quebec.
Tax returns can now be filed until October 31, and there will be no penalty or interest for returns filed after the usual September 30 deadline.
People who were unable to meet their tax obligations due to the storm will have their claims reviewed on a priority basis, the agency said.
Other tax-related notices, including re-determinations of benefits related to COVID-19 and notices related to business and charity filings, will be temporarily suspended.
Mme Lebouthillier told reporters outside the House of Commons that it was important to her to ease the anxiety those affected are feeling in the aftermath of the storm and allow them to focus on cleaning up and reconstruction.