No reprisals for criticizing taxman: CRA

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights has been revised to include an assurance that formal complaints against CRA won’t land disgruntled taxpayers on a reprisal list.

Read: CRA updates T1135 form

Article 16, “the right to lodge a service complaint and request a formal review without fear of reprisal,” addresses a fear expressed by Canadians when complaining about the service or treatment they receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

“This new right represents a significant step forward for taxpayers and benefit recipients who have reservations about lodging a service complaint,” said J. Paul Dubé, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsman. “Not only has [Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue] heard and accepted my recommendation to include Article 16, but the CRA is committed to implementing it.”

Read: Is updated T1135 cause for celebration?

Dubé heard from stakeholders across the country that they were sometimes afraid to complain about the CRA or invoke their rights as taxpayers and recognized the need for action. “Even if taxpayers have rights, those rights are diminished if they are afraid to use them. My Office is addressing this fear with Article 16 and, in turn, strengthening our existence as an independent and impartial Ombudsman’s office that can, and does, spark change and improvement for taxpayers,” he said.

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The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.