Office of the Taxpayers' OmbudsmanCanada News Centre2024-03-26T10:29:26-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/news.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/etc/designs/canada/wet-boew/assets/wmms-blk.svgTaxpayers’ Ombudsperson launches systemic examination into delays in Canada child benefit payments for temporary residentshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-launches-systemic-examination-into-delays-in-canada-child-benefit-payments-for-temporary-residents.htmlThe Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has opened a systemic examination into issues that could prevent some temporary residents from receiving the Canada child benefit (CCB) in a timely manner.
Temporary residents are legally authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to enter Canada for temporary purposes, including as a visitor, student, worker, or temporary resident permit holder. Most temporary residents are eligible to receive the CCB in their 19th month of continuous residency in Canada. However, the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) has found issues that could be causing unnecessary interruptions in CCB payments to some temporary residents. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-03-26T22:00:14-04:00Statement from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson about the launch of the 2024 tax seasonhttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2024/02/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-about-the-launch-of-the-2024-tax-season.htmlTax season is upon us. This year, the process of filing an income tax and benefit return may feel particularly daunting. After a long period of high inflation following the COVID 19 pandemic, many Canadians are feeling financial strain. In such a stressful economic environment, the last thing anyone needs is a service issue with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2024-02-27T08:26:33-05:00The Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson celebrates 15 years of serving Canadianshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/12/the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-celebrates-15-years-of-serving-canadians.htmlThis year at the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO), we are celebrating our 15th anniversary. Since we began operations in 2008, our mission has been to help Canadians who are having service issues with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). We do this by examining complaints and by increasing awareness of their rights, namely under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Although the OTO is very small compared to the CRA, we have accomplished an impressive scale of work for our size. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-12-13T10:00:11-05:002022–2023 Annual Report of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson: Emphasis on the Taxpayer Bill of Rightshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/11/20222023-annual-report-of-the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-emphasis-on-the-taxpayer-bill-of-rights.htmlOTTAWA, November 28, 2023 - Today, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released his annual report, Upholding Your Rights, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by Ms. Iqra Khalid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue. The report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson (OTO) between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-11-28T10:00:04-05:00Statement from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson welcoming the new minister of national revenuehttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/07/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-welcoming-the-new-minister-of-national-revenue.htmlStatement from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson welcoming the new minister of national revenueOffice of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-07-26T12:50:51-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson requests that the Canada Revenue Agency make improvements to respect Canadians’ right to be represented by a person of their choicehttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/07/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-that-the-canada-revenue-agency-make-improvements-to-respect-canadians-right-to-be-represented-by-a-person-of-their-.htmlThe Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, sent a service improvement request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), asking it to update its processes and its content on Canada.ca to make sure it respects Taxpayer Right 15 of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, “You have the right to be represented by a person of your choice.”Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-07-13T08:23:02-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson requests that the Canada Revenue Agency improve the information it provides to Indigenous Peopleshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/05/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-that-the-canada-revenue-agency-improve-the-information-it-provides-to-indigenous-peoples.htmlThe Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has sent a service improvement request to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), asking it to update its information for Indigenous Peoples on Canada.ca.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-05-30T08:51:15-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson to monitor and examine issues related to CRA communications about the collection of COVID-related benefit overpaymentshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/05/taxpayers-ombudsperson-to-monitor-and-examine-issues-related-to-cra-communications-about-the-collection-of-covid-related-benefit-overpayments.htmlTaxpayers’ Ombudsperson to monitor and examine issues related to CRA communications about the collection of COVID-related benefit overpaymentsOffice of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-05-04T14:59:59-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson’s statement regarding Budget 2023 tax-filing proposalshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/04/taxpayers-ombudspersons-statement-regarding-budget-2023-tax-filing-proposals.htmlTaxpayers' Ombudsperson released a statement regarding the 2023 federal budgetOffice of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-04-18T11:04:12-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson releases report on the fairness of the Canada Revenue Agency’s audit process for charitieshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/03/taxpayers-ombudsperson-releases-report-on-the-fairness-of-the-canada-revenue-agencys-audit-process-for-charities.htmlOTTAWA, March 27, 2023 – Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released Charity Begins with Fairness: More to Explore. This report is in response to the request made by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, in August 2021, after the Government of Canada’s National Summit on Islamophobia. The Minister asked the Ombudsperson to examine concerns raised by certain Muslim-led charities, engage other registered charities led by racialized communities about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and clarify the CRA’s role in national security. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-03-27T05:41:30-04:00Statement from the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson regarding the launch of the 2023 tax seasonhttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/03/statement-from-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-regarding-the-launch-of-the-2023-tax-season.htmlOver the past years, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been crucial to delivering benefits, especially COVID-19 benefits, to many Canadians, including those with low and moderate incomes. Although the paperwork can seem daunting, filing your tax return on time each year opens the door to the many benefits and credits you could be entitled to, such as the GST/HST credit and the Canada child benefit. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-03-08T08:10:22-05:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson recommends ways to improve communication from the Canada Revenue Agencyhttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2023/01/taxpayers-ombudsperson-recommends-ways-to-improve-communication-from-the-canada-revenue-agency0.htmlOTTAWA, January 24, 2023 – Today, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, released The Lockout: Communication Was the Key. This report examined the communications the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provided to taxpayers after it locked out some users from their CRA accounts in mid-February 2021 in an effort to protect accounts that could have been compromised. Many affected taxpayers expressed concerns about the lack of clear and timely communication from the CRA.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2023-01-24T09:29:07-05:002021-2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson: The CRA can do better when it comes to communicating with Canadianshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/12/2021-2022-annual-report-of-the-office-of-the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-the-cra-can-do-better-when-it-comes-to-communicating-with-canadians.htmlToday, Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, François Boileau, released his second annual report, Service Matters: Numbers Speak Volumes, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by Mr. Peter Fragiskatos, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-12-13T10:04:23-05:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson requests the Canada Revenue Agency take more action to assist Canadians fleeing abuse or violence https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-the-canada-revenue-agency-take-more-action-to-assist-canadians-fleeing-abuse-or-violence-.htmlToday, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, announces a new service improvement request following his Office’s collaboration with Ending Violence Association of Canada (EVA Canada).
Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-12-08T08:57:25-05:00Statement from Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson on the progress of the examination into the concerns expressed by charities about their experiences with the CRAhttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/11/statement-from-canadas-taxpayers-ombudsperson-on-the-progress-of-the-examination-into-the-concerns-expressed-by-charities-about-their-experiences-w.htmlFollowing her participation in the National Summit on Islamophobia on July 22, 2021, the Minister of National Revenue, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, asked our Office to conduct a systemic review to investigate the concerns expressed by certain charities, run by Muslims about their treatment by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and to engage other charities led by racialized communities about their experiences with the CRA. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-11-22T08:28:27-05:00Federal Ombuds raise awareness of their mandates for Ombuds Day 2022https://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/10/federal-ombuds-raise-awareness-of-their-mandates-for-ombuds-day-2022.htmlCanadian Federal Ombuds raise awareness of the role of ombuds and discuss Ombuds Day. Around the world, Ombuds Day is celebrated on the second Thursday in October to increase awareness about ombuds’ roles and functions. In the lead-up to Ombuds Day on October 13, 2022, media are invited to contact federal ombuds offices to discuss their respective mandates that can help Canadians gain access to the services they need.
Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-10-05T10:42:43-04:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson calls on charities to come forward with their experiences about the Canada Revenue Agencyhttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2022/02/taxpayers-ombudsperson-calls-on-charities-to-come-forward-with-their-experiences-about-the-canada-revenue-agency.htmlIn July 2021, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, requested the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, examine concerns raised by certain Muslim led charities, and engage other charities led by racialized communities, about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This was also confirmed in the mandate letter from the Prime Minister of Canada to the Minister dated December 16, 2021. Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2022-02-09T08:32:11-05:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson makes five recommendations in his 2020-2021 Annual Reporthttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-makes-five-recommendations-in-his-2020-2021-annual-report.htmlToday, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, released his first Annual Report, Adapting and Delivering in Unprecedented Times, which was tabled earlier today in the House of Commons by the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue. The report provides an overview of the activities undertaken by the Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson between the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-12-17T10:12:47-05:00Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson requests the Canada Revenue Agency improve the information it provides to those facing violencehttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/12/taxpayers-ombudsperson-requests-the-canada-revenue-agency-improve-the-information-it-provides-to-those-facing-violence.htmlToday, Canada’s Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, announces that a service improvement request he made to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been accepted. The request made was to improve the information it provides to those facing domestic violence, including those accessing the Canada child benefit (CCB).Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-12-09T12:12:16-05:00The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson opens systemic examination into issues expressed by certain Muslim-led charitieshttps://www.canada.ca/en/taxpayers-ombudsperson/news/2021/08/the-taxpayers-ombudsperson-opens-systemic-examination-into-issues-expressed-by-muslim-led-charities.htmlThe Minister of National Revenue has requested that the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, François Boileau, examine the concerns expressed by the Muslim-led charities and to engage other charitable organizations led by racialized communities about their experiences with the Canada Revenue Agency.Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson2021-08-05T16:50:43-04:00