A few weeks before the tax return deadline, employees of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issued a strike mandate. Do we need to worry?
• Also read: CRA union members vote for strike mandate amid tax season
Negotiations between the union and the employers’ party have been very complicated since 2012.
Last Friday, the Union of Taxation Employees issued a strike mandate effective April 14.
VAT News
A week of negotiations with a mediator is scheduled for April 17-21.
The risk of a prolonged strike at the CRA could have serious implications for how tax season unfolds.
Management of programs overseen by the CRA, such as CELIAPP or RRSP, could be disrupted in the event of a strike.
Francois Gagnon | VAT News
“While we are trying the CELIAPP [et tous les autres programmes], the Canada Revenue Agency manages everything. Yes, that would be catastrophic because it would freeze a lot of programs and it’s not the time to freeze those programs because people need their money,” says Turbotax spokesman Francois Gagnon.
The deadline for filing the tax return is May 1, 2023. Can this date be postponed in the event of a major strike?
“I don’t see how officials wouldn’t say we’re going to extend tax season,” Mr Gagnon said.
The expert points out that the tax season has been extended in the past, especially during the pandemic.