The federal government is extending tax relief to people, businesses and charities affected by post-tropical storm Fiona in Atlantic Canada.
National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier says she asked the Canada Revenue Agency to explore relief options as soon as she learned about the storm’s devastating impact.
The CRA is extending the due date for corporate tax returns, trust income tax returns and GST and HST returns by a month in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec’s Iles-de-la-Madeleine.
The tax returns can now be filed until Oct. 31, and there will be no penalty or interest for filings after the regular deadline of Sept. 30.
Individuals who were unable to meet tax obligations because of the storm will have their requests reviewed on a priority basis, the agency said.
Other tax-related notices, including redeterminations of COVID-19 benefits and notices related to business and charity filings, will be temporarily suspended.
Lebouthillier told reporters outside the House of Commons that it was important for her to alleviate the anxiety that affected people are feeling in the wake of the storm, and allow them to concentrate on the recovery.
Her parliamentary secretary, Peter Fragiskatos, said the tax agency is “putting people first” by being proactive. “What it means is that the worries that they might’ve had in that regard don’t have to be met immediately.”
