Racing to the finish for taxes

May 1 deadline for filing 2022 returns fast approaching

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Nunavut Local Journalism Initiative

If you haven’t yet, here’s your last warning to submit your tax return before the May 1 deadline.

“For anyone who’s hoping or depending on benefits in the coming year, you want to really make sure that you get that tax return on time so that we can calculate them and make sure there is zero interruption to those benefits and credits that you receive,” said Joanne de Waal , CRA spokesperson.

“As we say every year, file early, but definitely file on time.”

She also encourages residents to sign up for direct deposit and not have to wait for paper cheques.

“If you’re in an area where mail is not coming to your house every single day, you don’t want to be waiting for that paper cheque,” said de Waal. “Direct deposit is definitely the way to go when you are in the North because those electronic messages seem to make it to your bank, regardless of what the weather is outside.”

Anyone who needs help with their taxes is encouraged to contact the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, which is a group of organizations across the country who have volunteers trained by Canada Revenue Agency to complete people’s tax return.

The group has representatives in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, as well as many online on the CRA site who can help from a distance.

Anyone needing help with their return who has an 867 number can call a dedicated phone assistant at 1-866-426-1527.

For the first time this year, taxpayers can also indicate on Page 2 of the return if they would like to receive more information on becoming an organ or tissue donor.

“This is a really important initiative and it doesn’t matter how much money you have,” said de Waal. “If you need a kidney, you need a kidney, so this is a way for us to support each other and make your wishes known.”

She said that ticking that box only means you consent to receiving more information and doesn’t sign you up for anything.

De Waal said the most common mistakes people make on their return is forgetting to include some income and, in the North, grasping the Northern Residents Deduction. With both of those, the CRA assistant at the phone number above can help.