Three new Canada Revenue Agency Northern Service Centres were announced Monday in Yellowknife. The three NSCs will be in Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Iqaluit and they will give Territorial residents, including Indigenous peoples, and businesses better access to tax services.
Michael McLeod, MP for the NWT said that these NSCs and the work their employees will be doing across the Territories will increase access to tax help for both northern residents and businesses.
“Many of our communities in the North, especially those in remote locations, will benefit from more support when it comes to getting answers to tax-related questions and getting access to benefits.”
The NSCs will aim to bring a year-round, in-person CRA presence to the Territories to expand outreach and will be co-located with Service Canada in each of the Territorial capitals.
There will also be dedicated phone lines for individuals and businesses to discuss their tax affairs with CRA employees familiar with northern tax matters. These services will attempt to help small businesses and self-employed individuals navigate the tax system.
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue noted that Canadians in the Territories will now have access to year-round services that will help them meet their tax obligations and access the benefits and credits to which they are entitled.
“We know that individuals and businesses in Canada’s Territories face unique circumstances. The CRA is committed to addressing the barriers faced by individuals and small businesses when it comes to filing their tax returns.”
Each of the three locations will be supported by three full-time employees to deliver these services throughout the Territories:
- Year-round, in-person presence throughout the Territories to provide tax support to individuals and businesses in their own communities;
- CRA staff dedicated to raising awareness of the benefits, credits and deductions that individuals may be entitled to through in-person outreach information sessions;
- More Community Volunteer Income Tax Program clinics, where volunteers file income tax returns free of charge for individuals with a modest income and simple tax situation;
- An expanded Liaison Officer capacity to conduct on-site books and records reviews for businesses and self-employed individuals, as well as seminars adapted to include specific issues related to carrying on business in the North and Territorial taxes; and
- Dedicated phone lines to connect individuals and businesses with CRA employees who are familiar with northern tax issues.
