Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

On March 18, 2020, the Prime Minister announced a new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The new measures include:


Individual and Trust Return


1. CRA will defer its filing due date for the 2019 tax returns of individuals and certain trusts. For individuals, that means the filing date has been pushed back to June 1st. The original filing date was April 30th.

2. CRA will allow all taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18, 2020 and before September 2020. This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.  

3. CRA will recognize electronic signatures for authorization forms T183 or T183CORP.

Business Taxes


1. CRA will allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after March 18, 2020 and before September 2020.  This relief would apply to tax balances due, as well as instalments. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period. 

2. CRA will not contact any small or medium (SME) businesses to initiate any post assessment GST/HST or Income Tax audits for the next four weeks. For the vast majority of businesses,CRA will temporarily suspend audit interaction with taxpayers and representatives.

3. The Liaison Officer service offers help to owners of small businesses to understand their tax obligations. Traditionally available in-person, this service is now available over the phone and will be customizing information during these challenging times by ensuring small businesses are aware of any changes such as filing and payment deadlines, proactive relief measures, etc.

The Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan will provide up to $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses.  

For more details, please visit CRA website at: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html

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