Dealing With Canadian Income Tax Debt

Tax time is here. For those who anticipate a large refund it is an exciting time. For those who know they will have to pay it is quite the opposite. Thinking about doing your taxes, knowing that you are about to face a large Canadian income tax debt, one that you know you will not be able to pay in full, can be dreadful. 

One reason it is so scary is because once the Canada Revenue Agency assesses the amount of your Canadian income tax debt they will demand to be paid in full. The Canada Revenue Agency also has powerful authority to collect Canadian income tax debt that’s owed to them. Canada Revenue Agency collection practices range from demand letters, to calls, to enforcement action like wage garnishments and tax liens. 

Fear of what the Canada Revenue Agency will do once they determine that you owe a Canadian income tax debt is the main reason that individuals procrastinate and avoid filing their tax returns. This is the worst thing you can do if you have a Canadian income tax debt because it is illegal. In addition, the Canada Revenue Agency can add interest and penalties that can cause your Canadian income tax debt to double in size. 

So what can a Canadian taxpayer do when he knows that once he files his Canadian income tax return he will owe more than he can pay? 

The solution to any problem will come with a plan. First, you do not have to go it alone. There are many organizations that help people deal with Canadian income tax debt. Debt and financial consultants are a great resource to get the help you need. 

A plan will involve looking at your income, assets, and personal debts (debts that you have in addition to your Canadian income tax debt like loans and credit card balances etc.) and coming up with scenarios so that your representative can make a proposal to the Canada Revenue Agency enabling you to repay your Canadian income tax debt in a manner that you can live with. 

So what happens if you review your financial situation and there is no additional ability to pay anything to the Canada Revenue Agency? Well you can’t draw blood from a stone but you also can’t ignore the problem resulting in the Canada Revenue Agency taking action against you that can severely disrupt your life. 

If it happens that there is no way for you to repay your tax debt, you can find relief through Federal Government programs that can eliminate interest, penalties and even principal tax debt. Participating in one of these programs can enable you to breathe a sigh of relief because it may be the route that enables you to deal with your Canadian income tax debt upon terms you can live with.

You don’t have to be afraid of your Canadian income tax debt because there are resources to help you face your tax debt before everything spirals out of control. 

For more information about dealing with Canadian income tax debt contact DebtCare Canada at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca