With all the uncertainty in the world, there is one thing we can always count on and that is the Canada Revenue Agency and taxes! As our province prepares for Covid-19, our number one priority is maintaining the health and safety of our community.

We have been taking proactive steps to ensure that our clients and employees are safe and cared for during this global health crisis. These measures include and are not limited to:

• Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of office space, including all stationary, countertops, chairs, and door handles-
• Requiring employees to work from home if they are feeling unwell or have recently travelled
• Regularly washing and sanitizing hands
• Actively monitoring the situation to stay updated on the latest protocols
  
• We have implemented a portal this year which we are encouraging all our clients to use to upload their documents into. We have sent out an invitation to your portal and if you have not yet received it, let us know and we will resend it. Once you are in your portal, click on the documents tab at the top of your portal and then the upload button on the right side. If your documents are on your desktop – you can either drag and drop them into the upload box or you can click on the “select files” button on the top left hand side and find the files on your desktop. Once the files have shown up in the upload files box – click “Upload Files” and they will now be in your portal. We will then receive an email and download your slips and delete them from the portal. This way if you upload any new files – we know they are new and we haven’t downloaded them yet. Once your taxes are completed, we will upload a T183 form that must be signed at PART G and an invoice that must be paid before your taxes will be filed. If you need assistance with this please email kimh@wordpress-775299-3406375.cloudwaysapps.com.

If you have an upcoming meeting scheduled, we ask that you contact our office to reschedule or arrange a telephone meeting if you are feeling unwell or have recently travelled.

COVID-19 is an ever-changing and very dynamic situation. We want to reassure clients that Herbert + Palamarek LLP will continue to provide its services and will keep you updated with changes that may come.

At Herbert + Palamarek LLP we pride ourselves on acting in the best interests of our clients, staff, and our community. We will be updating our website regularly to keep you informed of any financial aid that will be available in this trying time. You can also check out the Canada Revenue Agency website for more information on relief programs at CRA (click on the link). We will update this weekly as pertinent information becomes available.

Programs announced are:

• May 2020 – increase to GST credit payments
• Extra child tax benefit payments on May 2020 payment
• Six-month interest free moratorium for repayment of Canada Student Loans
• Reduction of required minimum RRIF withdrawal by 25% for 2020
• Individual tax filing deadline extended to June 1st (our firm would like to process as many returns as we can though by April 30th)

Business

• Large banks have mortgage deferral in place
• Small employers receive a temporary wage subsidy for three months equal to 10% of remuneration paid during the three-month period to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer
• Defer any payments of income tax that become owing on or after March 18th – Aug 31, 2020 including tax balances and installments. Interest and penalties will not accrue
• Cessation of audit activity for 4 weeks
• Business Credit Availability Program – Business Development Bank of Canada providing credit solutions
• Income Support for Workers and Parents (access to these benefits through CRA My Account, My Service Canada Account)
• Waiver on weeks waiting period for those in quarantine as of March 15, 2020
• April 2020 – Emergency Care Benefit – up to $2000 per month for 16 weeks. Workers who are self employed or do not qualify for Employment Insurnace, are caring for a sick family member, or for parents with children who require care during school closure and are unable to earn employment income.
• Employment Insurance work share program

More information about applying for EI sickness benefits is available on the government’s website. Applications for the new benefits will open in April and will require Canadians to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements, and to re-attest every two weeks.

When the new benefits are available, Canadians can apply through the CRA My Account secure portal, through a My Service Canada Account or by calling a toll-free number the government plans to introduce, which will be equipped with an automated application process.

We would like to thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate through this developing situation. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by this virus and all the caregivers working tirelessly on the front lines of this crisis.