Harper Government: Taking Big Strides for Small Business

PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 8, 2015) - The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, today met with members of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce to highlight the Government of Canada's actions to cut red tape and improve services, and to promote other government tax relief measures for small and medium-sized businesses.

This Government has taken action to reduce the red tape burden for businesses, including:

• eliminating more than 800,000 remittances for over 50,000 businesses;
• improving the clarity and simplifying the content of its communications to businesses;
• launching its first tax-related mobile app for businesses;
• expanding online payment methods with the launch of the pre-authorized debit option;
• requiring all business phone enquiries agents to use a standard Agent ID when dealing with a business; and
• introducing the new Liaison Officer Initiative to help businesses get it right from the start.

In September 2014, the Government of Canada also introduced the Small Business Job Credit, a two-year measure that effectively lowers the Employment Insurance premiums for small businesses for two years. The savings will help small businesses create jobs and support Canada's economic growth.

The Government of Canada continues to work with small and medium-sized business owners and their stakeholders to reduce red tape. This past fall, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) met with small and medium-sized business owners, their accountants, bookkeepers, and stakeholder associations-in more than 20 cities across the country and online-to hear how the CRA could further improve its red tape reduction efforts. Results of the 2014 consultation findings will be made public this spring.

Quick Facts

• The CRA's 2012 red tape reduction consultations led to improvements in: the availability and clarity of tax information; online services; the collection of information, reporting obligations and frequency of filing; and more. The results can be found in the Focussing on Small Business Priorities: Canada Revenue Agency Consultations on Cutting Red Tape report.
• As part of Economic Action Plan 2014, 800,000 payroll remittances for over 50,000 small businesses were eliminated, earning Minister Findlay the CFIB's Golden Scissors Award.
• The CRA is simplifying and improving its communications. Plain language is being used in millions of notices and letters sent to Canadians to help to ensure that taxpayers better understand the correspondence, making it easier for them to meet their tax obligations and access benefits to which they may be entitled.
• Business owners who have paid $15,000 or less in total EI premiums for all their payroll accounts are eligible for the Small Business Job Credit.
• The Small Business Job Credit is expected to save small businesses more than $550 million over two years.

Quotes

"Our Government understands the important role that small businesses, like those here in Prince George, play in growing local economies. That is why we continue to cut red tape, enhance our services and provide tax relief to business owners. The Small Business Job Credit will save small business owners $550 million over two years, money that can be reinvested to create jobs and help communities prosper. And I'm proud to say that the credit creates no added administrative burden on small businesses; the CRA will calculate the credit for them, so that they can continue to focus on what they do best."

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue

"The Chamber of Commerce aims to foster an environment where businesses and the community can both prosper. The CRA's efforts to cut red tape for small and medium businesses are a step in the right direction towards resolving common issues affecting businesses. We hope to see even more enhancements that will allow our members to focus more of their time and resources on growing their business."

Cindi Pohl, President, Prince George Chamber of Commerce

"The Government's low-tax plan for jobs and economic growth is leaving more money and time in the hands of Canadian businesses. In our community, I've seen first-hand how cutting red tape and lowering taxes is helping our small business owners. A thriving small business community at the local level means more jobs and a more prosperous national economy."
Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George

Related Products

Checklist for Small Business

Top 10 ways the Government of Canada has reduced red tape for businesses at the CRA

Associated Links

Red Tape Reduction

Small Business Job Credit

My Business Account

CRA Business Tax Reminders App

Small Business and Self-Employed

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