Minister Findlay Launches New Action Plan to Cut Red Tape for Small Business

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - June 19, 2015) - Canada Revenue Agency

The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, today unveiled meaningful and measurable actions that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will take over the next two years to continue to reduce red tape for businesses. This Action Plan responds to feedback received from small and medium business communities across Canada during the CRA's 2014 public consultations on red tape reduction.

The CRA's Action Plan focuses on cutting red tape where it will make the biggest difference for small and medium businesses. It includes:

• improving the accessibility and reliability of CRA telephone services;
• making it easier to find information and services for businesses on the Agency's website;
• providing information in simple, clear language;
• helping businesses get their tax affairs right from the start by providing early support at key points in the business cycle;
• making more online services and tools available, so businesses can access them at their convenience, 24/7; and
• better explaining the audit process so businesses know what to expect and when.

Throughout late 2014, the CRA heard from small and medium business owners, bookkeepers, and accountants in more than 20 cities across the country-from Surrey, Québec and St. John's, to Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit. Participants provided feedback in-person, online, and in writing about how the Agency can reduce the administrative burden that small and medium businesses face in meeting their tax obligations. The report from the consultations is now available online: We Heard You: Cut Red Tape For Small and Medium Businesses.

Stay up to date on the CRA's newest service enhancements and how the CRA is cutting red tape for your business at cra.gc.ca/redtapereduction.

Quick Facts

- During the 2014 public consultations, the CRA conducted 45 in-person sessions in more than 20 cities across the country and invited the public to provide their comments online or by mail. The CRA heard from approximately 350 participants and received over 120 online or written submissions.

- In January 2015, Minister Findlay received the CFIB's Golden Scissors Award, which honours elected officials and others in government who have shown leadership in cutting red tape, in recognition of the Government's elimination of more than 800,000 payroll remittances (e.g. withheld CPP and EI) for more than 50,000 small businesses.

- This is the second round of the CRA's biennial national public consultations with the business community on red tape reduction. In 2012, the CRA held consultations in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg. The report from the 2012 consultations is available online: Focussing on Small Business Priorities: Canada Revenue Agency Consultations on Cutting Red Tape.

- Following the 2012 consultations, in addition to reduced payroll remittances, the CRA implemented several other measures to reduce red tape, including: enhanced online tools, like My Business Account, so businesses can find the answers they need when they need it, launched the Liaison Officer Initiative to help businesses get it right from the start, and launched our first-ever mobile app to notify businesses of upcoming payment and return obligations.

- Economic Action Plan 2015 will further reduce the small business tax rate to 9 percent by 2019.

- Economic Action Plan 2015 proposes to reduce the frequency of reporting for eligible new employers to quarterly instead of monthly.

Quotes

"Our Government has made it a priority to reduce and eliminate red tape. Over the past three years, feedback from entrepreneurs in small and medium businesses has resulted in real changes to the tax system-changes that are making a difference to the bottom line, helping grow businesses, and create jobs in our communities."

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

"I am pleased to present the 2014 Public Consultations Report on Red Tape Reduction. Our new Action Plan responds to the feedback from the 2014 consultations and focuses on the changes business owners need and want most from the CRA. Our Government is committed to engaging business owners in communities across Canada to reduce red tape and make it easier to communicate and comply with CRA."

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

"As a big voice for small business, we are very pleased that the CRA remains committed to consulting with our members to help continue to cut red tape. We are encouraged by the many new initiatives underway at the CRA and we look forward to working with the government to implement these improvements for the benefit of all small and medium-sized business owners in Canada."

- Laura Jones, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business

"By reducing red tape at the CRA, we are delivering on our commitment to make it easier and faster for Canadians to meet their tax obligations. Through the support of local businesses and stakeholders in initiatives such as red tape reduction consultations, the federal and provincial government can work together to continue to reduce red tape, so that business owners can focus on what they do best: creating jobs and generating wealth in communities across Canada."

- Rick Thorpe, Chair, Board of Management

Associated Links

We Heard You: Cut Red Tape For Small and Medium Businesses

Red Tape Reduction

My Business Account

Focussing on Small Business Priorities: Canada Revenue Agency Consultations on Cutting Red Tape

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