Mark this date: 2010 tax-filing deadline is May 2
Electronic services could aid and abet Canadians looking to file and pay their tax returns in time for the May 2 deadline.
As has been the practice of the Canada Revenue Agency, when April 30 falls on a weekend, this year’s filing deadline extends to Monday, May 2. People have until midnight on May 2 to file a 2010 income tax and benefit return and to pay any balance owing.
If you or your spouse or common-law partner is self-employed, you have until midnight on June 15 to file your 2010 return, but you still have to pay any balance owing by May 2.
As an alternative to filing a paper return, people can file electronically using NETFILE. NETFILE is one of the CRA’s electronic tax-filing options; you can use it to file your individual income tax return over the Internet quickly and easily.
If you NETFILE, you will get an electronic confirmation of receipt within seconds of sending your tax return. As well, NETFILE allows the CRA to process your return much quicker, which means a faster refund, especially if you also use our direct deposit service.
Canadians can also choose to file their individual tax return by phone using TELEFILE. Regardless of the filing method that you choose, make sure you keep receipts and documentation to support the claims made on your 2010 return for six years, in case the CRA asks to see them.
If you have a balance owing, My Payment lets you make one or more payments in one simple online transaction. You can use this service if you have access to online banking at a participating financial institution.
You can also make your payment using your financial institution’s telephone or Internet banking service. Find more information about all of the CRA’s e-services at www.cra.gc.ca/eservices.
If you need help at tax time, the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) is an automated telephone service that provides personal and general tax information to individuals. You can call TIPS at 1‑800‑267‑6999.
The CRA is also offering extended evening and weekend hours (except Easter weekend) on the individual income tax enquiries telephone lines until May 2. This service is available at 1‑800‑959‑8281.
For more information
• For more information on telephone service extended hours go to, www.cra.gc.ca/extendedhours.
• For more information on our tax services and tax centres office hours go to, www.cra.gc.ca/tso.
• For helpful tips that will help you get ready to file your 2010 tax return, go to www.cra.gc.ca/getready.
