Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Taxpayers' Ombudsman

The following news release announcing the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Taxpayers' Ombudsman is now available on the Canada Revenue Agency Web site.

The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, joined by the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Regional Minister for the Greater Toronto area, today announced two new initiatives, a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and a Taxpayers' Ombudsman, to ensure Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is more accountable to Canadians.

“All taxpayers will be better served by these new initiatives that will enhance the services delivered to Canadians by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA),” said Minister Skelton. “We want taxpayers to know they have rights and that we at the CRA take these rights seriously. By introducing a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, we are ensuring that taxpayers are served with a higher standard of service, and if that fails, they have a Taxpayers’ Ombudsman to turn to.”

“When it comes to taxes, this government not only believes in strong accountability, but fairness,” said Minister Flaherty. “We have introduced the Tax Fairness Plan and the Anti-Tax Haven Initiative. Our next important step is introducing a Taxpayer Bill of Rights and a Taxpayers’ Ombudsman, which will ensure fair treatment of all taxpayers by the CRA.”

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights includes 15 rights, plus 5 new commitments for small businesses. The Ombudsman is expected to be operational by fall 2007, and will operate independently and at arm’s length from the CRA. Taxpayers who are unsatisfied with the action or response from the CRA may request the Taxpayers’ Ombudsman, to undertake an independent review.

For more information, see the CRA web site at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2007/may/nr070528-e.html