The PSAC strike which includes workers from the Canada Revenue Agency can’t be an excuse for not getting your taxes in on time.  The deadline is just before midnight tonight (Mon).
A national tax specialist at UFile Canada, Gerry Vittoratos explains that the majority of the assessments systems are automated, and have been for several years, and that’s why people may have noticed they get their refunds quicker, because of the automated process.

He adds that it is in your best interest to get your taxes in on time whether you owe money or not.  If you owe money, the government will slap you with a five per cent penalty on your balance owed, even if you are only a minute late, and then there is a one per cent penalty for every month after that, and the meter also starts running for interest charges. If you are expecting to get money back, the government is in no rush, but it could delay your benefits, because things like the Canada Child Benefit and the GST credit are based on the results of your tax return.

Vittoratos advises that if you have left your return to the last minute, don’t panic.  Just get all your slips and receipts for the things that were costs for you, like medical expenses and charity receipt. It also helps to have a copy of your previous year’s return so you can compare. Vittoratos notes that if you do your taxes online, your previous year’s returns are still available to you.