The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting back the number of paper income tax packages it used to automatically mail to taxpayers who had previously been filing their taxes by paper, forcing them to print out their own packages and forms, place an order for them or switch to online filing.
The CRA sent out a notice in early January to those who had been automatically receiving paper packages, stating it’s “committed to making sure individuals can easily file their income tax and benefit returns” but will not be mailing out paper tax packages except to “vulnerable” individuals.
CRA media relations spokesperson Nina Ioussoupova said the agency identified certain “vulnerable” Canadians who had previously filed by paper and will still be proactively sending them the paper tax forms they require.
The reduction in the mailout of print packages is part of CRA’s effort to support a “greener future” in line with the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy and the CRA’s commitment to sustainable development, she said.
About 485,000 Canadians will no longer automatically receive paper tax forms in the mail, and they should be receiving a letter to educate them on other ways to file their income tax, as well as instructions on how to order paper tax packages if they prefer using paper.
“These letters aimed to educate these tax filers on alternative filing options,” said Ioussoupova. “Even though these letters encouraged tax filers to file online, it also provided instructions on how they could self-source their own paper copies of the tax forms.”
The reduction in paper mailouts is expected to save CRA about 25 per cent.
“Due to increases in postage and printing costs decisions needed to be made to ensure the CRA continues to be fiscally responsible in serving Canadians, while continuing to proactively provide paper tax forms to the Canadians that need it most,” said Ioussoupova. “This year the CRA anticipates that it will realize a year-over-year savings of approximately 25%.”
Paper tax packages have not been not available at Service Canada outlets since 2018 when CRA stopped providing them, said Ioussoupova. CRA has informed other departments/partners, such as Employment and Social Development Canada, about CRA’s reducing the mailout of paper tax packages. The agency also educates tax filers on alternative ways to file their income tax and how to get paper packages through posters and digital messaging in Service Canada outlets.
People who prefer to file their taxes using paper can still obtain a paper package, she said, by calling the CRA’s automated ordering phone line at 1-855-330-3305 or using the CRA’s online ordering tool: canada.ca/cra-forms.
For those who have computers and printers, forms can be downloaded from CRA’s website then printed.
People who do not have access to computers and printers can visit a public library to see whether it’s possible to have tax forms printed out.
“Public libraries are an option that tax filers can leverage if they do not have a computer or printer. If a library is unable to provide printed copies, tax filers can use library computers to place an order for a tax package directly with the CRA at canada.ca/cra-forms,” said Ioussoupova. “Public libraries will not be reimbursed for printing costs. If libraries do not have the means to provide printed copies, then tax filers can use library computers to place an order for a tax package ….”
