"Tax Refund to Canadians Averaging More Than $1,400 So Far for 2008," says Minister of National Revenue

OTTAWA - The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture), announced that preliminary numbers show the average refund for the 2008 tax year is once again over $1,400.

"Canadians are benefiting from this government's various tax relief measures, and that means money back in the pockets of those that need it most," said Minister Blackburn. "Thanks to tax relief measures such as the tradespersons tools deduction, the children's fitness tax credit, the public transit amount, and the pension income splitting, we are lessening the tax burden for Canadians who can use their refund money to save or spend it on things they need."

To ensure taxpayers were aware of all the benefits, credits and tax measures that may be available to them the Government of Canada ran a "You've Earned it, Claim it" national ad campaign from February and March 2009.

"It is important that Canadians are informed about the tax relief measures available to them," said Minister Blackburn. "There were over 1 million hits to the Web pages we created in support of this campaign, which provided Canadians with the information they needed to save money on their taxes."

Preliminary statistical data for the 2008 tax year's filing season shows that Canadians are filing earlier, and are increasingly choosing electronic filing as their preferred method of filing. In fact, the number of people filing electronically has increased compared to the same time last year. Among the 19.9 million returns received as of April 30, 12.8 million returns were filed using EFILE, NETFILE, or TELEFILE, compared to 11.9 million returns last year. Paper filing continues to decrease in popularity: over 7.1 million returns were filed on paper so far, compared to 7.2 million returns last year at the same time. Electronic filing is the quick, easy and secure way to prepare and file income tax and benefits returns.

"The CRA's electronic filing services performed well this year, receiving over 12.8 million electronically filed returns as of April 30, peaking at over half a million per day during the last three days of the filing season," said Minister Blackburn. "The investment in our infrastructure and quality improvements made by the CRA resulted in a smooth filing season."

Self-employed individuals, and their spouses or common-law partners, have until midnight on Monday, June 15, 2009, to file their income tax returns. Outstanding balances for 2008 were still due on or before April 30, 2009, to avoid interest. A late-filing penalty on amounts owing will apply to returns received or postmarked after June 15, 2009.

CRA's electronic services, such as My Account and Quick Access, are useful year-round to track your refund, check your benefit and credit payments and your RRSP limit, set up direct deposit, and much more. For more information about all of these electronic services, go to http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/electronicservices/