As we approach 40,000 supporters, I would like to share with you a letter that I just sent to the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue (please see below) expressing our concerns and making her aware of the enormous momentum that our petition has generated over the past few days from those that are legitimately concerned about the pending April 30 tax filing deadline.  Please continue to share this petition and hopefully we will reach 50,000 signatures by the end of the day.  My best wishes to those struggling in these difficult times. 

April 14, 2021

Diane Lebouthillier

The Honourable Minister of National Revenue

Dear Ms. Lebouthillier,

Re: Tax Filing Deadline

I am writing to you to express my request to extend the April 30 filing deadline to June 15.

I have received feedback from a large number of tax return preparers who are concerned that they cannot meet the deadline this year. More specifically, approximately 40,000 people have signed a petition to call attention to their concerns. These people come from all across Canada. Many have provided comments as to why an extension is needed this year and the reasons appear to me to be valid.

I appreciate that CRA has been tasked with the job of maintaining the integrity of the Canadian tax system. It is clear that everyone is doing their best under these difficult circumstances.

Still we must be mindful of the extraordinary circumstances and consider the wellbeing of Canadians, including the mental stress that the upcoming deadline is placing on tax return preparers. From the feedback we have received, a great many concerned professionals are women, working from home, and with school closures, now have young children at home.

I appreciate that taxpayers can apply under fairness to have late filing penalties relieved. However, I question whether a wave of fairness applications in unprecedented numbers will be to anyone’s benefit and it will merely tie up CRA’s resources which are best utilized elsewhere.

Would you kindly consider this simple request? To assist you in your consideration, it may be relevant to note that the IRS did extend the U.S. filing deadline by a month.

Thank you.

Yours very truly,

Hugh Woolley, CPA, CA