A CBC News analysis of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) call times found taxpayers wait much longer to get through to an agent than the hold times advertised on the agency's website. Canada's taxpayers' ombudsperson is launching an inquiry into the sometimes hours-long wait times that callers face.
The Canada Revenue Agency says it's prepared to take legal action against people who erroneously accepted pandemic benefits but are financially capable of paying the government back.In July, the Canada Revenue Agency will begin issuing legal warnings to individuals who received pandemic benefits for which they were ineligible.
In May, the CRA told CBC News that at the end of last year, it had recovered roughly $1.8 billion in erroneous pandemic benefit payments. The CRA was asked for an updated total but did not provide one to CBC News. The department says people found ineligible for the benefits they received were contacted and were either given a chance to provide evidence that they were eligible or were told how much they owe.
Canadians who have been told by the government that their eligibility for benefits received has been revoked can ask for two reviews of their case.CRA holding back tax refunds from people it says received pandemic benefits by mistakeAfter that point, their only recourse is through the courts. Many Canadians have taken the government to court to plead their case.