I owe cash on my taxes. What can I do?

— Nameless

FPAC responds:

Tax season is over and plenty of do get excited when anticipating an enormous tax return. However when you owe cash, then again, you would possibly really feel somewhat defeated—or downright apprehensive. However don’t fret, you’ve gotten loads of choices, no matter your distinctive monetary scenario.

What to do when you owe cash in your taxes

Situation 1: When you have cash to pay your taxes available

When you owe cash to the federal government and you’ve got that quantity already put aside, or an emergency fund you possibly can dip into, you merely must pay the quantity and settle up. You’ll make your fee to the Canada Income Company (CRA). As of late, there are many handy fee choices obtainable to you—and old fashioned ones, too. Right here’s methods to pay:

• MyCRA account: You possibly can pay on-line along with your MyCRA account. Simply login and click on on the Make Cost button. 
• On-line banking: You possibly can pay on-line. Merely make the CRA a payee in your payments checklist along with your monetary establishment of alternative. Your Social Insurance coverage Quantity (SIN) would be the account quantity with the CRA. 
• In individual: When you’re headed to the financial institution to pay, remember to have your Discover of Evaluation or SIN quantity available.
• By mail:  If you wish to pay by mail, you are able to do so when you obtain your Discover of Evaluation (NOA). You may make a fee to the CRA with a cheque out of your Canadian checking account. Make the cheque payable to the Receiver Common for Canada. Embody your remittance voucher that comes along with your NOA and mail it to the tackle on the again of your voucher.

Situation 2: When you don’t have the cash to pay your taxes in full

First issues first: don’t panic. This example is quite common. When you can’t pay the total quantity that you simply owe, the CRA will help you arrange a fee association. 

Earlier than you name the CRA to set this up, remember to calculate your month-to-month earnings and bills to find out what you possibly can afford to pay the CRA every month. The CRA gives the Cost Association Calculator. As soon as you understand your numbers, name 1-866-256-1147 to get began. And in case your monetary circumstances occur to vary over the course of your fee plan, you possibly can name once more to regulate the fee plan.

What to not do

Don’t keep away from organising a fee plan or adjusting the schedule when you can’t afford it proper now. When you have a stability owing and are unable to pay it by the fee due date, the CRA will begin charging you compound each day curiosity (based mostly on the 2021 tax 12 months, curiosity funds would begin on Might 1, 2022). The speed of curiosity the CRA will cost on present or earlier balances can change each three months based mostly on prescribed rates of interest.

Look ahead to installments

An necessary level is that when you have internet taxes owing of greater than $3,000, or $1,800 for Quebec, you’ll seemingly be required to make earnings tax installments for the present 12 months. It’s like prepaying your tax invoice.

For instance, if it’s the primary time you owe tax in installments, chances are you’ll be requested to prepay your taxes on Sept 15, 2022 and December 15, 2022. When you’ve already been requested to pay tax installments for earlier years, you possibly can be requested to prepay your taxes on March 15, June 15, Sept 15 and Dec 15 this 12 months.