Annual Report to Parliament 2014-2015

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A message from the Commissioner

As Canada's tax administrator, the CRA's priorities are service, compliance, integrity and security, and innovation. In 2014-2015, we made significant progress in each of these areas thanks to the dedication and commitment of our employees.

The CRA is a leader in e-service delivery and over four out of five Canadians take advantage of our quick and convenient e-filing services. In 2014-2015, we introduced more e-forms and began accepting more taxpayer documents online. We launched new online payment options for individuals and businesses. We also launched two mobile apps, one to provide access to tax information and one to provide tax reminders to businesses.

Part of providing better service is making it easier for Canadians to find the information they need. The CRA has been a leading contributor to the Government of Canada's Web Renewal initiative which will consolidate all government information on Canada.ca.

The Agency also reaches out to help taxpayers with other types of services. In 2014-2015, we launched our Liaison Officer Initiative across Canada. The CRA's liaison officers work with small and medium enterprises to help them avoid errors and reduce the likelihood of being audited in the future. Of the businesses visited, 90% said they better understood tax matters and 92% said this approach would be useful to other businesses. Also last year, the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program worked with over 2,000 organizations and their 16,000 volunteers to prepare 600,000 tax returns for Canadians who needed help.

While service and compliance are the external face of the Agency, integrity and security are at the heart of our business.
— Andrew Treusch

Consistent with our on-going efforts to deter non-compliance, we have also intensified our focus on those areas at risk of failing to comply. In particular, we have developed and launched automated systems to better track and collect tax debts, to conduct enhanced risk assessments, and to track activities concerning taxpayers who fail to register. To enhance and sustain our effectiveness in identifying revenue at risk within our borders, we implemented a new Underground Economy Strategy.

On the international front, we continued our efforts to address tax avoidance and tax evasion. Our important work in this area allows Canada to maintain a crucial role in the International discussions around topics such as Base Erosion and Profit Shifting.

While service and compliance are the external face of the Agency, integrity and security are at the heart of our business. Our CRA Code of Ethics and Conduct contributes to a greater understanding and awareness of integrity and security issues amongst our employees, and also incorporates effective and appropriate disciplinary instruments to maintain overall integrity. In 2014-2015, we implemented measures to strengthen internal controls over system access and enforce Agency security policies and standards.

To advance each of these priorities, we trust and rely on our people. Thanks to our employees, the CRA delivered $22 billion in benefits to Canadians in 2014-2015, and processed $469 billion in taxes on behalf of Canadian governments. In 2014, the CRA was chosen as a Top Youth Employer in Canada, and a Top Employer in the National Capital Region, both of which are indicative of our commitment to employees. We recognize that people are the foundation of the CRA, and it is with pleasure that I take this opportunity to thank our employees for their dedication and hard work.

Original signed

Andrew Treusch
Commissioner of the Canada Revenue Agency

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Date modified:

2016-01-25