Corporate Connection Fall 2007: Report to the Canada Revenue Agency

Prepared for the:
Public Affairs Branch
Canada Revenue Agency
FINAL REPORT
November 2007
POR# 018-07
Contract #46558-088234/001/CY

Prepared by:
EKOS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC

Le rapport complet en français sera fourni sur demande.

To request a full copy of this report, please contact Library and Archives Canada at:
613-996-5115 or 1-866-578-7777 or www.collectionscanada.ca

Media Enquiries:
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
4th Floor 555 MacKenzie Avenue
Ottawa ON K1A 0L5
media.relations@cra-arc.gc.ca

Executive Summary

This report presents the results for questions asked on behalf of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that were included in the fall 2007 wave of Corporate Connection. The objective of the research was to seek the views of corporate executives regarding potential methods to inform them about new regulations for Corporate Income Tax and GST/HST. The questions asked focused on the perceived usefulness of various information delivery methods, and the preferred timing of notices about such changes.

Majorities of executives think that each of the potential methods for communicating new regulations for Corporate Income Tax and GST/HST were at least moderately useful. That said, the preferred method was clearly through their tax practitioner (82%). Many executives also assessed as useful independent inserts in CRA mailings (73%) and communicating through business associations (66%). Smaller numbers, but still majorities, attributed at least moderate usefulness to paragraphs on official CRA communications (56%), promotional mail items (52%), and public notices in newspapers (51%).

In terms of timing, executives tended to be divided between those who think that six months (51%) or three months (41%) is sufficient notice for the CRA to communicate with them about regulatory changes. Relatively few (8%) felt that the shorter notice of one month would be sufficient.

Date modified:

2010-02-16