Fact sheet

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Canada Revenue Agency Service Interruption

March 2007

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is experiencing electronic system difficulties that prevent the public from accessing some electronic services such as NETFILE, TELEFILE and EFILE. We have temporarily shut down public access to electronic services to ensure the integrity of taxpayer information.

The CRA has a team working to restore its systems to normal operations but it will be a matter of days before the system problems are completely resolved. The security and integrity of taxpayer data has not been compromised. This problem is not the result of illegal activity, computer hackers or a virus.

We have now traced the source of the problem to software maintenance conducted on March 4, 2007. We are currently working to bring all systems back online gradually.

• Currently, you cannot file your personal return electronically by NETFILE, TELEFILE or EFILE. Until the problem is resolved, we cannot process returns filed on paper, or returns filed electronically before the system interruption. Refunds will be delayed until processing is resumed.
  
  
• We expect that all benefit payments, including the March 20 Universal Child Care Benefit and Canada Child Tax Benefit and the April 5 Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, will be made on time and without interruption.
  
  
• If you have already filed your income tax return electronically, the CRA will be able to determine whether the filing of your return was affected by this problem.
  
  
• It is too soon to speculate on whether the filing deadline will be extended. The CRA fully expects to restore all services well in advance of the filing deadline.
  
  
• Existing My Account users may still view their tax information, but are not able to process any transactions.
  
  
• Electronic services for businesses, including My Business Account, are not directly impacted. There are no problems with employer remittances of payroll deductions, Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) remittances, or the Business Number registration system.
  
  
• While the system problem affects the processing of many incoming payments, GST payments can still be processed. You can continue to make your payments as follows:
  
  
  • In person at your financial institution.
  • Online using your financial institution's Internet or telephone banking service.
  • By sending your payment to the CRA by mail.

We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. We appreciate your continuing patience while we resolve this matter.

This document is also available for download in PDF format.

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Date modified:

2014-12-03