About the CRA

Who we are

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers income tax,
GST/HST, and other taxes, and is the principal revenue collector in the country. We also distribute benefit payments to millions of Canadians.

We strive to ensure that Canadians:

• pay their required share of taxes;
• receive their rightful share of entitlements; and
• are provided with an impartial and responsive review of contested decisions.

Our foundation of trust

Building on our foundation of trust is critical to achieving our mandate. Trust begins with the CRA values that reflect our principles and beliefs and guide our behaviour and practices.

Trust is sustained by our focus on maintaining a fair, open, and transparent tax and benefits administration that serves Canadians with a high degree of accuracy, consistency, and impartiality.

Our contribution to the social and economic well-being of Canada

A well-functioning tax and benefit system is essential to a healthy economy, a sustainable infrastructure, and a strong democracy.

Some of the tax revenue we collect is redistributed to taxpayers in the form of benefit payments or tax credits. Other tax revenue is provided to our federal, provincial, territorial, and First Nations government clients to finance their programs and services for Canadians.

Date modified:

2009-11-05