The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted a message to its web site reminding people that, should Canada Post go on strike, they may still phone or fax to arrange to receive their benefit payments through direct deposit.
The CRA emphasizes that it is faster, easier, and cheaper to both receive benefits through direct deposit and pay their taxes online. The CRA is also warning Canadians that in the event of a postal disruption, they are still required “to make every effort” to pay their taxes on time.
Those who have already registered for the CRA's My Account web portal have full access to their tax accounts and can sign up for direct deposit immediately. New registrants for the online service are in a more difficult position, since they will still need receive their security code in the mail before all of the features are made available to them. However, the CRA points out that it is still possible to sign up for direct deposit by phone and fax.
How to sign up
To sign up for direct deposit or to change account information by telephone, taxpayers may call 1-800-959-8281. The CRA says that when you call you will need your:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- Full name and current address, including postal code;
- Date of birth;
- Most recent assessed income tax and benefit return and information about the most recent payments you got from the Canada Revenue Agency;
- Banking information: three-digit financial institution number, five-digit transit number, and your account number. These numbers are found at the bottom of a cheque, or on a monthly bank statement.
To sign up for direct deposit by fax, individuals may fill out the Canada Direct Deposit enrolment form (available on the CRA web site) and fax it back along with a bank stamp or a void cheque to the Sudbury Tax Centre at 705-671-3994.
