(File photo/paNOW)

By Angie Rolheiser

Income Tax season

Government benefits could be delayed by waiting to file income tax

Apr 13, 2020 | 12:58 PM

A local accountant is encouraging residents to stick to the April 30th income tax deadline to avoid delays or cut-offs to any eligible benefits.

Brian Rumberger with Rumberger & Fettis Accounting in Melfort said the June 1st extension announced by the federal and provincial government is a bit of a false deadline.

Rumberger told northeastNOW it is better to get your taxes filed sooner rather than later.

“With the government child tax benefit, if people want to get that uninterrupted they still need to get their taxes in by April 30th,” Rumberger said. “If the government needs information on an annual basis, they still need it by the end of April.”

That would also apply for the Old Age Security guaranteed income supplement.

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“That government money that comes on a monthly basis could be delayed by waiting,” Rumberger said.

The other obvious benefit of filling right away is to get potential returns quicker.

In the uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic, the work being done by accountants is also taking more time.

“Right now at our office we have a drop-off area but we let that sit for a few days and then it’s given to a staff member that is likely working from home,” Rumberger said.

A personal tax return that would typically be turned around in 5-7 days, it is taking more like 10-14 days to ensure all safety measures are being met.

The doors to the office are locked to the public but the firm can still take on clients at this time.

“Getting information digitally works better than even three years ago with more access to technology,” Rumberger said. “We are making the best of it and doing our best to get all information we need and get those taxes in on time.”

On March 30, the federal and provincial government announced the income tax filing extensions in an effort to help taxpayers affected by the economic disruption from the COVID-19 outbreak.

The deadline to pay any amounts owing was extended to Sept. 1.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser