Canadian online tax system closed down

OH CANADA. It's not just UK Government that's hopeless at running computer systems, its counterparts in the Dominions appear to be equally inept. The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has shut down all public access to its systems 'to ensure the integrity of taxpayer information'.

The CRA insists that there 'was never a time when the security and privacy of taxpayer data was at risk'. Hmmm. 'integrity' obviously means something else to them. A misbehaving software patch, rather than a hacker intrusion is blamed for the shut down. In the meantime, the CRA is encouraging taxpayers to keep handing over any money owed - it's just refunds and credits that are affected. Funny that.

The agency says on its Website: "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 that were filed electronically before the system interruption. Refunds will be delayed until processing is resumed."

The CRA advises that there is as yet no ETA for normal robbery service being resumed. µ

L'Inq
Canadian Revenue Agency