Liaison Officer Service
Canada
Get free tax help for your small business
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 14, 2019
grant_single|financingType
Expert Advice
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Request in-person support and guidance at key moments in your business’ life cycle to help you understand and meet your tax obligations.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Liaison Officer service is offered across Canada, providing support to small business owners and self-employed individuals nationwide. This service ensures geographical coverage to assist with tax obligations and business deductions.
- All provinces and territories within Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$2,000
Vancouver
Launch a series of educational webinars about tax obligations for small businesses
$3,000
Halifax
Host a seminar on tax compliance strategies for local businesses by FinanceCo-op
$2,500
Toronto
Implement new bookkeeping software and employee training at EcoEnergy Solutions
$2,300
Calgary
Upgrade accounting system and tax training for staff at Maple Leaf Grocers
$1,700
Ottawa
Enhance bookkeeping processes with new tools and training at GreenFarm Ltd
$1,000
Montreal
Pilot workshop on bookkeeping improvements for artisans at CraftUnion Co-op
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Liaison Officer service and associated educational webinars is primarily centered on the type of business or individual seeking assistance.
- Owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals are eligible for personalized support to understand tax obligations.
- Groups and associations can organize in-person seminars or online webinars on tax topics including the Underused Housing Tax.
- Owners of residential properties in Canada must determine if they are affected by the Underused Housing Tax to potentially benefit from related guidance.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Liaison Officer service by the Canada Revenue Agency is designed to support owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals across Canada. The eligibility criteria for this service primarily include:- Owners of small businesses looking for guidance on understanding their tax obligations and improving their bookkeeping practices.- Self-employed individuals needing assistance with tax-related queries and bookkeeping recommendations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Liaison Officer service by the CRA provides small business owners and self-employed individuals with personalized tax support and educational resources. Eligible activities include personalized visits, seminars, webinars, and assistance with understanding new tax regulations such as the Underused Housing Tax.
- Requesting a personalized visit from a Liaison Officer.
- Organizing seminars or webinars for groups or associations.
- Participating in free webinars on the Underused Housing Tax.
- Receiving guidance on tax obligations and bookkeeping best practices.
- Utilizing online tools and electronic services for tax management.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
- Determining eligibility based on owning a small business or being self-employed
- Providing personalized support to understand tax obligations
- Offering free educational webinars on the Underused Housing Tax
- Assessment of potential benefits through the Liaison Officer service
- Feedback and satisfaction surveys from participants
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Request a personalized visit or organize a seminar/webinar
- Content: Choose between a personalized visit or organizing a seminar/webinar
- Implications: Decide on the type of interaction you want with the Liaison Officer service
- Step 2: Interact with the Liaison Officer
- Content: During the visit or seminar/webinar, liaisons officers will provide tax assistance, explain bookkeeping concepts, offer online tools overview, answer questions, and give recommendations.
- Implications: Understand tax obligations, learn about deductions, avoid errors, improve bookkeeping, and strengthen your business operations.
- Step 3: Book your free liaison officer visit
- Content: Click the "Request a Liaison Officer service" button to schedule a visit or seminar/webinar.
- Implications: Initiate the process to receive free tax help and personalized support.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Liaison Officer service's assistance is 100% confidential, ensuring that discussions are not shared within CRA or externally.
- Since its inception in 2014, the service has aided over 94,000 small business owners.
- An anonymous post-visit survey indicated a high satisfaction rate, with 97% finding it helpful for understanding tax obligations and 98% pleased with the assistance provided.
- There are about 180 CRA liaison officers available across Canada to assist small business owners and the self-employed.
- The service includes help with using the Financial Performance Data tool to benchmark business performance against industry standards.
- Business owners can verify the authenticity of the service through specific caller identification measures as outlined.
- New free webinars on the Underused Housing Tax are available, complementing personalized support services.
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Understanding of Tax Obligations with CRA’s Liaison Officer Service
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides free, confidential services through its Liaison Officer program to assist small business owners and self-employed individuals in navigating their tax responsibilities. With the introduction of new educational webinars covering the Underused Housing Tax, the CRA aims to offer helpful resources and personalized support to alleviate tax-related stresses.
In-Depth Insight on CRA’s Liaison Officer Service and Its Benefits
The Liaison Officer service by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) stands as a pivotal resource for small business proprietors and self-employed individuals across Canada. Established in 2014, this service reflects CRA’s commitment to enhancing the understanding of tax obligations and improving compliance among taxpayers. Since its inception, the program has benefitted over 94,000 small businesses, demonstrating its effectiveness and widespread approval, with a satisfaction rate exceeding 97%. The primary objective of the Liaison Officer service is to demystify tax regulations, provide insight into bookkeeping best practices, and reduce common tax errors that could potentially trigger audits or penalties.
The services offered under this program are notably versatile, allowing business owners to request personalized one-on-one visits, which can be conducted in-person, via telephone, or through an online meeting platform like MS Teams. These confidential sessions ensure that any sensitive information shared by the business owner remains secure and is not disclosed to any other section of the CRA. Alternatively, businesses may opt to host an educational seminar or online webinar led by a liaison officer for larger groups, making it easier for more people to gain valuable knowledge simultaneously.
During these insightful sessions, liaison officers address a range of topics crucial to empowering business owners. Key among them is helping businesses understand their tax obligations and opportunities for deductions. They provide comprehensive guidance on general bookkeeping concepts that are vital for maintaining accurate financial records—a crucial component not only for tax preparation but for strategic business planning and growth.
In addition to focusing on tax obligations, liaison officers also utilize CRA’s Financial Performance Data to teach business owners how to analyze their own businesses’ revenues and expenses. By comparing these financial metrics with industry benchmarks, companies can gain a competitive edge by identifying areas for improvement or potential investments. This hands-on support is instrumental for small business owners who may lack the resources or expertise to conduct such in-depth analyses independently.
Another critical aspect of the service is its role in educating businesses on avoiding common tax pitfalls. By understanding frequent errors and implementing best practices, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of future complications, thereby saving time and resources. Liaison officers also introduce beneficiaries to a suite of online tools and electronic services offered by the CRA, facilitating easier access to resources and more efficient tax management.
Adding to the breadth of their services, the CRA now offers webinars focusing on the Underused Housing Tax (UHT), a new tax that took effect in 2022, affecting ownership of vacant or underused housing properties in Canada. This initiative is particularly important for property owners who may be subject to this 1% annual tax and need clear guidance on compliance requirements, including filing returns and determining applicable exemptions.
The webinars are structured to provide a detailed overview of UHT, guiding participants through the intricacies of who must file returns, payment calculations, and exploring potential exemptions. By addressing general queries about UHT, the CRA ensures clarity and preparedness among taxpayers, reducing the risk of errors that could lead to financial penalties.
In summary, the Liaison Officer service is an invaluable asset to Canadian small businesses and self-employed individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of tax filing and compliance. It not only educates and informs but also builds a foundation for ongoing fiscal responsibility and business success. As such, small business owners and self-employed professionals are encouraged to take advantage of this complimentary service by requesting a liaison officer's visit or scheduling a group webinar to fortify their tax knowledge and skills.
