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Complex forms result in bill — instead of credit — for many Quebecers

Complicated tax form blamed for Quebecers getting $500 tax bill instead of credit.

Revenue Quebec has apologized for confusion over its online forms that saw many Quebecers, who believed they were owed a tax credit, slapped with bills of more than $500.

According to CJAD, the issue stems from the province’s solidarity tax credit, which was introduced five years ago to help people with low and middle incomes cope with their housing expenses and provincial sales taxes.

But Revenue Quebec has received hundreds of calls recently, many of them signaling that they had received a bill instead of a tax credit, according to the Montreal radio station.

The provincial tax authority initially thought the issue had resulted from a technical glitch, but Stephane Dion, a spokesman with Revenue Quebec, told CJAD on Tuesday that it had likely been caused by confusion with its online forms.

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“It’s not a software or technical problem. We believe our form is too complicated – even tax people don’t really understand it,” he said. “We have to fix it.”

As a result, many Quebecers were handed a bill for the same amount that they expected to receive as a credit, with some people being charged in excess of $500.

“We are sorry for this situation,” Dion said. “What we’re saying to all the taxpayers concerned is to go on the website and they (can) send us the right information. And when we receive that information, we will do the correction if necessary.”

Dion also assured Quebecers who have been wrongly slapped with a tax bill that the issue will be fixed.

“I want to be clear for everyone. All taxpayers ought to be sure they will not be penalized as a result of this situation.”

About 200 additional staff have been enlisted to handle the increased volume of calls in response to the outrage over the issue, according to CJAD.

Revenue Quebec says on its website that it apologizes for the “inconvenience,” resulting from its “busy” phone lines, and it is “working to bring the situation back to normal as quickly as possible.

The solidarity tax credit is offered to Quebecers who met the following criteria on Dec. 31, 2015:

  • Were 18 or older or if they were younger than 18 and had a spouse, were the father or mother of child who lived with you or were recognized as an emancipated minor.

  • A resident of Quebec.

  • They or their spouse was a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or protected person, or a temporary resident or held a temporary resident permit.