Tax season is upon us and unfortunately that means paying any taxes that may be outstanding. Taxes should be carefully planned each year to ensure they do not become overwhelming, but what happens if you are faced with an unexpectedly large bill?
The most important thing to do if you have a large tax bill coming your way is to file your taxes on time. Avoidance does not work with the CRA and it is best to face tax debt head one. Delaying will only end up with additional penalties. There are a number of strategies available to help you deal with your tax debt.
1. Get a Personal Loan
This is the first step the CRA will expect you to take to pay off your debt. Personal loans, borrowing against the value of your home, or borrowing from an individual are all options here. This will be the path of least resistance for most people. A personal loan will wipe out your debt to the CRA and allow you to create a reasonable payment plan for your situation that gives you flexibility to defer if necessary.
2. Access the Value in Your Home
Your home is often the biggest asset you own. Therefore, there are usually options to borrow against the value of the home. This can be done is a few ways:
a. Home Equity Line of Credit:
The first options are looking into lending products such as a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). HELOC’s work by allowing a homeowner to take out of large line of credit on their home. Many people use these products as a mortgage alternative, but they also work to access the value of your home without selling the property.
b. Refinancing your Home:
Refinancing is essentially taking a new mortgage out on your house. If you currently have a mortgage, this may mean replacing that mortgage with a new one that has a higher principal amount. If you are currently living mortgage free, this means picking a mortgage on the house as you normally would if you were buying a new house.
c. Use Your House as Collateral for a Loan
Many loans, especially those of large amounts, require collateral before they are issued. This means the lending institution wants something of value put up against the loan in case the loan is not repaid.
d. Sell Your Property
A last resort but selling a property may be the only way to gain access to its value if you are unable to secure financing.
3. Request for Taxpayer Relief
Individuals with outstanding debts to the CRA may be able to request “Taxpayer Relief”. Taxpayer Relief can reduce your amount owing by offering relief from penalties and interest charges. Typically, taxpayer relief is only granted under extraordinary circumstances such as job loss, serious illness, and a clear inability to pay. Taxpayers must submit a formal request to the CRA using form RC4288 and submitting complete and accurate documentation of their circumstances.
4. Request a Payment Plan
Taxpayers may request a payment plan from the CRA but only after they have exhausted all other reasonable options to pay their balance i.e. Personal loan, refinancing house etc. Payment plans are typically not available for large amounts that can’t be repaid in a year.
When negotiating a payment plan with the CRA it is always best to involve a tax professional who can make the negotiation for you. CRA negotiators are experienced and their main concern is getting the balance owing as quickly as possible. It isn’t uncommon for taxpayers to enter a payment plan that is unrealistic for their financial situation. CRA’s priority will always be the debt owed to them.
Remember – Speak To Your Advisor
You should always seek expert advice in these situations. Some may go it alone, resorting to extremes, such as declaring bankruptcy, which has devastating short and long-term financial effects and should only be utilized as an absolute last resort.
Tax debt can be overwhelming but realize that there are options available to you. If you aren’t sure where to start, get in touch with us today.