City, CRA offering tax relief for Ottawa flood victims

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is proposing extending tax deadlines for residents affected or displaced by the flood that's currently inundating the city.

The offer comes aswater levels along the Ottawa River finally stabilize and start to slowly decline.

Recipients of final tax bills being mailed out in about one week will include owners ofthe 310 Ottawa homes directly affectedby flooding, whether they're able to reach their mailboxes or not.

Watson is proposing deferring those residents' payment deadlines to December 7, 2017.

The mayor said he will introduce a motion at Wednesday's city council meetingdirecting staff to create a tax deferral program over the next 30 days that will identify properties affected by the flood.

Watson will also askcouncil to waive its normal rules of procedure to help fast-track the program's implementation.

"This will provide some temporary relief to residents most affected by the flood during this time of need so they can focus on rebuilding their lives and properties," Watson said in a news release.

CRA also offeringrelief

Flood victims will also be able to apply for extra time from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Residents, business ownersand first responders who are unable to file their returns or pay their taxes on time because of flooding can apply for taxpayer relief, the CRA said Tuesday.

They can make their requests online, by using Form RC4288, Request for Taxpayer Relief, or by calling 1-800-959-8281for individual enquiries, and at1-800-959-5525for business enquiries.

The agencysaid it considers each request on a case-by-case basis.

• Full coverage of the flooding in Ottawa-Gatineau