Revenue Quebec Releases Action Plan in Response to Ombudsman’s Criticism

On January 26, 2016, Revenue Quebec released an action plan, as had been requested by Finance Minister Carlos J. Leitão, in response to the issues raised in the 2014-2015 Annual Ombudsman report, which had leveled harsh criticism towards the agency’s current practices.

The plan, which is currently only available in French, lists 19 specific actions that Revenue Quebec will undertake in response to the Ombudsman’s report. These actions may be grouped into the following five themes:

• A “charter of rights” for taxpayers (and their agents);
• Administrative resolution of disagreements and more straightforward access to justice;
• Enhancement of tax audit processes, including the experience for taxpayers;
• Improvement of Revenue Quebec’s relationship with taxpayers; and
• Ongoing monitoring of, and follow-up on, the action plan.

The targeted implementation date for some of the initiatives is as early as February 2016, and most of the actions will either be ongoing or are scheduled to be completed before the end of the year.

Further information on Revenue Quebec’s action plan can be found on the agency’s website at: http://www.revenuquebec.ca/documents/fr/publications/adm/ADM-596(2016-01).pdf

(Please note that this document is currently only available in French)