Updated: 01/19/09
Service for Seniors provides a simple system for low-income seniors in Canada, or those helping them with their income taxes, to file their Canadian income tax returns by phone.
Based on their previous income tax returns, in late January about 270,000 Canadian seniors are sent a personalized letter from the Canada Revenue Agency inviting them to use the Service for Seniors. The letter contains an information sheet and an access code for using the service.
Service for Seniors lets eligible seniors enter their Social Insurance Number and access code, and answer a few questions with "yes" or "no." Income is calculated automatically using Canada Revenue Agency information and allowances for the basic personal amount, age amount and, if applicable, the disability amount, The only amounts that have to be entered are to claim refundable provincial or territorial tax credits for residents of Ontario, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories.
Eligibility for Income Tax Service for Seniors
To be invited to use the Service for Seniors for the 2008 income tax year, Canadian seniors must
- be over age 65
- have their only income for 2007 from Old Age Security (OAS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Quebec Pension Plan (QPP), or Net Federal Supplements
- have a taxable income for 2007 of less than $10,500 ($15,000 if disability amount is included).
How to Use the Service for Seniors
To use the Service for Seniors, call the regular TELEFILE service at 1-800-959-1110. The service is available from February 9 to September 30, 2009.
Once you enter your Social Insurance Number and access code, the system will recognize that you are eligible to use the Service for Seniors.
