The Canada Revenue Agency said today that it is committed too delivering essential services during a strike by 22,000 permanent and several thousand term employees represented by Public Service Alliance of Canada. Some CRA employees have been engaging in rotating strikes across the country.

CRA says it has designated employees to maintain the delivery of essential services. Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) payments will be issued as planned, as will the GST/HST Credit payment and all other benefit and credit payments.

The processing of objections relating to eligibility for the CCTB and the GST/HST Credit, as well as rulings and appeals relating to Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan, will also continue.

The next CCTB payment will be issued September 20.

The CRA also reminds all taxpayers –individuals and businesses –that it offers options to help them meet their payment and remittance deadlines.

The CRA is encouraging taxpayers to make their payments directly through their financial institutions, either electronically or by bringing a remittance voucher directly to the bank, which can transmit a payment to the Agency directly.

Payments can still be sent by mail to a CRA tax centre. Taxpayers are responsible for doing everything they can to ensure payments are received by the CRA in time to avoid penalties or interest charges.

For more information on CRA services during a strike, on making payments electronically, or on the Agency’s electronic services, visit the CRA Web site.