The Canada Revenue Agency polled the public on sharing information from tax returns with police and debt collectors, records show. Taxpayers in an internal report called it a bad idea, something akin to “Big Brother.”.“There is a general unease related to use of personal information and online tracking of views and behaviour,” said the report Canadian Attitudes Toward The Sharing Of Tax Information. “This is likely related to the sense of ‘Big Brother’ watching and knowing what individuals are doing.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, many Canadians hold fairly negative views about the Canada Revenue Agency sharing personal information. The report did not identify who asked for tax returns. “The Agency wants to optimize its use of taxpayer information,” wrote researchers. Canadians file some 30 million returns annually..“The specific objectives were to understand the extent to which Canadians think it is appropriate for the Agency to gather information about citizens from other government sources to ensure compliance with tax law; the extent to which Canadians think it is acceptable to disclose or use taxpayer information for purposes other than tax administration; and the extent to which the sharing of information affects compliance levels,” said the report..Information sought for sharing included all personal data “someone might submit when they file their tax return” including name, age, address, Social Insurance Number, marital status, number of children, disability status, income and other information..“About one quarter, 27%, think the Agency sharing information with other federal and provincial government departments is a good idea,” said Canadian Attitudes. “Significantly more view this as a bad idea, 47%, with many saying it is a very bad idea, 35%” (original emphasis)..Findings were based on questionnaires with 2,200 people nationwide. The Agency paid pollsters with Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. $133,435 for the report..Taxpayers were polled on whether they would agree to have the Agency share their information with police, public debt collectors or other institutions. “The degree to which Canadians support or oppose the Canada Revenue Agency sharing information varies significantly based on the type of information being shared,” wrote researchers..63% supported sharing their name and address “so that mailing lists can be kept up to date for benefit programs.” 59% support sharing their income figures “to determine eligibility for benefits.”.“Less than half, 49%, support providing a person’s address to help federal and provincial governments identify people who owe them money,” wrote researchers. “Canadians are least likely to support the Canada Revenue Agency providing a person’s identification and income to Canadian law enforcement agencies, 40%.”
