The deadline for filing taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is May 1, but only 63 per cent of Canadians have filed their taxes as of April 16, finds an H&R Block Canada study.
Out of 37 per cent of people who haven't filed their taxes, a quarter said they have everything ready.
"We urge all Canadians to file their taxes as soon as possible if they haven't already," said Peter Bruno, the president of H&R Block Canada.
Earlier this week, the Public Service Alliance of Canada announced a potential public servants' strike, slated for Wednesday, if a deal is not reached with the federal government by 9 p.m. EDT today.
If a strike occurs, the CRA reported they would prioritize benefit payments and the Canadian Child Benefit. But contact centres may have longer wait times, and processing tax returns may see delays.
One in five Canadians stated feeling more inclined to file their taxes quickly, with the announcement of potential strike action, due to being uncertain about tax refund delays.
The study notes that 15 per cent of Canadians do not feel rushed to file their taxes because they feel the strike might extend the deadline.
"If you run out of runway and end up scrambling last minute to gather the necessary documents, receipts and other relevant information, it's much more likely that you could miss out on the numerous tax credits and benefits that you may be entitled to," said Bruno.
"Filing on time is also critical to avoid potential disruptions to benefits or quarterly installments payments, such as the Climate Action Incentive, Canadian Child Benefit or GST/ HST."
