newsbytes@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1990 JAN 15 (NB) -- By the mid-1990s, most Canadians may be able to file their income tax returns entirely by computer. Revenue Canada, the federal agency responsible for income tax, is testing a system that allows tax returns prepared on a personal computer to be sent directly into its own computer systems over telephone lines. If a pilot project in Winnipeg, Manitoba goes well, Minister of National Revenue Otto Jelinek told a Toronto press conference, the EFILE service will be extended throughout that province and to Saskatchewan and Alberta next year. Jelinek said he would be "pushing for a national program by 1995." In the Winnipeg pilot, due to begin in February, professional tax preparers will be able to transmit returns directly to Revenue Canada by modem. Revenue Canada plans to extend EFILE to allow individuals to file from their home computers or, for those who don't have their own PCs, from computers in government offices, post offices and other public places. Standard communications software will be used. Revenue Canada is also using computers to make things easier for its own employees who answer inquiries from the public. The Tax Information Bank, based on a mainframe computer, uses full-text keyword searching to locate documents relevant to a question. An inquiries officer on the phone with a farmer who wants to know about depreciation allowances on a tractor, for instance, would enter the word "tractor" and in a few seconds get a list of documents containing that word. The officer could then view the full text of the documents on screen to find the needed information. "The Tax Information Bank is currently available to Revenue Canada staff in Ontario and the western provinces. Revenue Canada plans to make it available nationally by 1992," Jelinek said. "Later," he added, "the department will consider extending access to the system, first to tax preparers and accountants and finally to the general public." In the meantime, Revenue Canada offers a telephone service through which callers can hear recorded messages on a variety of subjects, and inquire as to the status of their tax refunds,u sing a touch-tone keypad. (Grant Buckler/19900115/Press Contact: Clyde King, Revenue Canada, 416-973-9415) -- This, and all other articles in the clari.nb hierarchy are Copyright 1990 by the Newsbytes Information Service. Only paid subscribers may access these articles. Any unauthorized access, reproduction or transmission is strictly prohibited. We will reward the first provider of information that helps us stop violators of this copyright. Send reports to reward@clarinet.com.