Canada Revenue Agency Service Interruption

    OTTAWA, March 7 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is
experiencing electronic system difficulties that prevent the public from
accessing some electronic services such as NETFILE, TELEFILE and EFILE. We
have temporarily shut down public access to electronic services to ensure the
integrity of taxpayer information.
    The CRA has a team working to restore its systems to normal operations
but it will be a matter of days before the system problems are completely
resolved. The security and integrity of taxpayer data has not been
compromised. This problem is not the result of illegal activity, computer
hackers or a virus.
    We have now traced the source of the problem to software maintenance
conducted on March 4, 2007. We are currently working to bring all systems back
online gradually.

    - Currently, you cannot file your personal return electronically by
      NETFILE, TELEFILE or EFILE. Until the problem is resolved, we cannot
      process returns filed on paper, or returns filed electronically before
      the system interruption. Refunds will be delayed until processing is
      resumed.

    - We expect that all benefit payments, including the March 20 Universal
      Child Care Benefit and Canada Child Tax Benefit and the April 5 Goods
      and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax Credit, will be made on time
      and without interruption.

    - If you have already filed your income tax return electronically, the
      CRA will be able to determine whether the filing of your return was
      affected by this problem.

    - It is too soon to speculate on whether the filing deadline will be
      extended. The CRA fully expects to restore all services well in advance
      of the filing deadline.

    - Existing My Account users may still view their tax information, but are
      not able to process any transactions.

    - Electronic services for businesses, including My Business Account, are
      not directly impacted. There are no problems with employer remittances
      of payroll deductions, Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax
      (GST/HST) remittances, or the Business Number registration system.

    - While the system problem affects the processing of many incoming
      payments, GST payments can still be processed. You can continue to make
      your payments as follows:

      - In person at your financial institution.
      - Online using your financial institution's Internet or telephone
        banking service.
      - By sending your payment to the CRA by mail.

    We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. We
appreciate your continuing patience while we resolve this matter.

For further information: Béatrice Fénelon, Media Relations, (613)
941-6269