? for Transact users

[rotorfloat]

Is this right

Earlier this year when I got TC's nastygram about income tax deductions for unpaid medical fees, I logged onto transact and took care of everything before I got started on income tax.

March 08: new medical, new $55 bill in the mail. No problem, it can sit there, intrest-free, until next tax season.

BUT NO.....TC helps themselves to my credit card on account with transact, no letter, no receipt....nada.

WTF!

[Hot Fuel]

I'm unfamiliar with Transact, is that a taxation firm similar to H & R Block? Did you complete your own return and file it or did you have it done by a taxation specialist offering instant returns?

When you file a return and opt for the instant return you sign a consent form authorizing the company to conduct business on your behalf for all your income tax matters for all tax years. Not 100% sure but this might open a loophole for Revenue Canada to request payment from the company you have authorized to handle your tax affairs.

CRA sends you a polite letter several weeks after filing your taxes advising you of this with a notation that if the information about the firm mentioned in the letter is correct and you agree to the authorization do nothing, if you don't agree to the authorization they give a 800 number to call or an address to send a letter to cancel or change the authorization.

[CD]

Transact is the online site for ordering Transport Canada publications as well as paying bills and accessing invoices:

Transport Canada Transact Home

[rotorfloat]

Finally got through to the good people and TC and got to the bottom of the problem.

Turns out that their billing system had a glitch and the $55 that magically appeared on my online June credit card statement was indeed for my January payment for last year's medical fee. Transact showed that bill paid and balance was zero, but the money was never charged.

He said that hundreds of accounts were affected, and that if I did go back and check my January statement there won't be a charge for that payment.

Great! Now they can still wait until next tax season for this year's medical.