Is there a way to attach a 45(2) election to an efiled return? I don’t see a way to upload the doc on RAC, and I am not sure if I can attach it in Taxcycle to send with the T1. So, are we just mailing those in these days? With a paper copy of the return I assume?
Sorry, @Laura, to the best of my knowledge, it isn’t possible to attach documents to the T1 E-filed return. I submitted a 45(2) election letter on Feb. 26th, dropping it off in the Blue Bin at CRA, as I also couldn’t find category on Submit Documents (on RAC) to submit the 45(2) election. Filing by paper seems to be the only option.
Thanks for the confirmation, just wanted to ensure I wasn’t missing anything.
Did you attach the return to the letter and paper file the return, or send the letter on by itself and still efile the return?
Yes, CRA confirmed you must file 45(2) elections by snail mail.
I’ve e-filed the return and had sent the letter by itself. On the 45(2) election letter, we’ve made sure to disclose that the return was filed electronically.
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Awesome, thanks all!
Yes, I do it the same way. Submit the 45(2) on paper written as a letter and mentioning that I will e-file the tax return separately. In my letter, I also request confirmation that CRA has received the 45(2) election.
Being in Winnipeg, I physically drive the election letter to the CRA office and drop it into the Blue Bin outside their building vs mailing it.
Toronto doesn’t have one of those blue bins (maybe I’m not aware that they still have it) so I instead send it to the CRA by registered mail. That way if they ever say they didn’t receive the letter, I have proof of receipt.
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I fax it because my machine provides a confirmation page with an image of the first page. I only send the letter with NO cover page, so it is on the confirmation page.
My letter includes:
Please mail confirmation that the CRA has received my Subsection 45(2) election letter
to me at the mailing address above.
So far, all submitted elections triggered a confirmation letter from CRA. The confirmation page is my insurance.
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Elections generally must be filed on paper. You are not required to indicate that the T1 return was electronically filed.
The CRA has for the past several years issued letters confirming that the Subsection 45(2) Election has been received.
However, I have discovered that they are not so good if you attempt to mail multiple elections on a single piece of paper (such as both spouses filing a Subsection 45(2) election.) Accordingly, I have changed my practice to submit each election on separate papers.
Another comment about faxing elections, I have had issues with certain tax centres switching off their fax machine in the night, plus being too busy during the day. I just then try to find ANY tax centre with an operational fax machine. While the CRA may complain, my view is that if this is the only way that they let things be filed, I will use what they allow and will fight any dispute by them using the taxpayer relief provisions caused by CRA inability.
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Oh - that is a GREAT idea!! Thanks Tim.
Delivery to CRA is delivery to CRA. Doesn’t matter where IMO.