“Our government passed a resolution in the House of Assembly in 2008 calling on the Federal Government to provide consistent tax treatment to Atlantic Groundfish Licence Retirement Programme retirees. I am pleased that the Federal Government has approved the payments received under the program order that will permit the refund of the federal portion of the personal income tax to individuals listed in the order and we are pleased to do the same with the provincial portion. At the same time, I would like to recognize Elizabeth Harvey of Isle aux Morts for her continued efforts on behalf of the people who were negatively impacted by this previous decision. She is to be credited for persistence in seeing this matter addressed and for ensuring fairness for individuals associated with the Atlantic Groundfish Licence Retirement Programme,” said Charlene Johnson, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.
In September 2013, the Federal Government passed an order under the Financial Administration Act to remit a portion of the federal income tax, late-filing penalties, employment insurance benefits repayments, and interest paid or payable thereon, in respect of the 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002 tax year, as the case may be, to certain fishers who received payments under the AGLRP. The portion remitted is calculated as if one-half of the payment received from the retirement of the fishing licence under the AGLRP had been non-taxable and the remaining one-half had been a taxable capital gain to an individual licence holder in the tax year in which the AGLRP payment was received.
“Every harvester receiving income from the Atlantic Groundfish Licence Retirement Program deserved to be treated fairly with respect to taxation, and so it is very satisfying to see this issue come to a positive resolution. I commend all those involved in this issue for their perseverance, and extend my appreciation to the Federal Government for taking action to correct an unfair situation,” Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Affected individuals who would like to obtain further information about their account are encouraged to contact the Newfoundland and Labrador Tax Services Office, at 1-877-772-8862.
