A Year to Confirm Ex-Husband Got Former Wife's Tax Information
A woman complained to the OPC after discovering her tax information, held by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), was inappropriately accessed by a CRA employee who was the common-law spouse of her ex-husband. The ex-husband subsequently used this information to seek an amendment to a child support arrangement. The CRA's internal investigation confirmed the unauthorized access and disclosure but took 13 months, and the complainant was never informed of the results. The OPC's investigation found the complaint to be well-founded, noting that while the CRA had a discipline policy, allegations of misconduct needed to be addressed more quickly. The OPC also highlighted the need for enhanced privacy training for employees with access to personal tax information.
- 1Whether the Canada Revenue Agency inappropriately disclosed personal tax information
- 2Whether the Canada Revenue Agency adequately responded to the internal investigation
- 3Whether the Canada Revenue Agency's policies and training were sufficient to protect personal information
- Unauthorized access: Complaint well-founded
- Unauthorized disclosure: Complaint well-founded
- Timeliness of investigation: CRA investigation too slow
- Notification of outcome: Complainant not informed
- Discipline policy: Need for quicker action
- Privacy training: Need for enhanced training
Complaint well-founded — recommendations accepted and implemented
The OPC found that the complainant's tax information was inappropriately accessed and disclosed by a CRA employee. Although the CRA had a discipline policy, the investigation process was too slow, and the complainant was not informed of the outcome, indicating a need for improved procedures and training.
The OPC recommended that the Canada Revenue Agency address employee misconduct allegations more quickly and efficiently, and enhance privacy training for employees with access to personal tax information.
This summary is informational only and not legal advice.
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