Privacy and Information in Alberta
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
The CRA is legally required to protect your personal tax information. Section 241 of the Income Tax Act makes unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information a criminal offence.
The Privacy Act and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (Right #3) give you the right to have your information treated as confidential. No CRA employee can share your information without your written consent unless specifically authorized by law.
You have the right to access your own information. You can view much of it through My Account, or submit a formal request under the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) process. The CRA must respond within 30 days.
If your information contains errors, you can request corrections. If the CRA shares your data improperly, you can file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
When does it apply?
This applies to every person and business that files taxes or interacts with the CRA in any way.
- Your privacy rights apply whether you are filing a return, being audited, or receiving benefits.
- These protections cover all CRA interactions — phone, mail, online, and in person.
What to Do If the CRA Improperly Discloses Your Tax Information in Canada
- Access your information through My Account — it shows your returns, assessments, benefit payments, and correspondence.
- Submit an ATIP request if you need detailed records the CRA holds about you.
- File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your information was shared improperly.
- Authorize a representative using Form T1013 if you want someone to access your information on your behalf.
- Request corrections if your CRA records contain errors.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't share your My Account login credentials with anyone — use Form T1013 to authorize a representative instead.
- Don't give your SIN to anyone who doesn't legally need it — the CRA will never ask for your SIN by email or text message.
- Don't assume the CRA can share your information freely — they need legal authority or your written consent.
- Don't overlook ATIP requests in tax disputes — getting the CRA's internal records can be valuable for your objection or appeal.
How Alberta differs from federal law
Your tax information is protected by strict confidentiality rules under the Income Tax Act and the federal Privacy Act. Alberta also has its own Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) for provincial government records.
- The CRA cannot disclose your tax information to third parties except in specific circumstances authorized by law (such as court orders, certain law enforcement purposes, or where you have given written consent).
- You have the right to access your own tax information through CRA My Account, by phone, or by submitting an access to information request.
- If you believe your tax information was improperly disclosed, you can file a complaint with the federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
- Alberta's FOIP Act governs provincial government records. If you need access to Alberta provincial government records about your tax situation (such as provincial benefit programs), you can submit a FOIP request.
- The CRA will only communicate with your authorized representative if you have filed a Form T1013 or equivalent authorization.
Additional Steps in Alberta
To access your tax information, log into CRA My Account at canada.ca/my-cra-account. To file a privacy complaint, contact the federal Office of the Privacy Commissioner at 1-800-282-1376. For Alberta FOIP requests regarding provincial records, contact the relevant provincial ministry or the Alberta Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner at 780-422-6860.
Relevant Law: Income Tax Act, RSC 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.), s. 241 (Confidentiality); Privacy Act, RSC 1985, c. P-21; Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSA 2000, c. F-25
Common Questions
When does privacy and information apply?
This applies to every person and business that files taxes or interacts with the CRA in any way.Your privacy rights apply whether you are filing a return, being audited, or receiving benefits.These protections cover all CRA interactions — phone, mail, online, and in person.
What should I do if I think the CRA in Canada shared my personal tax information without my consent?
Access your information through My Account — it shows your returns, assessments, benefit payments, and correspondence.Submit an ATIP request if you need detailed records the CRA holds about you.File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner if you believe your information was shared improperly.Authorize a representative using Form T1013 if you want someone to access your information on your behalf.Request corrections if your CRA records contain errors.
What mistakes should I avoid with privacy and information?
Don't share your My Account login credentials with anyone — use Form T1013 to authorize a representative instead.Don't give your SIN to anyone who doesn't legally need it — the CRA will never ask for your SIN by email or text message.Don't assume the CRA can share your information freely — they need legal authority or your written consent.Don't overlook ATIP requests in tax disputes — getting the CRA's internal records can be valuable for your objection or appeal.
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