Privacy and Information in British Columbia
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 British Columbia differs from federal law
Your tax information is protected by confidentiality rules at both the federal and provincial level.
- The CRA protects federal tax information under the federal Income Tax Act and Privacy Act. These rules are the same across Canada.
- For BC provincial tax information, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) governs how the BC government collects, uses, and discloses your personal information, including tax data held by the Ministry of Finance.
- You have the right to request your own records from the BC Ministry of Finance under FIPPA. The request must be responded to within 30 business days.
- BC Ministry of Finance officials are prohibited from disclosing your tax information except as authorized by statute — for example, for tax collection, audit, or as required by court order.
Additional Steps in British Columbia
For access to your federal tax records, use CRA My Account or file a formal access request under the federal Privacy Act. For BC provincial tax records, make a Freedom of Information request to the BC Ministry of Finance under FIPPA. You can submit the request online through the BC Government's FOI portal. There is no fee for requesting your own personal information.
Relevant Law: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996, c. 165; Privacy Act, RSC 1985, c. P-21 (federal); Income Tax Act, RSC 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.), s. 241
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.
Privacy and Information in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.