Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) letter explained in English
Provincial finance office. Handles some provincial taxes and collects money owed to the province.
Letters you may get
- Notice of assessment — a decision on a provincial tax, for example land transfer tax or sales tax (PST)
- Statement of account — money you owe the province
- Collection letter — an old debt the province wants paid
What to do
- Outside Quebec, your provincial income tax is handled by the CRA with your federal return. Letters from the province itself are usually about other taxes or debts.
- Find the deadline. Look for “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”). See the template.
Words you may see
- notice of assessment
- The CRA’s answer after it processes your tax return. It shows your income, your tax, and whether you owe money or get a refund.
Questions
What is the Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province)?
Provincial finance office. Handles some provincial taxes and collects money owed to the province.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “deadline”, “pay by”, “due date”, “within”, “no later than” — they mark the deadline. In Canada, many deadlines count from the date printed on the letter, not from the day it arrives — for example, the 90 days to object to a tax notice. Mail can take several days, so check the date on the letter and act early. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“notice of objection”, “request for reconsideration”, “appeal”, “objection”, “review”, “dispute”).
Can I read a Ministry of Finance / Revenue (your province) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Canada
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Service Canada · Provincial health plan (OHIP, MSP, AHCIP …) · ServiceOntario / ICBC / registry office · City or town — property tax department · City bylaw enforcement / parking · Police service / Provincial Offences Court