Ask to cancel penalties or interest (taxpayer relief) — English letter template

Use this if you couldn’t pay or file on time because of something outside your control, like a serious illness, a disaster or money problems. It can only cancel penalties and interest, not the tax itself. You can also use form RC4288 or My Account.

What the letter says

I ask you to cancel the penalties and interest on my account. I couldn’t pay or file on time because [reason]. I attach proof.

The letter in English

Fill in the parts in [brackets], print, sign and send it by post. Keep a copy.

[Your full name]
[Your street address]
[City, state or province, postal code]

[Name of the agency or company]
[Address from the letter]

[City], [YYYY-MM-DD]

Re: Request for taxpayer relief — cancel penalties and interest

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your notice dated [YYYY-MM-DD] shows a balance owing of [amount].
I could not pay or file on time because [reason, for example: I was seriously ill / I lost my job / there was a family emergency].

I ask you to cancel or reduce the penalties and interest on my account under the taxpayer relief provisions.

I attach proof: [list your documents].

Sincerely,


[Signature]
[Your full name]

When you check your own letter with Briefly, it fills in the date, reference numbers and amounts for you.