--- title: "CRA Can Report Tax Debts Over $50,000 to Credit Bureaus" url: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/tax-debt-credit-bureau description: "Budget 2026 lets the CRA report unpaid tax debts over $50,000, including GST/HST, to credit bureaus after appeals end. Find out when it can happen." type: tax-update updated: 2026-11-06 summary: "Budget 2026 proposes letting the CRA report a tax debt over $50,000, including GST/HST, to credit bureaus. It can only do so once the assessment is no longer under objection or appeal, after it has tried to collect and offered a payment arrangement, and after giving 30 days’ written notice. It would apply once the law receives royal assent." faq_count: 2 publisher: EverStone CPA Inc., a Chartered Professional Accountant firm registered with CPA British Columbia and CPA Alberta service_area: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba language: en-CA contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online --- [Home](https://www.everstonecpa.com/) [Tax updates](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-updates) [Budget 2026](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026) Tax debts over $50,000 can be reported to credit bureaus CRA compliance # Tax debts over $50,000 can be reported to credit bureaus By EverStone CPA · Updated November 2026 A new collection tool: once a tax debt over $50,000 is final, the CRA could tell the credit bureaus. That affects borrowing for the business and for you. **Quick answer:** Budget 2026 proposes letting the CRA report a tax debt over $50,000, including GST/HST, to credit bureaus. It can only do so once the assessment is no longer under objection or appeal, after it has tried to collect and offered a payment arrangement, and after giving 30 days’ written notice. It would apply once the law receives royal assent. **Owe the CRA and need a plan?** We contact the CRA for you and set up a payment arrangement you can actually keep. [Get My Fixed Quote](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=corporate-tax#enquiry-form) **Announced, not yet law** · On royal assent (proposed) This has been announced but is not yet law. It can change or be withdrawn. ## When the CRA could report a debt All of these must be true: - The debt is more than $50,000. - The assessment is not under objection or appeal, and those rights have been used or have expired. - The CRA has taken reasonable steps to collect and offered a payment arrangement. - The CRA has given 30 days’ written notice. ## Example A corporation owes $70,000 of unpaid GST/HST and has not responded to collection letters. After the 30-day notice, the CRA could report the debt, which would show up when the owner applies for a line of credit or equipment financing. Agreeing a payment arrangement before that point is what prevents it. **What to do.** If you owe a large balance, answer CRA collections letters and ask for a payment arrangement. See [what happens in CRA collections](https://www.everstonecpa.com/blog/cra-collections-what-happens-next). Whether this applies to you depends on your year-end and structure; [ask about your own situation](https://www.everstonecpa.com/quick-question) and a CPA replies by email, usually the same business day, free. ## Common questions **Can the CRA report my tax debt to a credit bureau?** Under the proposal, only debts over $50,000 that are final, after collection steps, a payment arrangement offer and 30 days’ notice. **Does it include GST/HST?** Yes. GST/HST debts are included. ## Where this comes from Budget 2026 was tabled on 5 November 2026. Figures on this page are from: - [Thor — 2026 Federal Budget: key tax measures](https://www.thor.ca/blog/2026/11/2026-federal-budget-key-tax-measures/) - [RBC Wealth Management — Federal budget 2026 overview](https://www.rbcwealthmanagement.com/en-ca/insights/federal-budget-2026-an-overview-of-key-measures-that-may-impact-you) - [BLG — Federal Budget 2026: tax measures](https://www.blg.com/en/insights/2026/11/federal-budget-2026-sovereignty-strategic-investment-and-tax-simplification) **General information, not tax advice.** Budget measures are proposals until enacted and can change. Before deciding anything, [send an enquiry](https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online?service=corporate-tax#enquiry-form). [Federal Budget 2026: what changes for small business owners](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/federal-budget-2026) [CRA penalties are going up: what Budget 2026 proposes](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/cra-penalties-increase) [Disputing a CRA assessment: one year instead of 90 days](https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/objection-deadline-one-year) --- Source: https://www.everstonecpa.com/tax-update/tax-debt-credit-bureau Prices: https://www.everstonecpa.com/pricing · Contact: info@everstonecpa.com · https://www.everstonecpa.com/book-online