The utility Crown corporations and SGI are offering temporary relief to people under mandatory evacuation from having to pay their utility bills, insurance premiums and driver’s licence fees that are currently due.
Until September 1, 2015, SaskTel, SaskPower and SaskEnergy are waiving late payments and not proceeding with collection actions or disconnection for nonpayment of services because of mandatory evacuation orders. In addition, residents and small/medium businesses will receive a future credit that will amount to approximately one month fixed service delivery fees.
In addition, any vehicle plate insurance or driver’s licences that are due will not expire because of non-payment of the fees or premiums, or because customers are unable to renew their policy. Other insurance policies through SGI CANADA already have a grace period written in for evacuation situations, which covers the duration of the evacuation as well as up to 30 days after the evacuation order has ended.
“Being away from your home and your community is stressful enough without worrying about bill payments or insurance coverage lapsing,” said Premier Brad Wall.
Customers will still be responsible for payment of services being supplied while they are not home, such as the electricity being consumed by freezers and other appliances. SaskEnergy, for safety reasons, has turned off service of their natural gas system in a number of affected communities. Customers in those communities will not have consumption charges during this period.
Additional relief measures were also announced. Businesses directly impacted by recent fire activity in northern Saskatchewan can apply for relief from penalty and interest charges for filing late PST returns.
Affected businesses must submit a written request for waiver of penalties and interest to the Finance Ministry. Requests should include the business location and outline the circumstances of how the fire-related conditions prevented the PST return(s) from being filed on time. Requests should be marked as fire related and sent to the following address:
Ministry of Finance
Revenue Division
Box 200
Regina SK S4P 2Z6
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-667-6102 (toll free) or 306-787-6645 (Regina)
Fax: 306-798-3045
Tax information bulletins and forms are available online at www.finance.gov.sk.ca/taxes.
The easiest and quickest way to file most provincial tax returns is to use the Saskatchewan Electronic Tax Service (SETS) located at www.finance.gov.sk.ca/ta
