Requirement to Pay (Garnishment Notice)
The CRA's garnishment instrument — a legal demand sent to a third party (employer, bank, clients) requiring them to redirect money owed to you to the CRA instead. If you're seeing one, collections escalation is complete.
⏰ The deadlines
| Immediately | Contact CRA collections — an arrangement can get an RTP lifted or reduced |
✅ How to defuse it: Negotiating a payment arrangement (or paying) — the CRA routinely withdraws or limits RTPs once a kept arrangement is in place.
🛡️ Defenses & defects to check
- Your employer/bank MUST comply — do not blame them; work the CRA side.
- If the garnishment leaves you unable to cover basic living costs, invoke the hardship provisions and ask for a reduced rate.
- If the debt itself is wrong, an objection (if in time) or taxpayer relief may apply — get advice fast.
💡 What the pros know
- An RTP to your bank can freeze what's in the account the day it lands — if one is threatened in a legal warning, act in days, not weeks.
Related forms: Collections Letters (Reminder → Legal Warning) · Taxpayer Relief (Your Request — Form RC4288)
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Decode it freeGeneral tax information, not tax or legal advice — verified against official guidance but programs and deadlines change. Confirm on canada.ca or with a licensed tax professional; free help exists at community tax clinics (CVITP).