After pressure from PSAC, the government agreed to compensate federal public service employees, with tax problems caused by the Phoenix pay system, for up to $200 per year of tax advisory services.
The claim and release form is strictly restricted to tax advisory services for the tax years 2016 and 2017.
Where an employee has tax filing expenses related to Phoenix which have a total cost equal to, or less than, $200 per year, this claim process is the best way to claim these expenses. There need be no concern about signing the release.
Where an employee has tax filing expenses related to Phoenix which have a total cost greater than $200 in either tax year, signing the release will prevent them from seeking further reimbursement for those tax advisory services through any other means. This includes a grievance or the Phoenix general claims process.
PSAC is advising its Members with tax filing expenses related to Phoenix having a total cost greater than $200 in either tax year that they may wish to use the general claims process instead, in order to demonstrate that those expenses were justified and necessary because of Phoenix.