2026-06-09
What happens if I owe tax debt to the CRA?
It can be overwhelming to find out you owe the CRA a large amount of money. These debt relief options can help you regain control of your finances.
2010-04-13
Hello, If a creditor wishes to garnish your wages for a debt owing, they must first make an application to the court to obtain a judgment. You would be served with a notice of this proceeding and have an opportunity to present your side of the situation. For example, perhaps you would argue that the amount owing is lower than what is being reported. Once the court has determined the amount owing, a judgment is issued and the creditor may use this judgment to garnish your wages and/or bank account. In some cases, a creditor may choose to register a caveat on your property if applicable. There are a few situations in which a garnishment may occur without a judgment being issued by the court. For example, Canada Revenue Agency may garnishee wages without having to go through the court process. Another situation would be where an individual has given a creditor an assignment of wages. Section 5 of Manitoba’s Garnishment Act states that 70% of wages are exempt from seizure or attachment under a garnishing order issued by the court. On this basis it would follow that approximately 30% of your wages can be garnished. There are some additional provisions to be considered depending on whether or not you have any dependants. In addition, there are some special considerations given with respect to maintenance and support orders. Brad Milne, CIRP Trustee in Bankruptcy Brandon, Manitoba
2026-06-09
It can be overwhelming to find out you owe the CRA a large amount of money. These debt relief options can help you regain control of your finances.
2026-06-09
Getting a call from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can be unsettling. If the call is about collections, the stress level often jumps immediately. You may worry about frozen accounts, garnishments, or losing control of your financial situation.