When a corporation dissolves, any remaining overpayments or credits generally become the property of the Crown. However, the corporation may qualify for a refund by cheque if the dissolution meets certain criteria.

Voluntary dissolution

If your corporation was voluntarily dissolved, you can request that a designated individual gets a refund of an overpayment or credit. You can make this request if all program accounts are in good standing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

If you want the CRA to review your refund request, you must send us a signed Form RC278, Release and Indemnification, and supporting documents.

If your corporation has a case number, you can send us Form RC278 and the supporting documents by using My Business Account, going to the Correspondence menu, and selecting “Submit documents.” Otherwise, you can send us the form and documents by electronic fax or mail.

The form and documents must include:

• a copy of the certificate of dissolution from the appropriate government entity
• a list of the shareholders’ names, addresses, and phone numbers
• a list of the number of shares each shareholder owned at the time of dissolution
• a document that all shareholders signed appointing the legal representative (if applicable)
• a document (for example, letter or minutes) that all shareholders signed allowing the CRA to send the refund to the designated individual, or a signed power of attorney allowing the CRA to issue the refund to a trustee or a legal representative
• a completed and signed Form RC278 for each program account with an available credit for the CRA to disburse

If you already gave the CRA this information for a refund on another program account, you need to send us Form RC278 only.

Involuntary dissolution

If your corporation was involuntarily dissolved, it cannot get a refund for an overpayment or credit. To get a refund, first revive the corporation. For information on how to revive a corporation, reach out to the government department that handled the incorporation.

Tax centre contact information

You can send documents to the attention of Business Accounting at one of the following tax centres:

Prince Edward Island Tax Centre
Business Accounting Section
275 Pope Road
Summerside PE C1N 6A2
E-fax: 418-566-4863

Sudbury Tax Centre
Business Accounting Section
Post Office Box 20000, Station A
Sudbury ON P3A 5C1
E-fax: 418-566-6936

Winnipeg Tax Centre
Business Accounting Section
Post Office Box 14000, Station Main
Winnipeg MB R3C 3M2
E-fax: 418-556-1874