EI Refunds or Employment Insurance Refunds Frequently Asked Questions

Questions commonly asked?

If our company applies for these refunds then wouldn’t that mean that the employees involved could not claim benefits if they were fired or laid off etc.?
If they were fired or laid off they could not claim anyway as being family members they would most likely not have been insurable

How far can we go back and claim refunds for?
We can go back and claim refunds for the previous 3 years as well as the current year. Even though the company and the respective employees may have been paying for several years there is a 3 year limit. So therefore, it is advisable to put in a claim within the current year to avoid further losing the possibility of claiming past years.

Is the process difficult and/or time consuming?
Absolutely not!! If your company is anywhere in Southern Ontario including the GTA and in some cities in Northern Ontario, we will come to your premises and do the paperwork for you. If your company is out of province the process can easily be completed by fax and email.
We file the claim and application for ruling for you. We advise you on how to respond to inquiries from CRA regarding the application process. We provide support every step of the way.

How long has your company been doing this?
We have been filing these claims for clients for the past 20 years with exceptional success.

If this process is so easy then why can’t I just have my Accountant do this?
Everything is easy once you know how to do it. We have reached our level of knowledge in this area through 20 years of filing these types of claims. We have had to refile claims or file appeals for applications that were not done in exactly the manner that is required by the EI Rulings Dept. of CRA and were as a result turned down. The procedure is not just filling out forms. It necessitates knowing precisely the approach that is required and explaining the rationale for applying for the specific ruling in question. If done incorrectly the ruling is denied and it is an uphill battle to get it rectified.

How does your company base its fee?
We charge strictly on a contingency basis. And you only pay our fee when you get your refund. If for some reason there is no refund, then there is no fee.

How do you differ from the competition?
We do not charge for years into the future as our main competitor does. Our fee is based solely on the current and prior years. Also, as noted above, if your company is situated within most areas within Ontario we will visit you and complete the paperwork on site. We don’t mail out packages unless you are located outside of an area that we can service personally.

Does filing for this type of claim cause us to “rock any boats” with CRA?
Absolutely not!! If family members are paying EI in error the only way to recoup the premiums and save future monies is by filing for the refund. You are not doing anything to jeapordize your position with CRA by filing for these refunds.

Why not simply just keep on paying the EI? How much can we save by doing this.?
You would be saving thousands of dollars by filing for the refund. You would be getting a substantial refund now and save indefinitely into the future. It is a double-edged sword. Why keep paying into something that you could not possibly benefit from. Also the money is better spent by putting it into personal retirement vehicles such as RRSPs.