Canadian Startups Aren't Too Impressed with the Taxman

81% of small business owners gave the Canada Revenue Agency a grade of C or lower in a recent survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business as part of its launch of its third annual Red Tape Awareness Week. Citing the CRA's lack of respect, among other factors, 44% gave the CRA a grade of C, 29% gave a grade of D, and 8% gave a grade of F.

In fact, just 13% of SMB owners graded the CRA a B, and a paltry 1% handed the CRA an A. No scholarships for the taxman! 36% of Canadian entrepreneurs feel that the Canada Revenue Agency does not treat small businesses with respect and 57% feel intimidated by the taxman, two driving factors behind the low scores.

2012 marks the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' third year of Red Tape Awareness Week. CFIB's campaign aims to take scissors to the government's "unnecessary paperwork, regulations, and processes that slow down decision making and action."