Time’s Up: CRA’s 100 Day Mandate for Improvement

After years of frustration on the part of tax professionals and taxpayers alike, the Finance Minister ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to clean up its act in 100 days. Specifically, the improvement plan was to run from September 2 through December 11. Finance Minister and Minister of National Revenue, Francoise-Phillippe Champagne instructed CRA to fix “unacceptable wait times and service delays.” Time’s up this week and CRA has released an update on progress. What gets measured, gets done. Let’s see what CRA’s metrics show. 

As Canadian businesses prepare for another demanding tax season, leaders are facing a familiar challenge: sourcing skilled, confident staff who can handle increasingly complex personal and corporate tax filings. Whether you employ seasonal rookies, returning preparers, or full-time financial specialists, the need for structured, up-to-date tax training has never been higher, and there are some important educational opportunities coming up from Knowledge Bureau.

“Do you believe the November 4 Federal Budget addressed the key financial issues your clients need to see from their Finance Department and the CRA?”  That’s the question we asked Knowledge Bureau Report readers last month.   Over 86% of the respondents said the government got it wrong.    Some comments about what was missing below.  Also, now’s the time to weigh in on the final poll question for 2025. 

Available Tomorrow!  The Special Report on the 2025 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors (DAC) captures the key learning, insights, and highlights from the 2025 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors in Puerto Vallarta. The reviews from delegates, like Jane’s below,  were amazing and so were the pictures, the gorgeous vistas and above all, the “A” game the outstanding speakers brought to their current and relevant topics!

It costs a lot more to go to work these days.  Should the Canada Employment Credit of $1501 for 2026 be raised higher to account for this?

A portion of fuel charge proceeds from the price on pollution was promised to eligible small and medium-sized businesses via the Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses (CCRSB).  Now, the final payments for the 2024-2025 year will be coming before the end of 2025, in designated provinces. That announcement was made on November 14. Here’s what to expect:

Family businesses are at the heart of Canada’s economy, yet most won’t survive beyond the first or second generation: 70% of wealthy clients will lose their wealth in the first generation that inherits. Worse by the third generation, 90% of it will be gone.  When they fail, the impact extends far beyond the owners—employees, communities, and local economies all feel the loss. That’s why now is an ideal time to build your expertise in this area.  The good news:  you can learn more and earn CE Credentials with our limited-time 50% off Black Friday offer on the Advising Family Business course.