Changes to Paper Filing Disempowering

Last tax season, only 7% of all Canadian tax filers filed on paper. The CRA is pushing for zero. It continues to steer the holdouts to digitized filing by adding lots of obstacles. Most recently, it is removing almost all the schedules from the tax return package it mails. This seems unfair to people who paper file because they can’t afford a computer and internet, distrust the security of online filing and those who are neither tax or computer literate. Here’s what they are up against:

In the last election, the Liberal government promised that, after renovations to a building rent increases fall outside of a normal change in rent or are excessive in their view, they will implement a surtax on landlords.  It is interesting to think about the repercussions of such a proposed policy and to reflect on whether this the economic outcome that is truly desired, when our collective challenge is to invest in improving buildings for reasons of climate change and health care concerns?  Here are the details.

This doesn’t happen very often, but the result of our January Poll question which asked: “Do you think personal/corporate tax reforms can spur economic growth in Canada in 2022 and beyond?” were split right down the middle with 50% saying “yes” and 50% saying “no”. Why the mixed results from Canadian tax and financial professionals? Here’s what you had to say:

Statistics Canada has reported Canada’s largest drop in life expectancy since 1921 – a seven-month decrease.  It is an eye-opening study that brings to mind the importance of new conversations about medical,  disability and estate planning during the busy tax season, especially for younger people. 

The annual inflation rate rose to 4.8% in December 2021, yet many Canadians who have never experienced inflation in their lifetime, may wonder, so what? Over time, as one soon notices, inflation can significantly reduce the real value of Canadian savings and purchasing power.  When the computation of taxes or benefits are not fully indexed to inflation, there is also a real, but hidden, inflation tax.  Here’s how to plan for it:

Ontario residents reconsidering international travel plans this year due to the pandemic now have even more incentive to explore destinations closer to home – specifically within the province – thanks to the newly introduced refundable Staycation Tax Credit. The tax credit reimburses 20% of eligible accommodation costs, up to a maximum dollar amount.  It’s a tax incentive other provinces may want to pick up on to spur on home-based tourism. Here are the details:

One of the many changes for this tax season 2022, is that 2021 tax refunds will be lower for thousands of taxpayers that qualified for the “Climate Action Incentive” (CAI). Prior to 2021, the CAI was a refundable tax credit similar to the Canada Workers Benefit or the Canada Training Credit. In all these cases, these credits constituted a tax-free cash benefit that either increased a tax refund or reduced the net tax liability for taxpayers.