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. 

It is the time of year for us to reflect on how lucky we are, despite the incredible challenges of 2020.  We are mindful of our good health and the privilege to continue to serve, while others have suffered the terrible losses that have come with the reality of the pandemic. For these reasons, we will be making a donation to our local food bank and our local animal shelter and we hope that you will consider doing the same.

A new Statistics Canada Report, the “2019 Survey of Financial Security” was released on December 22 and provides some important insights to what Canadians need to do to build financial security, especially when recovering from these uncertain times. What secrets were revealed? Here’s a hint: it relates to the holding of specific assets that drive wealth accumulation.

A new study on the savings habits of Canadians in their Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) conducted by the Bank of Montreal, sheds light on many missed opportunities. But it’s not too late for investors to catch up and thrive with this completely tax-free opportunity.

There are some important deadlines to remember before this tax year comes to a close. Of course, there are the usual suspects, including the cut-off to make year-end donations and receive a donation receipt; the instalment payment deadline for farmers and fishers; and a new one this year for CERB repayment. It’s an issue that has already caused many Canadians stress and confusion. Here’s a summary of salient tax deadlines remaining for 2020:

Tax and financial advisor,  now is the time to help your clients set their new year goals: and here’s a 2021 tax filing and investment planning milestones checklist to help with the process.

Now is the right time to plan your professional development opportunities and earn CE credits in 2021. Explore your options with our new interactive Calendar of Educational Events 2021 and reserve your time to get your world class financial education in place.