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:

A new maximum non-refundable tax credit of $13,750 per eligible employee is available starting in 2019 for Qualified Canadian Journalism Organizations. The 25% refundable credit will apply to qualifying labour expenditures of up to $55,000 if they are incurred in the tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The trouble is that there is no line on the tax forms for the credit and the required schedules won’t be available until May. Still, the claim must be done on time. Here’s what you need to know:

It's your last chance to take advantage of these special offers to meet your 2020 professional development goals before month-end. Get new credentials or train your team, by taking any two online courses from Knowledge Bureau for only $995. It’s a savings of $595. Plus, for a limited time, you can get more study time for half price. Act by January 31!

You could come as our guest to DAC Acuity 2020 in Niagara Falls October 28-30. All Knowledge Bureau graduates who completed an online program as a designate in 2019 or by January 30, 2020 can enter our draw to win one free enrolment to DAC Acuity 2020. But act fast! Entries will only be accepted through tomorrow.

The Sussexes and their quest for financial independence has been all over the global news.  Their dilemma is not that uncommon to many couples their age.  What does it take to embrace financial independence and why is that so critical in an individual’s true evolution into adulthood?  It’s a question many financial advisors may find themselves discussing with affluent families across Canada.

Canadians have trouble understanding a whole gambit of financial concepts like inflation, interest rates, credit reports, stocks, risk, debt and loans, according to the 2014 Canadian Financial Capability Survey*. In the most recent edition of survey, released November 26, 2019, there are emerging signs of financial stress for some Canadians, especially those who don’t have a budget or financial plan. This week, KBR starts a new series on financial basics to help.

Tax season 2020 will officially begin on February 24, when the CRA opens the gates for electronic filing. Unfortunately, some taxpayers will find themselves with an unwanted tax bill this tax season, whether through an unintentional miscalculation on their original return or because they are misrepresenting themselves on their claims. In either case, there can be expensive consequences. The Voluntary Disclosure Program can help.