Bill C-31: Royal Asset and New CRA Powers Could Come Soon

Changes are coming to the Income Tax Act and both you and your clients will all be affected with new tax risks including longer tax audits. Bill C-31, which passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 3 and is now at committee stage, contains elements of previous Federal Budgets that will expand the CRA’s compliance and enforcement powers. Here’s what you need to know and pass along to your clients:

Here’s a true-to-life case study: Let’s suppose that you, as a bookkeeping services professional, have a client named George, who is the owner-manager of a family-run restaurant. Working with George is his wife, brother, sister-in-law, a couple cousins and his teenaged daughter. While the business is going well, his marriage isn’t. 

Grant McPhail, CLU, CHFC, GBA: Wealth Advisor and proud grandpa

On June 16, the Auditor General rapped CRA’s knuckles, stating that their response to income tax appeals and objections is too slow. And since 65% of them are settled in favor of the taxpayer, the CRA needs to work harder at finding ways to solve issues before they go the appeals route.

Are you planning to sell a personal residence, such as your cottage, in 2017? If so, refresh your tax compliance requirements by making an appointment with a tax specialist before you sell. 

Summer is here and patio season is in full swing, but it’s the numbers, not the ambiance that ultimately tell the success story! If you have clients who own a restaurant, remind them that they need to take time to pay attention to the numbers side of the business and make sure that staffing up with temporary summer help includes some instruction on reporting their tips to CRA.

It seemed like such a simple question: Do you think Canadian provinces should raise the minimum wage to $15? But our June poll sparked a lively debate and more votes and comments than most. Over 500 of you weighed in and were closely divided on the topic, with 42% saying yes and 58% saying no.