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. 

Do you understand the Canadian reporting requirements that apply when assets are held offshore? Year-end tax planning includes the assembly of information to stay onside with tax authorities. The filing of form T1135 Foreign Income Verification is required by April 30 in the cases discussed below. Failure to file will attract expensive penalties.

Budget 2016 eliminated the proposed change to exempt from capital gains tax, the gains made on the disposition of real estate or private corporation shares when the proceeds are donated to charity.

Top guns know. . .be on the ground with DAC delegates on the eve of the American election and hear expert commentary about the fallout of this controversial and exceptional time.  It’s not too late to join close to 200 delegates in San Diego Nov 6 – 9; there are a few spots left.

Register by October 21 for early bird rates for Distinguished Advisor Workshops – fall edition.  October marks the official start of “year-end tax planning season,” and this year there are lots of planning concerns for business owner-managers, real estate owners and succession planning. Top industry experts will enlighten you, so you can add value to your client relationships.

Death is never timely, yet it comes to at least 1% of the population each year. Brushing up on filing requirements and planning opportunities in the year of death can save families thousands of dollars. Now is a great time to take Knowledge Bureau’s Final Returns on Death of a Taxpayer course so you can plan the after-tax consequences of deemed disposition of assets at death for your clients and their heirs.

"I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing toward being a champion." Billie Jean King