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.New Legislative Proposals: Charitable Donation Tax Credits for Trusts
Finance Canada recently released proposals to amend certain sections of the Income Tax Act (the Act) pertaining to the tax treatment of certain trusts, which only came into force on January 1, 2016. To the relief of many tax and legal practitioners, the proposals remedy some undesirable aspects of the amendments, especially as it relates to charitable giving.
Your Notice of Assessment: Don’t Misplace It
One document you must remember to keep track of after filing your tax return is your Notice of Assessment or Reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
RRSPs: Pay Attention to Leap Year & Earn Lucrative Refundable Tax Credits
Many people don’t understand one of the most fundamental reasons to file a tax return: claim lucrative refundable tax credits. It’s especially important for families that qualify for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, which is expected to be enhanced this July.
Tax Strategies: A Key Component in Your Clients’ Wealth Plan
Using comprehensive tax reduction strategies as a leading weapon in sustaining family wealth always makes sense, but never more than this year. In an investment climate in which there is very little certainty, it pays to look for winners we can count on: tax-efficient investments, for example.
Tax Tips: Employed Abroad? Your Tax Refund Could Be Bigger
Taxpayers who performed services outside Canada for more than six consecutive months during 2015, for either a qualifying Canadian employer or a Canadian-owned foreign affiliate, will qualify for a special tax credit.
Your Practice: Empathy is the Currency of Trust
Tax and financial advisors agree: more than ever, empathy is a key ingredient of successful advisor-client relationships. This was borne out in a presentation by Craig Dowden, Ph.D., at the recent Distinguished Advisor Conference. Registration is now available for this annual event, being held in San Diego, November 6 – 9, 2016.
