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:

Indexation of tax brackets and personal amounts for 2016 is determined by the average CPI numbers for the twelve months ending September 2015 (which were announced last week).

It appears unlikely that investors who have already maximized their TFSA contribution room to $10,000 in 2015 will be asked to remove the extra $4500, should the new government make good on their pledge to repeal the $10,000 maximum contribution in favor of a $5500 annual amount.

We are very happy and relieved to provide you with this update on DAC 2015 in Puerto Vallarta: the Westin Resort and Spa has reported there are no damages; staff have returned as well, reporting no damages to their homes; and everything appears to be operating as normal—including the sunshine—after the tremendous scare from Hurricane Patricia on Friday.

Chenine Humphrey, owner of Paper Trail Bookkeeping and Business Centre, is on the move! In the process of moving her existing bookkeeping practice to a commercial location where she will be launching an innovative new service to help bookkeepers.

There is still time to register for the Fall Distinguished Advisor Workshop (DAW) October 29 in Calgary and November 2 in Toronto. Be the first in your professional community to interpret the changes anticipated under the new Liberal government and reference the 2016 indexation in true-to-life scenarios.

The new Liberal government outlined several significant tax changes in their election platform. If they make good on those election promises in tax year 2016 and beyond, millions of Canadians will be affected financially; some will be winners and some will be losers.