Podcast: Automatic Tax Filing - Will It Work?

Last week Taxpayers' Ombudsperson François Boileau  tabled his annual report:  In Pursuit of Better Service: Taxpayers Deserve More.  once again, it was nothing short of scathing, as CRA received its highest number of complaints in the last three years.  Calling our “completely nuts” Income Tax Act a potential barrier, he is nonetheless pushing for automatic tax filing as a potential solution.  A new episode of Real Tax News with Evelyn Jacks & Friends available next week, will feature guest Gillian Petit, Ph.D. - author of a great report, Welcome News for Lower-Income Canadians, but There’s More to Do - which takes a deeper dive.  Consider the following:

Most people hate paying taxes but not far behind is their dislike of paying for tax and other professional financial services. However, value propositions for clients can be increased when they understand how professional fees are being claimed to their advantage on their tax returns.

Even at the end of tax season, some last minute tax tips can help clients and their families win extra dollars this year – or possibly next.  There are some eyebrow-raising write-offs under the category of medical expenses for example, that might make a knowledgeable tax expert the most interesting person around the water fountain.

The 2015 Federal Budget introduced significant changes to Canadians’ finances.  The challenge now for most tax and financial professionals is deciphering these changes and putting them into action in a meaningful way for clients.

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to introduce Murray Leiter, who has recently updated the new edition of the Elements of Real Wealth Management course.

Tax breaks and economic incentives have been peppered throughout Canada’s pre-election budget document with savers, seniors and small business corporations emerging as big winners. 

Self-sufficiency in self-funding future retirements is clearly an issue and the big news coming out of this budget is the opportunity to do so.