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:

In a move towards eliminating paper cheques, businesses in Canada are now being asked to complete two functions through the Represent a Client portal. Businesses will now have the option of both pre-authorized debit and direct deposit for their dealings with CRA.

It’s Halloween week and Financial Literacy Month is just around the corner, right after the ghosts and goblins visit. Just in time too, because it turns out it’s not just your imagination: communications from CRA are somewhat ghoulish.

Is succession planning an emerging issue for you and your clients? Are heirs properly prepared to become responsible and confident Powers of Attorney and Executors?

Tax and financial advisors won’t want to miss the Distinguished Advisor Workshops November 3-6 in Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver respectively, when year end planning and business owner-manager transition is discussed in depth. 

Four main goals in enhancing financial literacy for seniors were announced on a beautiful fall day in Winnipeg last week by Minister of State Kevin Soreinson and Financial Literacy leader, Jane Rooney. 

In Gibson v. The Queen 2014 TCC 236, appellant Joan Gibson was forced to go through lengthy litigation, despite her severe fatigue syndrome to fight the tax man, but she prevailed.