Bill C-31: Royal Asset and New CRA Powers Could Come Soon

Changes are coming to the Income Tax Act and both you and your clients will all be affected with new tax risks including longer tax audits. Bill C-31, which passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 3 and is now at committee stage, contains elements of previous Federal Budgets that will expand the CRA’s compliance and enforcement powers. Here’s what you need to know and pass along to your clients:

Although the new T1 Return and Schedules will not be available from the CRA website until January 7, the forms went to print on December 16 and are available in EverGreen Explanatory Notes right now.

'Tis the season and Canada Revenue Agency will once again send out an estimated 33,000 letters to Canadian taxpayers asking them to “reconsider” their prior year’s personal tax return. 

The new T1 return includes a space to send the taxpayer’s email address to CRA.

Recently, the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) levied interest and gross negligence penalties against five taxpayers who were shareholders and operators of a family restaurant.

This is a continuation from last week's article, "Are You Planning Retirement for your Clients?"

Are you spending enough time consulting with your clients who are unincorporated Farmers and Fishers?