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:

The Tax Court of Canada (TCC) recently had to decide whether a taxpayer who attended a “university outside Canada” qualified to claim the tuition fee tax credit, under paragraph 118.5(1)(b) of the Income Tax Act (the Act).

As provinces in Canada attempt to add surtaxes to top earners in Canada, the most recent being Ontario in its defeated May 1 budget, a debate on whether top incomes should be subject to more tax continues. 

Don't miss the one-day May Distinguished Advisor Workshop in a city near you May 21-June 3. The theme is CHANGE...change in relations with CRA and change within the family as clients copy with life transitions. How can you be the best advocate and steward for your client? Earn 10 CE/CPD credits – register today!

Evelyn Jacks will kick off the Distinguished Advisor Workshops next week by helping tax and wealth advisors prepare their clients for recent budget changes and global wealth management trends that will affect planning in 2014-2015. 

John Poyser will challenge professional advisors to open their dissenting issues – with CRA, within family wealth discussions, and when preparing the transition of cottage and business assets to the next generation in a compelling program of tips and traps all tax and wealth advisors need to be aware of.

Tax audit season has begun and you need to be prepared to represent your clients with competence, confidence and a winning attitude by knowing what will be audited, what can be defended, and how to astutely position your advocacy for your client’s best after-tax position.