CRA Data Breeches Put Taxpayer Information at Risk

An important deadline is coming up, around the same time that Canadians get ready to file their 2026 tax returns at the start of tax season 2027. Since 2020, more than 42,000 data breaches have occurred at the CRA. A class action lawsuit was launched in 2020 and a $8.76 million settlement was reached.  Eligible Canadians affected by these security incidents can now submit claims through the KPMG Claims Portal until February 3, 2027.  

Reserve your spot now for the September Retirement and Estate Planning Bootcamp. This must-attend event will provide you with the best tools to preserve, grow, and transition wealth tax-efficiently for your clients and to the next generation.

Currently the Income Tax Act (the Act) ensures disclosure of taxpayer information by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) officials is specifically prohibited unless in relation to a criminal investigation or in emergency circumstances.

A recent decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court has held that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) owes taxpayers a duty of care; this new finding means that taxpayers can now sue the CRA for negligence. 

Discovery: the process of requesting and receiving relevant documents from the other side is one of the most important stages of any litigation. When the other party is the Minister of National Revenue (the Minister) the discovery stage can seem like a David vs. Goliath type struggle.

Lots of great material has been released lately about global and Canadian wealth trends. Three works come to mind as must-reads...

Steve currently makes $84,000 in his small unincorporated business in BC; he wants to pay his new wife Carin half this amount, as they work together in the business. How much will the family save on taxes if they split income?