News Room

Wildfires: Apply for Taxpayer Relief Provisions

It may not be the first concern, but Canadians affected by wildfires may worry at some point about the tax consequences of lost records or missed filing deadlines – the next one on June 16 for those filing T1 returns with proprietorship income. Fortunately, the CRA offers Taxpayer Relief Provisions when there are circumstances beyond a taxpayer’s control, including natural disasters, serious illness or death in the family, or errors made by the CRA, which may trigger penalties and interest due to late or incomplete tax filings. Here’s what you need to know.

CRA Letter to CBC: Turn Over Names

On April 12, 2013, Andrew Treusch, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wrote a letter to Mr. Hubert Lacroix, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), in regards to the international tax non-compliance information leaks that the KBR described last week.

New Oversight of Banking Complaints Introduced

On April 10, 2013, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced that new measures were being implemented to protect banking customers in Canada and the new rules will come into force soon: on September 2, 2013.

Evelyn Jacks: A Slippery Slope – Should We Mess with Canadians’ High Voluntary Tax Compliance Rate?

In Canada, we have a tax system based on self-assessment and voluntary compliance. It works extremely well, considering how complex the topic is, with the overwhelming majority of individuals and corporations meeting their obligations on time.

Pre-Consultation Brush Up on Trust Rules

The March 21, 2013 Budget is proposing major changes to the taxation of trusts in Canada, which will have significant family succession planning implications. Here in the first of two articles, Greer Jacks reviews existing rules, which every tax and financial professional may wish to be aware of before the rules are changed in order to participate in fruitful consultations on the matter.

You Can Claim Bus Passes and Other Public Transit Costs

Riding the bus or subway? Remind all family members to keep receipts because you may be able to make a claim on your tax return for the costs. 

BC Residents Will See Their GST Credit Cheques Reduced as of April 2013

As a result of reverting from the HST back to the GST and PST system in BC, the provincial HST Credit has been abolished.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Are your clients owed money by CRA? As of March 31, 2025, the CRA holds about 10.2 million uncashed cheques totalling $1.7 billion. In your view, why is this happening?

  • Yes
    7 votes
    50%
  • No
    7 votes
    50%