Podcast: Automatic Tax Filing - Will It Work?

Last week Taxpayers' Ombudsperson François Boileau  tabled his annual report:  In Pursuit of Better Service: Taxpayers Deserve More.  once again, it was nothing short of scathing, as CRA received its highest number of complaints in the last three years.  Calling our “completely nuts” Income Tax Act a potential barrier, he is nonetheless pushing for automatic tax filing as a potential solution.  A new episode of Real Tax News with Evelyn Jacks & Friends available next week, will feature guest Gillian Petit, Ph.D. - author of a great report, Welcome News for Lower-Income Canadians, but There’s More to Do - which takes a deeper dive.  Consider the following:

Part of the Bank of Canada’s Spring Review, released on May 16, included an article titled “Explaining Canada’s Regional Migration Patterns”, which provides interesting data on the effect of demographic migration on economic policies in Canada. It also provides, therefore, important information for professional advisors who wish to more strategically define growth in their practices over the long run.

Unhappy with your dealings with a CRA Auditor? The Taxpayers' Ombudsman can help when the relationship is fraught with communications issues between the taxpayer and the auditor.

If there was one insight I gained as I worked on the Federal Task Force for Financial Literacy is that more than any other single issue, challenges of financial literacy affect every Canadian and bind us together in our mutual need for financial education.

Up until 2009, CRA took the position that where you accumulate frequent flyer points while travelling on employer-paid business trips and used them to obtain air travel or other benefits for personal use by you or your family, the fair market value of such air travel or other benefits must be included in your income.

The March 21, 2013 budget closed several loopholes including synthetic dispositions. Knowledge Bureau Report has been examining examples of arrangements that are now closed and their financial outcomes. Last issue we examined the forward sale of securities; in this issue, we provide an example involving the forward sale of other assets.

Health care and home care is expensive to governments and can leave gaps in services that you may find unacceptable for your loved one.