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:

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

Starting in May 2013, CRA will again begin its Processing Review Program, which initiates requests for supporting documentation for claims made on tax returns.

Expenses for the care of dependent children who are under the age of 16 (at any time of the year) or who are physically or mentally infirm may be claimed on your tax return.

Investment Advisors: Here's a great client gift for April – buy 3 books, get 1 free! Jacks on Tax will help your clients save time and money by understanding their returns and taking better control of their financial affairs. It’s a book for everyone because its premise is simple: a more informed taxpayer, working with a collaborative professional community, will get more out of the tax system now and in the future.

Working with Small Business Owners? Introduce them to the Basic Bookkeeping for Business course. Most family businesses involve the spouse or children in bookkeeping activities. Now they can increase confidence and understanding by enrolling family members in a certificate bookkeeping course. It helps the pros to use their billing time more effectively as well! Free trial available!

In a controversial budget, Manitoba raised its Provincial Sales Taxes by 1% to 8% effective July 1, 2013 over a “temporary” 10 year period, waiving the requirement to hold a referendum, citing reasons of financial urgency due to potential flooding.