Trade Wars: Why Income Tax Filings Matter More Now

It’s hard not to get caught up in the trade wars saga, and of course it has serious economic repercussions. In times like these, our tax system can help. The federal government has indicated three pillars of support will be enacted, details of which are to come shortly:

Federal Auditor General Michael Ferguson released his Spring Report on April 30th, including an audit on the Canada Revenue Agency’s struggling effort to collect tax debts owed by Canadians in the last few years. How bad has their performance been?

In the House of Commons last week, Ministers Flaherty and Menzies tabled a detailed Notice of Ways and Means Motion in order to begin the implementation of tax measures initially introduced in the March 21, 2013 Federal Budget.

In a narrow vote, 54% of Knowledge Bureau Report readers do not agree with the new budget proposal that allows CRA to pay a taxable finder’s fee for information on international tax cheats.

A decision released recently from the Tax Court of Canada will be of interest to those seeking to apply for the new housing rebate for a principal residence. Wong v. The Queen, 2013 TCC 23 featured an interesting analysis of subsection 254(2)(b) of the Income Tax Act (the Act) as well as actions from the appellants that is worthy of note.

The Bank of Canada unveiled the latest and last of the new redesigned polymer bank notes this week. The $5 and $10 polymer notes will complete the series that began with the $100 note in November 2011.

Employees who leave their jobs and receive retiring allowances should include an RRSP strategy in their planning to keep more of that money.