This Month’s Poll

Do you agree that public trustees, guardians and departments supporting Indigenous Services should be able to certify impairments for the Disability Tax Credit?

If you are a small business owner taking dividends out of your business, the federal budget has handed you a good news/bad news story.

The March 21, 2013 federal budget made two significant personal tax changes for younger taxpayers: the adoption expense tax credit has been expanded and for new charitable givers, there is a super credit, plus there is a new penalty for schemers.

After meeting with private sector forecasters, Finance Minister Flaherty gave several early clues to what might be contained in the federal budget, expected soon, including increased funding to catch tax cheats and additional economic stimulus to keep people employed.

March is fraud prevention month, and therefore it makes sense – in the heart of the tax filing season – to know which is legal and which is a criminal offence: tax evasion or tax avoidance?

You haven't done your taxes for a year or two or more – yikes – now what? Bottom line: get on it, quickly, and more important, start a relationship with a qualified tax professional who has taken a recent audit defense course. 

Roller Hire v The Queen (2013). A common battle in the Tax Court of Canada is one between the designation of employee or independent contractor. The case of Roller Hire is a recent example, and Judge Hogan made some interesting comments for the Court.