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:

Knowing your residency status and tax filing obligations can save you from expensive penalties.

Taxing legal services does not interfere with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The eligibility of gifts to foreign charities have expanded in 2013.

Fraud in the marketplace in an unfortunate reality. Protect your clients' real weath by being diligent in mitigating negative factors.

RSP contributions are a great way to save for your retirement, but the trick is to use them correctly. Kevin Gebert, MFA designate and financial advisor, weighs in with his opinion.

You are in a relationship with the CRA, so you need to know some key parameters.