Time’s Up: CRA’s 100 Day Mandate for Improvement

After years of frustration on the part of tax professionals and taxpayers alike, the Finance Minister ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to clean up its act in 100 days. Specifically, the improvement plan was to run from September 2 through December 11. Finance Minister and Minister of National Revenue, Francoise-Phillippe Champagne instructed CRA to fix “unacceptable wait times and service delays.” Time’s up this week and CRA has released an update on progress. What gets measured, gets done. Let’s see what CRA’s metrics show. 

CRA is hoping that two million taxpayers will opt to use their new “SimpleFile” services - by phone, by mail or digitally – to have their tax returns filed “automatically by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The goals is to help more vulnerable people receive access to over $3 Billion in tax credits and benefits. Unfortunately, however, using the system is anything but simple. It may in fact be a very stressful and frustrating exercise. However, CRA believes that will improve exponentially. Check out what’s to know about SimpleFile:

The one thing we must all pay for in advance is our retirement. It’s a consistent message from tax and financial professionals to clients of all ages. Yet, despite all of the advice, millions of Canadians are ill prepared for the years when their ability to earn income, actively, ends. The trick is to start early and put away a little, regularly. That’s why it’s important to engage Gen Y and Z in future planning conversations. How to do it? Show them the Math!

Two pieces of good news for the last quarter of 2025: seniors will get a small raise, but prescribed interest rates at CRA will stay steady after last quarter’s drop in rates. Here’s what you need to integrate into your year end planning activities.

Stand Apart! Enrol now for your one stop, year round tax updating solution.  Knowledge Bureau’s Live Virtual CE Summits for 2025-2026 start the day after the November 4 federal budget.  In a series of four full day events you and your team will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply tax preparation and planning expertise to solve tax compliance issues for clients.  It’s the pre-eminent tax training choice for Canada’s Tax Preparers and Financial Advisors.

Financial professionals and thought leaders are gathering for a compelling Meeting of the Minds session tomorrow: “ROI or ROL: Redefining What Real Wealth Means to You.” This complimentary, one-hour virtual event explores a powerful shift in wealth management — move beyond Return on Investment (ROI) towards Financial Peace of Mind – a Return on Life. It’s about aligning financial strategies with purpose and helping clients achieve true peace of mind.

The 2025 Acuity Conference is proud to feature keynote speaker Kim G.C. Moody FCPA, FCA, TEP, FDFS™.   In his session, “Having a Leadership Mindset”, Kim will share why professionals must think beyond technical expertise to lead with vision, courage, and purpose.  See the full agenda and register by the September 30 early-bird deadline on the official conference site!