Wildfires: Apply for Taxpayer Relief Provisions

It may not be the first concern, but Canadians affected by wildfires may worry at some point about the tax consequences of lost records or missed filing deadlines – the next one on June 16 for those filing T1 returns with proprietorship income. Fortunately, the CRA offers Taxpayer Relief Provisions when there are circumstances beyond a taxpayer’s control, including natural disasters, serious illness or death in the family, or errors made by the CRA, which may trigger penalties and interest due to late or incomplete tax filings. Here’s what you need to know.

Were you born before July 1, 1947?  It’s an important question to ask all your senior clients because they are in for a raise in their OAS benefits this year.  The government announced an increase to Old Age Security by 10% for seniors over age 74, starting with the July 2022 benefit year.  Eligibility is based on several criteria including individual net income on the 2021 tax return.   Here are some additional details about the program, excerpted from Knowledge Bureau’s Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Course, now available.

The latest tax season filing statistics from CRA show that tax refunds have risen even higher now that more Canadians have filed. Out of the 27.1 million filed, 15,345, 235 refunds were issued, averaging $1,994. That’s a lot of taxpayer money being held onto by the CRA, and an important opportunity for tax professionals to focus on tax-efficiency to reduce these withholdings now!  Further, only 7% of returns are now being filed on paper.  Here are more interesting tax facts:

The 2022 Federal Budget announced that, beginning in 2022, eligible workers will be able to deduct up to $4,000 per year for eligible expenses.  This provision is part of the April 7, 2022 Federal Budget Bill C-19, tabled on April 28.   Are you speaking to your clients about saving their receipts now?  Here are details you need to share:

Finally – it’s live and in person – Canada’s Top Edutainment Event!  Virtual DAC has been fun, but we’re so excited to be seeing you again October 16-18 in Niagara Falls for this year’s DAC Acuity Conference! Past attendees know that DAC is an edutainment experience like no other, so we’re kicking it off early.  Join us for the weekend for wine tasting tours, golf and world class dining amongst other great events before the conference starts.  Sign up now for best registration, flight and hotel rates and then experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World -  all of Niagara’s hidden gems together with new networking opportunities with your peers.  Here’s how:

You don’t want to miss the Ottawa Bureau Chief of the Globe and Mail, Mr. Robert Fife at the DAC Conference October 16-18 in Niagara Falls. Robert will be speaking to the topic: “Help Wanted – Transformative Leadership for Canada”. Enrol by May 31 for early-bird tuition savings, to experience the thought leadership of Robert Fife and more  - live and in person!

Did you miss the May 18 Virtual CE Summit? You can still sign up for the Advanced Retirement & Estate Planning Update Course and access the live speaker recordings from the event plus save $200 until May 31.  Plus, don’t miss our next CE Summits this fall. Get the best pricing of the year: tuition pricing as low as $295 per event when you enrol to attend 4 events!  Get low rates on Team Member enrollments too!