Changes to Paper Filing Disempowering

Last tax season, only 7% of all Canadian tax filers filed on paper. The CRA is pushing for zero. It continues to steer the holdouts to digitized filing by adding lots of obstacles. Most recently, it is removing almost all the schedules from the tax return package it mails. This seems unfair to people who paper file because they can’t afford a computer and internet, distrust the security of online filing and those who are neither tax or computer literate. Here’s what they are up against:

Many Ontarians may already be enjoying their summer vacations in their home province, fully mindful of the fact that doing so, they are earning a refundable tax credit.  But, did you know that if you make the great decision to come to the DAC Acuity Conference, being held October 16 to 18 in beautiful Niagara Falls, you could also qualify for the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit if you linger before or after for some personal R & R?  Details follow:

Knowledge Bureau Report will be on a summer vacation next week, but Knowledge Bureau is open for your questions, registrations in courses and student support, as usual.  Here’s an opportunity to review your August summer school options and under your belt before the fall, with some new offerings from Knowledge Bureau:

Intended for successful business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals of all types, author Dean Kendall’s “Stop Paying Hidden Investment Fees” will provide a better understanding of the fees you pay, their impact on your goals and your options for pursuing a better course.  This book analyzes some common hidden investment fees and it goes on to explain their impact on a customer’s financial return.

Intaxication is defined as the euphoria taxpayers feel when they get their tax refunds, only to find their euphoria diminish when they realize it’s their very own money CRA has been holding onto.  This year, the government kept a new record amount: the average tax refund was $2,071. It’s hard-earned cash Canadians could be using throughout the year to fight inflation or invest.  Is there anything you can do about that?  Indeed there is, with the help of your Personal Tax Services Specialist.

Looking for extra money to fund rising costs?  The tax return is one such source, especially because it is possible to reach back and correct errors and omissions from the prior 10 years to generate a tax refund.  However, there are certain limitations when it comes to the deduction for CCA (capital cost allowances) and other permissive deductions. Notably, CRA has not changed its rules on this matter since 1984.   In this feature, Part 1, we’ll discuss how to adjust a return. Part 2 will discuss the specific rules concerning CCA.

The post-tax season often involves a specific type of “catch-up” for busy tax accounting offices:  filing returns for procrastinators and making adjustments for errors and omissions.  But this must be done carefully; especially because these adjustments can lead to a broader audit.  Further, there are special rules for claiming “permissive deductions” including CCA (Capital Cost Allowance).  That’s very important if the goal is to preserve tax reducers in the future or recover taxes paid in the past.