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:

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Mark your calendar for 17 big tax and benefit milestones in April! Prescribed interest rates from the Bank of Canada remain the same this quarter, but new rates for OAS are in effect. Check out the details below:

Two provincial budgets were released on either side of the Easter Weekend:  Ontario’s on March 26 and Manitoba’s on April 2, and their approaches were entirely different: one reflecting few taxes changes (but a promise of tax reform!); the other a plethora of broad-reaching new ones that will raise taxes and increase complexity.  Here’s what you need to know:

As Canadians scramble to meet their April 30 tax filing obligations, the federal government plans to release its next budget on April 16.  Expect more red ink as debt services costs skyrocket. According to a new study by the Fraser Institute, the government debt burden for families across Canada has been growing significantly, it’s making us poorer.  The numbers tell the story, below, and underscore the need for a fiscal focus on our future prosperity.  

The health indicators for small business in Canada show weaknesses that should be of concern to all Finance Ministers who face their own challenges in offsetting growing deficits and debt service costs with economic growth.   From new bankruptcy statistics (see below) to CFIB’s Business Barometer for March, the business outlook, at least in the short term is somber.  In addition, 77% of advisors who answered Knowledge Bureau Report’s March poll, believe the recent CEBA deadline will push more into bankruptcy.  

In March, we asked our Knowledge Bureau Report readers to share why they subscribe to our weekly breaking tax and financial news. The feedback is in:  not only is it an invaluable resource for tax, accounting and financial professionals in their own practice, it helps create more informed and empowered taxpayers. Check out their comments, and we invite you to take this opportunity to share the subscription with your clients.