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. 

Avoiding red flags with CRA is always a good idea, but for many small business owners, the shareholder’s loan account presents such a threat.  Here’s how a taxpayer can get into tax audit trouble:

Knowledge Bureau Report asked Marco Iampieri, Of Iampieri Law Professional Corporation, to review a new paper on small business tax competitiveness by Dr. Jack Mintz, who spoke recently at the Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC), Patrick Smith and V. Balaji Venkatachalam. It’s an important paper for its time, as the small business in Canada attempts to leave the pandemic behind in 2021.

New Course:  Privacy Principles in Business Privacy of confidential financial data is an important issue to your clients and no wonder: Statistics Canada says that about 57% of Canadians online reported experiencing a security incident in 2018.  Do you know how to avoid privacy risks that may arise in your business? 

How much is enough?  Winning Advisors: Grit, Determination and Exhilaration Tony Mahabir, Tony Mahabir, CEO Canfin Financial Group of Companies,  introduced delegates to the Japanese concept of Ikigai which focuses on Life Purpose at the DAC 2021. It all began with a thought-provoking message:  “Are we too concerned with earning money and not living the good life?” he asked.

Evelyn Jacks was pleased to introduce Lewis Kent, this year’s New Advisor Award winner at the Distinguished Advisor Conference 2021. His incredible and inspirational story, below.  And yes, the search is on for the 2022 winner, who will win a free registration and main stage speaking opportunity at DAC 2022 in Niagara Falls October 16-18.  Check out Lewis’ amazing story:

Most advisors know that everyone should have a will and power of attorneys for property and health. But should everyone have a trust as part of their estate plans?  According to best-selling author Christine Van Cauwenberghe who is also VP, Tax and Estate Planning at IG, trusts are not for everyone.