Bill C-31: Royal Asset and New CRA Powers Could Come Soon

Changes are coming to the Income Tax Act and both you and your clients will all be affected with new tax risks including longer tax audits. Bill C-31, which passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 3 and is now at committee stage, contains elements of previous Federal Budgets that will expand the CRA’s compliance and enforcement powers. Here’s what you need to know and pass along to your clients:

The Distinguished Advisor Workshops, fall edition, begin Thursday in Vancouver—a great way to earn 10 CE credits and officially start adding value to your client relationships with sound year-end tax planning opportunities. This is your chance to listen to top industry experts, learn from peer-to-peer interactions, and ask your most burning questions.

Are you being proactive in giving advice to your business-owner clients? Or is your work simply reactive to the transactions you are recording? Knowledge Bureau’s Managerial Accounting course trains advisors to better assist business owners with decision-making by being strategic and forthcoming with an interpretation of the information in the financial statements.

"In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision." Dalai Lama

Did you know that only 23% of Canadians contribute to their RRSPs, and their median contribution is only $3000, according to the most recent stats for the 2014 year? That’s a shame for a number of reasons.

Do you understand the Canadian reporting requirements that apply when assets are held offshore? Year-end tax planning includes the assembly of information to stay onside with tax authorities. The filing of form T1135 Foreign Income Verification is required by April 30 in the cases discussed below. Failure to file will attract expensive penalties.

Budget 2016 eliminated the proposed change to exempt from capital gains tax, the gains made on the disposition of real estate or private corporation shares when the proceeds are donated to charity.