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:

The stellar performances of our young Canadians at the Sochi Olympics seem to have inspired the Federal Finance Minister as he released his 10th budget today.

Revenues are expected to increase by 2.9 per cent in 2013–14 and then by an annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent over the forecast period ending in 2019. Some highlights appear below; followed by detailed tables from the Budget.

Several interesting provisions were tabled in this budget, most notably a change to the way taxpayers apply for the Goods and Services Tax Credit.

Announcements were made related to farming and fishing businesses, CCA for clean energy generation, and a proposal for changes to the rules on Eligible Capital Property.

GST and HST changes were announced related to exemption of certain health care services, nil consideration elections for closely related persons, and registration compliance.

Previously announced changes that will be implemented this year affect auto expense deductions, labour-sponsored venture capital coporations, and GST/HST exemptions for hospital parking.