No More Sworn Testimony, But Audits Are Still Stress Inducing

“That” Phrase: it’s one no taxpayer wants to hear – digitally or otherwise. “You’re being audited.” If you’ve had to deliver that news you’ll know that the reaction can range from indignity to shock to panic. Based on the latest piece of legislation before Parliament, you might have to tell more of your clients to buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. CRA will now have greater powers. Consider this:

On September 9, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced that the Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate for employees will be frozen at the 2013 level of $1.88 per $100 of insurable earnings for the years 2014-2016.

On September 6, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, announced that the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-2014 ranked Canada’s financial system as the strongest in the world for the sixth consecutive year.

The CRA has new teeth: new Section 237.3, Reportable Transactions, may in fact, give the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) a real advantage if transactions that seek to avoid taxation fall foul of pre-disclosure rules. 

CRA continues to help Canadians use more electronic services.

Filing a tax return is about what you keep. So is the pre-payment of income taxes throughout the year. This month that’s an important concept as the September 15 quarterly tax instalment payment is due on Monday, September 16.

Richard (Rick) Atkinson, founder and president of RA Retirement Advisors, discusses some key factors to consider when deciding the best time to retire in his recent article in the Summer 2013 issue of the CSA Journal.