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:

The income gap between Canada’s top 1% of taxfilers and the other 99% is still substantial. But, so too is the gap between the amount of taxes paid by the two groups. In 2010, the “rich” accounted for a disproportionate share.

On Jan. 14, Gary William Mechar of Kamloops, B.C., was sentenced to four years in prison and ordered to pay $276,655 in restitution to two financial institutions.

The unstable global economy tops the list of “urgent” issues to address in 2013, says the World Economic Forum (WEF).

It’s no secret that governments are awash in debt. But, where is the money to pay down federal and provincial deficits and accumulated debt going to come from?

A recently released judgment from the Tax Court of Canada testifies to the importance of good record-keeping and exemplifies a clever method that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) invokes when investigating taxpayers who hide behind inadequate records.

If you turn 65 before July 1, 2013, can you still opt to delay receipt of Old-Age Security (OAS)?