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 Tax Court of Canada (TCC) recently dismissed an appeal from a taxpayer who asserted that an Order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice obligating him to pay child support and the application of subsection 118(5) of the Income Tax Act (the Act) infringed his rights under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter).

CRA is acting to shore up compliance for small business owners – both tax practitioners and their clients will be engaged in a “Get it Right the First Time” initiative which includes office visits by CRA. 

Over the summer, Knowledge Bureau will be taking an in depth look at the use of trusts in family wealth planning. An introduction to the topic begins the series.

What exactly do Canadians need to know about owning U.S. real estate?

For the 2013 and future tax years, CRA will be allowed to collect up to 50% of the taxes they think are owing as a result of your participation in the scheme, even if you decide to file a Notice of Objection.

George Hartman brings his expertise on advisor business succession planning and exit strategies to the 2014 Distinguished Advisor Conference as part of Business Valuation: Succession Plans vs. Exit Strategies.