Time’s Up: CRA’s 100 Day Mandate for Improvement

After years of frustration on the part of tax professionals and taxpayers alike, the Finance Minister ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to clean up its act in 100 days. Specifically, the improvement plan was to run from September 2 through December 11. Finance Minister and Minister of National Revenue, Francoise-Phillippe Champagne instructed CRA to fix “unacceptable wait times and service delays.” Time’s up this week and CRA has released an update on progress. What gets measured, gets done. Let’s see what CRA’s metrics show. 

Edwards v. The Queen.  A recent decision from the Federal Court of Appeal, Edwards v. The Queen (2012 FCA 330), contains interesting dicta regarding the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) administration of proposed legislation in the last decade or so, with the presiding Justice JA John M. Evans declaring it “fundamentally unfair.” 

You can have zero income and pay zero taxes but still receive refundable tax credits in Canada—simply by filing a tax return. But because many of these credits are based on “family” rather than “individual” net income, you and your spouse need to file tax returns together. 

This week: 10 neat things about plant senses.

Knowledge Bureau Newsbooks added David Christianson to our bestsellers list last week.

Family business owners typically have most of their net worth tied up in their business. This book outlines the options available to the family to ensure they know how to protect one of their most valuable assets. Order by Feb. 18 and receive $5 off.

At some time in the lifecycle of a business, the owner/manager must deal with the sale or succession of the business. This course will help you guide your client in making decisions regarding the financial and business issues that arise during these transitions.