News Room

CRA Service Levels Rate Poorly in Advisor Poll

Over 96% of advisors surveyed in last month’s Knowledge bureau Report poll said that despite ramping up various initiatives and staffing levels, CRA’s service levels have worsened significantly and the commentary around this was interesting.  For the few who said yes, there were no specific embellishing comments, but for those who said no, there was a lot of scathing detail.  Take a look:

Building Bridges for Business Owners

Business owners remain financially stranded in Canada.  According to a new survey by the CFIB, 33% of business owners have had to dip into their personal savings just to stay afloat during the pandemic crisis, 26% of them have had to increase credit card debt, and 8% of them tapped into their retirement savings early. That scenario is bolstered by a July 15 survey from Stats Canada which confirms the extent of the financial burden borne by business owners. A continued lifeline is critical to clinch Canada’s economic recovery.

Up to Speed? Rules Change for RPP and Salary Deferral Leaves

On July 2, the government released draft legislation to temporarily change some of the rules around salary deferral leave and Registered Pension Plans. Here’s what you need to know:

Interest Rate Steady: What It Means for Taxpayers

Need some positivity in your life? The  new Bank of Canada Governor, Tiff Macklem announced yesterday that the benchmark interest rate would remain 0.25% (where it’s been since March) and will do so until the 2% inflation target is reached, which might take at least two years, according to their Monetary Policy Report.  But there is more good news:

Commission Salespeople: Fill Knowledge Gaps on The Tax Consequences

Are you in the dark about tax rules for employed and self-employed taxpayers?  Shore up your knowledge base now with two new short courses from Knowledge Bureau in the new Knowledge Gap Series. Here’s what you’ll learn online (that means in the comfort of home, office, cottage or beach), and the price is right, too.

Educational Calendar: Important 2020 Tax, Financial and Educational Events

Mark your calendar: there are some important dates coming up for those with an interest in tax and financial planning, including some exciting new educational opportunities with Knowledge Bureau. 

Economic Update: Unprecedented $713 Billion to be Borrowed in 2020-21

According to the July 8 Economic Snapshot, the Canadian economy is projected to shrink by 6.8%, the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression.  Worse, Canadians face an unprecedented total market debt level of $1.236 Trillion dollars projected for the end of 2020-21 and the government plans to finance $713 billion of that, which means that each of Canada’s 37,742,154 people, now face a liability of $32,748.66.  It’s no wonder the PBO issued a report on a “wealth tax” the same day.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you believe our tax system needs to be reformed and if so, what would be your first improvement? If not, what do you like about it?

  • Yes
    21 votes
    100%
  • No
    0 votes
    0%