CRA’s Callback Service for Tax Pros Pilot

Are you a tax professional with years of experience? Have you ever felt frustrated after calling the CRA, having spent hours on hold, wasting your client’s or employer’s time, only to speak to CRA agents who aren’t qualified to answer your questions? The Auditor General of Canada was equally displeased in a scathing report last fall on wait times and accuracy levels at the CRA. Now a new CRA callback service may come to the rescue this tax season. Here is my experience with the pilot project so far:

Who needs to file a 2019 T1 return and when? It’s a question Canadians and their advisors continue to struggle with, as filing deadlines become an ever-moving target. Last Friday (May 22), CRA changed their website to announce they will not charge a late filing penalty as long as the extended June 1 filing deadline is met by September 1. So why file now? Here are some key reasons:

Navigating the complex detail of the emergency pandemic response benefits has been a complex process for businesses and individuals alike. We’re here to clear up some of the frequently asked questions about the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and help you sort through sort through the chaotic myriad of the benefits and their tax-audit pitfalls.

Today is the day that Canadians who qualify should have received their OAS and CPP government benefits and the next payment is June 26.  But a new tax-free benefit of $300 will also arrive soon.

There’s more financial relief ahead for Canadians, as prescribed interest rates are set to decrease on July 1. That means shareholder loans, inter-spousal investment loans and other taxable benefits likely should be planned for Q3. 

If you are looking for that next professional development course that will help you provide high-value advice to your financially stressed clients, take the Pandemic Benefits Response Course online to sort through the chaotic myriad of benefits and all their pitfalls. Every professional in the tax, bookkeeping or financial services must know how to do that. Enrol by May 31 save $100.

Now is the right time to start a new conversation about retirement with your clients and give a high-value gift to move it forward. Get your copies of Master Your Retirement, Doug Nelson’s best-selling book – with a special offer.