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:Tax Evasion & The Consequences
Canadians pride themselves on being an honest people. We pay our taxes. That is, almost all of us pay our taxes. But there is a small percentage of individuals and businesses who are guilty of tax evasion. While most of us pay up, there will always be a percentage looking to cheat the government. Tax and financial advisory professionals are highly trained to advise against this and explain the consequences.
The Future is Specialized: Stand Out in a Competitive Economy
In today’s fast-changing economy, professionals in the tax, bookkeeping, and financial services sectors are facing increasing pressure to diversify their knowledge, demonstrate credibility, and add tangible value for clients navigating uncertainty. That’s where specialized credentials—particularly the Distinguished Master Advisor (DMA™) Designation offered through Knowledge Bureau—can make a meaningful difference.
Tricky Business Expenses: Don’t Fall into These Tax Traps
The June 16 tax filing deadline for self-employed proprietors is just around the corner. Be sure to do a thorough review of business expenses allowable – it’s essential to be accurate for tax purposes and keep all receipts and documentation for audit purposes. Misinterpretation or misclassification of expenses can result in either an understatement or overstatement—both of which can impact income reporting, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and income tax obligations.
Knowledge Bureau Poll: Tax Cut Doesn’t Cut It!
The Notice of Ways and Means Motion was released on May 27, but the 1% tax rate cut going into effect on July 1, didn’t cut it with Knowledge Bureau Report readers who responded to our May Poll. A decisive 90% of respondents said “No” when asked: does the new government’s promise to cut the lowest personal income tax rate by 1% to 14%, (14.5% in 2025) go far enough to help Canadians impacted by high costs? Here were their comments and suggested alternatives based on real life experiences with the after-tax income their struggling clients are left with:
June: Tax Filing and Investment Planning Milestones
Most of the personal tax returns have been filed for 2024 but we need to continue to be aware of important dates related to tax filing and investment planning. Many tax filers moan at tax time and wish they had made other decisions throughout the year but the incentive to change often disappears once the tax returns are filed. Tax and investment planning is a year-round process and we need to be mindful of important dates.
Big Money: Help Canadians Get Their Uncashed Cheques
It’s a windfall worth billions! From time to time, we hear of a lottery ticket worth millions of dollars which has gone unclaimed. But CRA says it is sitting on some 10.2 million cheques, some of them dating back years. The total value amount is a staggering $1.7 billion, Blog TO reports. So why hasn’t the government been more proactive about getting this money in the hands of Canadians? Turns out an attempt was made. But there is more: a big opportunity for tax and financial advisors to help Canadians recover what is rightfully theirs and reinvest it for their future. Read on:
