News Room

Podcast: Automatic Tax Filing - Will It Work?

Last week Taxpayers' Ombudsperson François Boileau  tabled his annual report:  In Pursuit of Better Service: Taxpayers Deserve More.  once again, it was nothing short of scathing, as CRA received its highest number of complaints in the last three years.  Calling our “completely nuts” Income Tax Act a potential barrier, he is nonetheless pushing for automatic tax filing as a potential solution.  A new episode of Real Tax News with Evelyn Jacks & Friends available next week, will feature guest Gillian Petit, Ph.D. - author of a great report, Welcome News for Lower-Income Canadians, but There’s More to Do - which takes a deeper dive.  Consider the following:

US Tax Reforms Could Attract Top Canadian Talent

In its first major tax reform in over 30 years, the United States is considering a package of tax changes that if passed into law, could significantly impact Canada’s ability to keep top talent and business ventures from moving across the border.

Debt Management Series: How Debt Affects Wealth Management

It’s financial literacy month and Canadians need help with debt management-badly.  Over half (52 per cent) of Canadians are only $200 away from insolvency according to a poll of 1,500 Canadians by insolvency consultancy MNP this spring.  It’s a highly valued service that tax and financial advisors can offer.

Inter-Spousal Loans: A Rare Income-Splitting Opportunity

With the recently proposed tax reforms, more doors continue to close on opportunities for income-splitting between spouses. However, there is still one key strategy—the inter-spousal loan—that can minimize tax where one person in the couple earns significantly more than the other.

Please Help Us Thank Our DAC 2017 Sponsors

Last week, the 14th Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) took place in beautiful Kelowna. Please help us thank and acknowledge the incredible sponsors that helped bring this event to fruition, and the many Knowledge Bureau graduates who have offered their ongoing support - check out all the incredible speakers, networking and fun in the photo gallery!

Critical Financial Education on Family Business Tax at November CE Summits

The tax proposals introduced on July 18, 2017, are complex and continue to evolve, promising some mind-numbing complexing for business clients. Tax and financial advisors need to gain a thorough understanding of the intricacies of these proposals in order to reduce the impact on their clients. The November CE Summits will address this need, in a focused session featuring family business tax expert Larry Frostiak. Note - Registration ends today, November 15.

The Paradise Papers, Pre-Budget Consultations and The Real Tax Gap

This week brought more controversial tax news to Canadians: the Paradise Papers and a new tax “consultation”; this time in advance of the 2018 Federal budget.   The elephant in the room in both these stories is the unfinished “consultation” on the massive tax changes proposed for private businesses.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

According to CRA, Canadians experience improved service delivery and responsiveness from the CRA this tax season. Do you agree?

  • Yes
    8 votes
    8.6%
  • No
    85 votes
    91.4%