No More Sworn Testimony, But Audits Are Still Stress Inducing

“That” Phrase: it’s one no taxpayer wants to hear – digitally or otherwise. “You’re being audited.” If you’ve had to deliver that news you’ll know that the reaction can range from indignity to shock to panic. Based on the latest piece of legislation before Parliament, you might have to tell more of your clients to buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. CRA will now have greater powers. Consider this:

How cash-strapped are your clients, really? Tax and financial advisors need to make that question a priority to really help younger clients before times get tougher for some. The Canadian Press, for example, recently reported about a survey by Manulife in which they found that “nearly three quarters of Canadian homeowners…would have difficulty paying their mortgage if their payments were to increase by more than 10 per cent.”

"Best DAW yet!" The spring Distinguished Advisor Workshops (DAW) started this week in Vancouver to great fanfare by our attendees. Here’s what some had to say:

Over the past fourteen years, the Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) has established its reputation as the most comprehensive and strategic educational conference available to tax and financial advisors. Experts and visionaries from all sides of the financial services industry offer their wisdom on how you can sharpen strategic and technical skills required to best serve your clients in this time of significant change.

Laramie Tan-Amit has gained confidence in her role as a Professional Tax Practitioner and Bookkeeper. “The designation has given me confidence and legitimacy as a practicing tax professional. Combined with my in-depth knowledge in accounting, I can better serve my clients thanks to the knowledge and skills I attained from the course.”

An important tax break is disappearing after 2017: The First-Time Donor’s Super Credit. This opportunity is of particular interest to advisors who work with higher-net-worth families and their adult children. In fact, discussing it as part of mid-year tax plan may make good sense for these taxpayers, especially if they wish to be strategic about their giving.

Canadians were treated to new technology this year and embraced it soundly: 7.3 million individual requests were received by CRA’s digital service Auto-Fill My Return, and 87% of all returns filed to May 15 used NETFILE or EFILE. However, you may be hearing complaints about smaller tax refunds this year. The averages appear to bear that out.