Changes to Paper Filing Disempowering

Last tax season, only 7% of all Canadian tax filers filed on paper. The CRA is pushing for zero. It continues to steer the holdouts to digitized filing by adding lots of obstacles. Most recently, it is removing almost all the schedules from the tax return package it mails. This seems unfair to people who paper file because they can’t afford a computer and internet, distrust the security of online filing and those who are neither tax or computer literate. Here’s what they are up against:

Knowledge is power. That phrase reflects not only one of the messages in CRA’s financial literacy tips, but also the reality behind one of the recently announced changes to its national processing operations. The changes reflect a reality for many “old economy” workplaces: the new digital economy is changing workforces and the way end users prefer to transact with a hybrid of digital and human services.

Income earned by the estate during a tax year must be reported as a T3 return. Now, professionals can learn how to do so with confidence and competence, with Knowledge Bureau’s newest certificate course,  T3 Basic Tax Preparation.

Mark your calendar for Knowledge Bureau’s annual, comprehensive personal tax update, being delivered in our Distinguished Advisor Workshop (DAW) series, January 17-25, 2017. The DAW winter session will take place in six cities, including new events in Edmonton and Ottawa. This day-long certificate workshop will “shake out the cobwebs” for new and returning tax practitioners in tax, bookkeeping, accounting and financial services offices.

Take a moment to witness the inhaling of the fragrance of wood, the passionate dimensions of gratitude and the history of finding one’s voice . . . in Leonard Cohen’s own words. So much to learn from a grand poet: https://youtu.be/VIR5ps8usuo. R.I.P., Leonard.

"Life's like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending." Jim Henson

There is still plenty of time to look for year-end planning strategies to reduce taxes in 2016 and start 2017 out on a tax-efficient foot. Tax and financial advisors who make time for a planning discussion with families at this time of year may wish to use this checklist of money savers: