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:

It is critical to know the mechanics of tax preparation, not only for those who want to get into or stay in the tax preparation industry, but also for financial advisors who want to offer an integrated, holistic solution to planning for their clients. If you don't know tax, you're likely missing double digit returns in your plans for Real Wealth Management with your clients.

"If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success." John D. Rockefeller

Employees who are leaving their jobs and who receive job termination payments or retiring allowances should do some tax planning, perhaps with RRSP contributions and other income splitting or deferral options.

Manitoba’s new government released its first provincial budget on May 31st, announcing three important personal tax changes that signal a change in direction from the previous regime. Small business in Manitoba also got enhancements to three tax credits.

There are two tax filing deadlines this month: June 15 and June 30; and they affect five different taxpayer profiles between them. Do you know which ones might apply to you?

Other than the recording and documentation of business expenses, the most common area that causes problems for proprietors is the claiming of mixed-use expenses.