Helping First Nations, Inuit and Metis with Tax Filing

The Canada Revenue Agency is trying to reach out to Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Metis to encourage them to file their tax forms on time and could use your help to make sure these communities get all the tax benefits they are entitled to. But filing tax returns are not always easy, especially when there is income on and off the reserve.

In Information Circular, IC 98-1R5 Collections Policies, issued on February 3, 2013, CRA clearly outlines the consequences that will follow if you make the bad decision to ignore their requests for payment.  Tax and financial advisors have an important role to play in advising their clients to stay out of this kind of trouble, because the consequences can be swift and financially brutal.

Did you know that in Canada every individual can earn over $950 a month completely tax free?  You’ll want to pay particular attention to the “tax credits” you may be entitled to, and how to benefit from them, as you get ready to file your tax return. 

R&D Pro-Innovation Inc. v The Queen (2015 TCC 186)

Knowledge Bureau and Manulife Investments, title sponsor of the Distinguished Advisor Conference and co-sponsor of the DAC Young Advisors Award, were delighted to announce last week the inaugural winners of this prestigious award. 

Technology has made the obvious possible: In most cases, the CRA already knows what your income is, because they have a copy of your information slips from employers and financial institutions. Now, starting in 2016, for the 2015 tax filing year, CRA is introducing the “Auto-fill my return” function.

Death is never timely, yet it comes to at least one per cent of the population each year. Advisors need to be able to help their clients minimize the income tax consequences before the event occurs.