Investigative Tax Prep:  Top Ten Changes to Probe

Tax season 2025 has started with a focus on the increased income levels some taxpayers may report due to proposed changes in capital gains tax laws.  But aside from this there are new questions to probe with clients to ensure the family’s tax returns are filed to their very best benefit, given change in their life and financial events as well.  Here are top 10 queries to add to your interview checklist:

Looking for IIROC credits before year-end? Knowledge Bureau is pleased to have 3 professional  CE options available to earn both PD and compliance credits before year end.  Check out the  RWM™ program (xx PD credits), the MFA-P™ (xxx credits) and the new Certificate Course,  Navigating Privacy Issues (10 Compliance Credits).  These outstanding programs are well reviewed (see below) and can be taken anytime, 24/7 online in the convenience of your home or office. Plus,  save an additional $75 on tuition when you register by the next session intake date: October 15.

It’s a sign of the times:  everything seems to be going up, including the billions Canadians owe to CRA. But now is a good time to catch up and stop the tax bleed.   Looking at the most recent stats from February 6, 2023 to September 18, 2023, 23% of returns filed this year had an average balance of $7556:  collectively a whopping tax debt of $54.8 Billion. These costs grow with expensive late filing penalties and interest charges.  Delinquent taxpayers can avoid incurring more costs by understanding the penalties and in hardship cases, requesting relief from penalties and interest.  But they may fear CRA repercussions and some sage counselling from their financial advisors can help to get it done. Start with a quick checklist:

It’s been confirmed, but the news was disappointing.  Canada Emergency Business Account (“CEBA”) loans  provided interest-free loans to 900,000 small businesses and non-profit organizations. Partial loan forgiveness would be available to those organizations which were to repay the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2023. There’s been an extension, but for only 18 days for those who don’t have to refinance.  For the others, new loan repayment dates have been set.  Here’s what happened:

As the final quarter of 2023 is just around the corner, many taxpayers will want to discuss year end tax planning; specifically, what can be done to reduce cash flow required to settle tax debts triggered by 2023 transactions. Thanks to proposed legislative amendments released August 4, 2023, there’s a little known nugget for investors.  It’s possible to recoup prior year tax dollars on capital gains if a replacement property was acquired, and get a pandemic-related reprieve.  Here’s how it works:

Things are changing quickly in the tax world and attendees at the September 20 Virtual CE Summit raved about the educational content they received to stay sharp.  If you missed it, we have a great way to  stay on top the critical changes to tax planning and new burdens of proof, online,  with the new CE Savvy™ Collection – Tax Audit Defence Strategies.  You can earn 5, 15, or 30 CE Credits before year end, too. Here’s why professional advisors cannot miss this opportunity to come up to speed with the complex rules from the March 28, 2023 budget and the August 4, 2023 Draft Legislation:  you could be subject to big penalties, too.

Advisors of the future need to focus on three things, at least if you ask three of our gold partners who will be speaking at DAC Acuity 2023.  The keys to success are building transformative teams, finding the secrets to simplicity in complex planning, all the while understanding and balancing your lifeload. Sound like a lofty goal? Join us to hear from the thought leaders who will help break down these strategies November 12-14 in Banff. Early-bird registration ends September 30.