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:

While the government has stated that the new capital gains inclusion rules will not apply to the sales of a principal residence, which qualify for a principal residence exemption, the reality is that there are some important exceptions.  Consider the following and join us on May 22 for the CE Savvy Summit to have a peer-to-peer learning experience, earn 15 CE Credits and obtain access to a comprehensive Retirement and Estate Planning Certificate course and recorded presentations that cover the details.

Did you know that CRA has spent close to $9 million on its Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs?  CVITP grants have been providing in 3700 funding agreements to community organizations that offer free tax clinics.  There is a natural symbiotic referral relationship between certified tax pros and the non-for-profit volunteers, who must pass on more complex returns and returns for those with higher incomes. Knowledge Bureau can help by providing training at special rates to volunteers who wish to upskill with professional certification.

Are you ready to take the next step and help your clients experience financial peace of mind  while recent budget announcements, inflation and more are weighing heavily on Canadian taxpayers. Delivering confident advice has never been more important! Take advantage of an exclusive Program Offer and save $500 on Real Wealth Management™ Program tuition until May 31. Experience the education first by taking a risk-free Orientation, which includes a recording of a live RWM™ round table discussion.

One of the topics of conversation in the May 22 CE Savvy Summit for tax and financial advisors will be the new complexity the capital gains inclusion rate increases will bring to the Income Tax Act.  Although the draft legislation to bring the current 50% rate up to 66 2/3% is still missing in action despite a looming June 25 date on the horizon, the changes will require a look back to the 1980’s to calculate gains properly and looking forward, potentially 6 different capital gains exemptions.

Cottage ownership is a long-held Canadian dream.  Due to shifting demographics over the next decade, many cottages are set to become family battlegrounds—as ownership of vacation properties along with other family assets will be transferred from aging parents to their children.  Beyond the significant financial implications that will be triggered by this asset transfer, often the emotional aspects can be even more difficult to contend with.  Cottage succession planning is an important exercise that clients should undertake well in advance of their deaths to avoid family issues and tax implications. 

By May 6, the CRA received 28.5 million returns with over 94% of them submitted by electronic methods. For those Canadians receiving a refund, the average amount is $2,165, another annual increase over last year which came in at $2,053 for 2022. Train now and help tax filers pay the correct amount of tax and no more both for their 2023 tax returns, which can be adjusted for errors and omissions, and in planning for their 2024 tax liabilities. Mark your calendar for these upcoming tax, investment and financial milestones, which include new dates from the Federal Budget, like the June 25 Capital Gains inclusion rate increase. Get all the details below!