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Tax evasion will take precedence over tax reform according to the federal Finance Minister, who attended a June 5 meeting of the Senate Finance Committee. That’s the same day the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which the CRA is a part of, celebrated its first anniversary.
Monday June 17 is the tax filing deadline for proprietors and many of them will owe money to the CRA. In fact, over 5.6 million returns filed as of May 27, 2019, had balances due averaging $5244. Three things must be managed if you owe: interest on late payments, potential offsets and adjustments, and your relationship with the collections office.
The Department of Finance Canada and the CRA defines the principal function of the tax system as a means to “raise the revenues necessary to fund government expenditures.” Of course, it is not quite that simple, as the tax system is also used to achieve public policy objectives by administering preferential tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and tax credits. The question to be answered, post-tax filing season, is whether all taxpayers claimed their fair share.
The early bird registration deadline for the 2019 Distinguished Advisor Conference in Puerto Vallarta is coming up on June 15. Be sure to check out the outstanding guest speaker list who will address the theme: Powerful Competition: The Secret to Economic Resilience.
Statistics Canada estimates the deaths in 2017/2018 numbered 142,331, and every single one requires that a final return be prepared and filed. Estate and final returns can be accompanied by a costly tax bill, especially if the client has a significant estate, assets, or savings. That’s where a highly qualified tax specialist comes to the rescue of executors who are responsible for filing the final return of the deceased.