Coming home from Mexico, where it was a balmy 27°C, to an overnight snowfall here in Canada was a bit of a shock to the system. Most people prefer life with as few shocks as possible—and I’m no different. That’s one of the reasons I’m a mostly conservative tax preparer. Here’s the thing: the CRA [...]
Relief Now Available to More Canadian Tax Filers The Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP) for overdue returns and filings has existed for a long time. In short, a submission under the VDP is a request that CRA waive the late filing penalties. Generally if this is the first time you've filed a late return and if [...]
Believe It or Not, They’re Not the Same When it comes to dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), timing matters — both for filing and for paying. Missing a deadline can lead to financial consequences, but many people confuse penalties and interest, or assume they mean the same thing. Understanding the difference can help [...]
Q: Should I keep my GST/HST number even though I earn well below the $30,000 threshold? I registered for the GST/HST for self employment back when I was a full time performer. But have now I only do a few voice over gigs a year. I’m tired of the extra GST/HST filing, but I worry [...]
If you have a completed GST-HST worksheet you can easily file your GST-HST return, either by using the figures on the Worksheet and transfering them to a return, or by signing and dating the worksheet itself and mailing it to the Canada Revenue Agency. (If you're not sure what a GST-HST worksheet looks like, [...]
You may be feeling guilty or ashamed about filing late returns going back a few years, but there’s probably a good reason you fell behind. Why Do People File Late? It starts with the first one... Lots of people who normally stay on top of their taxes end up slipping one year because life throws [...]
If you’ve ever found yourself staring aghast at a mountain of crumpled receipts the week before taxes are due, you’re not alone. Especially if you’re a person who avoids numbers, spreadsheets, and/or taxes like the plague, organizing tax paperwork can feel like trying to alphabetize soup. ADD/ADHD Makes Taxes Even Harder For people with attention-deficit [...]
No one likes missing the tax filing deadline. But it is possible to get back on track even if you're three, five or ten years behind. You still have options. Missing the Deadline Isn't The End of the World At Personal Tax Advisors we always urge our clients to file on time, to avoid penalties [...]
Why It’s So Hard to Reach CRA—and How to Make the Most of Your Call If you’ve ever had to call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you know it’s not exactly a quick phone call. Between the endless hold music, long wait times, and the occasional click of a dropped call, it can feel like [...]
If you’ve received a garnishment notice from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. Garnishment is one of the tools the CRA uses to collect unpaid tax debt. When it happens, the CRA contacts your employer and instructs them to withhold part of your paycheque to apply against [...]
