April 2006 Archives

CRA debunks common tax myths!

In a recent taxpayer alert, the Canada Revenue Agency has issued a warning about certain tax myths being propogated by "a small number of unscrupulous individuals and groups... many of them claiming that you can lawfully refuse to pay taxes or file a tax return".

CRA advises Canadians:

"Be wary of such claims because they are based on faulty arguments and are not supported by law. Accepting them as fact could have serious legal implications for you, including fines, penalties and even jail time, plus any taxes and interest owed."

Some of the most common tax myths are identified in the taxpayer alert on the CRA website at:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/alerts/2006/a060425-e.html

CRA Tax Tip: You get an extra day to file your return!

Since April 30 falls on a Sunday in 2006, you have until midnight May 1, 2006, to file your 2005 Canadian income tax return. (You can file either electronically or by mail.) If you don't file on time, late-filing penalties will apply on balances owing.

Self-employed tax filers have until midnight on June 15, 2006, to file a return although you still have to pay any amounts owing by May 1, 2006.

For more information on this CRA tax tip or others, visit the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/taxtips/2006/tt060424-e.html

Federal Accountability Act Plays Bait and Switch with Voters

Newspapers & Taxpayers’ Groups Press Harper Government to Keep Transparency Pledge

Ottawa: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and the Canadian Newspaper Association are calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to honour campaign promises to end a culture of secrecy in Ottawa by committing to a timetable for enacting reforms to the Access to Information Act.

“We are calling on the government to implement – not study, but implement – the Information Commissioner’s recommendations for reform of the Access to Information Act, exactly as promised in the Conservatives’ election platform,” said CTF federal director John Williamson at a news conference on Parliament Hill today. “Prime Minister Harper is wrong if he believes this is politics as usual. Advocates seeking reform are not looking to pocket half a loaf here.”

“By introducing the Federal Accountability Act without promised reforms to improve transparency, the government has played a game of bait and switch with Canadian voters,” said Anne Kothawala, President and CEO of the Canadian Newspaper Association. “Prime Minister Harper made a bold promise to restore the public’s trust in government, but, strangely, he left meaningful reforms to Access to Information out. It’s as if an auto manufacturer promised to make its cars safer, added airbags and left out the seatbelts.”

The two groups said they have come together to make common cause in a matter of vital public interest. Access to Information is essential for the press to do its job of informing the public on what government is doing and why. Access to Information is vital for taxpayers to learn how their dollars are being used.

The Conservative election platform pledged to enact the Open Government Act, a bill drafted by Information Commissioner John Reid at the request of Parliament last year. Instead of introducing this bill in the House of Commons as his party’s platform promised, Treasury Board President John Baird sent the draft bill and a discussion paper to a committee for further study. “The government is in serious danger of running out of time to honour its promise to improve transparency,” Ms. Kothawala said. “Transparency is so critical, not just because it shines a light on wrongdoing, but because it is a powerful deterrent against wrongdoing.”

The two groups also called on opposition parties to work collaboratively to speed the introduction and passage of a bill to reform the Access to Information Act. “If Opposition members stand shoulder to shoulder they can prevail on this important issue,” Mr. Williamson concluded.

John Williamson
CTF Federal Director
www.taxpayer.com

CRA tax tip: leave your cash at home

The Canada Revenue Agency has released a tax tip reminding Canadians that the "CRA prefers that if you are making a payment in person at one of its counters, you use a cheque, debit card or money order."

"You can save time by paying your personal and/or business tax through your financial institution's telephone and Internet banking services. It's secure, private, convenient, and you don't have to wait in line or find a parking spot! Depending on the institution you deal with, you may even be able to future-date your payments."

For more information on this tax tip visit the CRA website at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/taxtips/2006/tt060330-e.html

CRA tax tip: self-service options

The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a tax tip inviting Canadians to help themselves by taking advantage of the CRA's self-serve Internet options.

New features coming over the next two years will include access to Internet kiosks and the abiltiy to arrange appointments to speak with an agent in person.

For more information on this tax tip, see the CRA website at:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/taxtips/2006/tt060328-e.html