5 BULLET FRIDAYS - Tax Mechanic News, Tips & Strategies

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CRA Call Centres Expand Ahead of Tax Season: What It Means for Taxpayers

As tax season approaches, the Canada Revenue Agency is moving to address one of its most persistent pain points: access to reliable help. The CRA plans to significantly expand its call centre workforce in the coming months, aiming to improve response times and service levels when Canadians need them most. For individuals and families, this matters because timely answers can prevent costly filing mistakes.

Why the CRA is hiring again

The CRA plans to hire or rehire roughly 1,700 call centre agents ahead of peak tax season. This would bring total staffing to about 4,500 agents, up from roughly 3,300 at last year’s peak.

Tax season routinely generates more than 300,000 calls per day. Temporary staffing increases are a long-standing strategy to handle this surge without permanently expanding the workforce.

How service levels are changing

Following sharp criticism over long wait times and inaccurate answers, the CRA committed to a 100-day improvement plan. Since early September, the agency says the share of calls answered has more than doubled.

Accuracy remains the real issue

Speed alone is not enough. Independent audits found low accuracy rates on tax questions, while the CRA’s internal reviews report far higher accuracy. This gap explains why the agency is investing in training and AI-assisted tools.

Key takeaway: Getting through to an agent is improving, but verifying advice still matters.

Source- CBC News

Tea with GaryVee 97: AI, Work, and the Mindset Shift You Can’t Ignore

In this episode of Tea with GaryVee, the focus is not hype. It is adaptation. GaryVee lays out how AI is reshaping work, why the traditional 9–5 is eroding, and what individuals must do to stay relevant, fulfilled, and mentally resilient.

The future of work is shorter and smarter

AI is accelerating productivity, pushing companies toward outcomes, not hours. A four-day workweek is not idealism. It is efficiency.

Escaping a job you hate

GaryVee’s advice is tactical, not motivational.

• Use LinkedIn as a public proof-of-work platform

• Document learning, not complaints

• Build leverage before quitting

Mindset is the real bottleneck

Much of the episode tackles internal friction.

• Comparison kills momentum

• Resentment compounds quietly

• Therapy is maintenance, not failure

Key insight: Most people are not stuck. They are uncommitted.

Mortgage Rate Update: What This Shift Means for Your Next Move

Mortgage rates are moving again, and the direction matters if you are buying or renewing soon. After easing through November, fixed mortgage rates have started to rise as bond yields pushed past 4%. Variable rates, for now, are holding steady. The real risk is not the rate itself. It is waiting too long to act.

Why fixed rates are climbing

Fixed mortgage rates track bond yields. Recent strength in jobs and GDP pushed yields higher, and lenders responded by raising fixed rates. Just weeks ago, some borrowers were seeing rates below 3.70%. That window has narrowed quickly.

Fixed vs variable: where things stand

• Fixed rates: Moving higher, with many offers now above 4%.

• Variable rates: Mostly unchanged, since the Bank of Canada has not cut rates yet.

This split is forcing borrowers to reconsider automatic choices.

Rate snapshot

Actual rates vary by lender and borrower profile, but the trend is clear.

Look past the headlines

Recent job gains were mostly part-time, and many people left the workforce altogether. That suggests the economy is not as strong as the headlines imply, which keeps future rate cuts on the table.

Key insight: Waiting for perfect clarity often costs more than choosing flexibility.

What to do now

• If you are renewing within 90 days, lock in a rate hold.

• Compare 3-year and 5-year fixed terms.

• Choose variable only if your budget can handle swings.

For guidance tailored to your situation, Genelle George can help you make a clear, confident decision.

✨ Contact Genelle Today

2025 Tax Filing Changes: What Canadian Paper Filers Need to Know

The 2025 tax season introduces important changes that directly affect how Canadians prepare and file their returns. While most taxpayers now file online, those who rely on paper returns will need to be more proactive than in past years. Knowing what has changed helps you avoid delays, missing forms, and unnecessary stress during filing season.

A digital-first shift from the CRA

Roughly 93% of income tax and benefit returns are now filed electronically. In response, the CRA is accelerating its move toward digital services, citing faster processing times and improved self-serve options. Electronic returns are typically processed much quicker than paper filings, especially when paired with direct deposit.

No more automatic paper tax packages

The most significant change is that the CRA will no longer automatically mail income tax packages to individuals. Paper filers must now actively request or download the forms they need.

Streamlined paper packages

The CRA has also removed several low-use federal schedules and related provincial forms from the standard paper package. These forms still exist but must be obtained separately if required.

How to access paper forms

Beginning January 20, 2026, paper filers can:

• Order, download, or print forms online

• Request forms through the CRA’s automated phone service

• Obtain removed schedules separately if needed

Delivery by mail can take up to 10 business days.

Key takeaway: Filing on paper now requires planning ahead. Waiting for forms to arrive automatically is no longer an option.

Source- CRA

RESP Year-End Deadline: How to Lock In Free Education Money Before December 31

If you are saving for a child’s education, this is one deadline that actually pays. The Canada Education Savings Grant, or CESG, rewards timely RESP contributions with real cash from the government. Fraser Simpson explained this clearly in a short video posting today at 6 pm on our TikTok, and the rules are simpler than most families think.

How the CESG works

The CESG matches 20% of your RESP contributions, up to an annual limit.

Why December 31 matters

• Contributions must be made by December 31 to earn that year’s grant

• Missed years can be caught up later, but timing still matters

Key takeaway: The grant is free money, but only if you act before year-end.

How HR Becomes a Strategic Growth Engine with Kraft Heinz

Kraft Heinz is reshaping talent at a pace most teams can’t match.

If you’re trying to move faster, hire smarter, or finally get alignment with the business, this session will give you the playbook.

Andrea breaks down the systems you can adopt immediately, from AI-driven recruiting to talent-to-value prioritization, so your team delivers impact at the pace your company needs.

Save your spot