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August 2, 2024

Bite-size tax and finance-related information that could save you $$$

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When you file your Underused Housing Tax Return on time and avoid penalties.

Avoiding Penalties
Welcome to Tax Mechanic Insights!
This is the newsletter that transforms your tax worries into financial wins. Whether youâre dealing with personal or corporate taxes, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Todayâs edition is brought to you by Tax Mechanic â your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the Canadian tax system.
Join the Tax Mechanic community today and take control of your financial future.

Underused Housing Tax
What is the Underused Housing Tax?
The UHT is a 1% annual tax on the ownership of vacant or underused housing in Canada. It primarily targets foreign national owners of Canadian residential property. However, certain Canadian individuals and corporations may also need to file a UHT return, even if they qualify for an exemption from paying the tax.
Who Needs to File?
Owners of Canadian residential property must determine if they are âaffected ownersâ or âexcluded owners.â Affected owners, including some Canadian individuals, corporations, and trustees, must file a UHT return by the new deadline to avoid penalties. The CRA has provided an online self-assessment tool to help property owners determine their filing requirements.
How to File Your UHT Return
The fastest and easiest way to file your UHT return is through the CRAâs online portals, My Account and My Business Account. If you are not registered for these portals, you can still file electronically through a webform available on the CRA website.
Why This Matters?
The UHT is part of the Government of Canadaâs broader strategy to address the housing shortage and ensure that residential properties are used effectively. By extending the filing deadline, the CRA aims to give homeowners ample time to comply with the new regulations and avoid unnecessary penalties.
Stay informed and ensure you meet your tax obligations by the new deadline. For more detailed information, visit the CRAâs official page on the Underused Housing Tax.

Unpaid Taxes and the IRS: A $1.5 Billion Double Standard?
In a recent report, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) revealed that a staggering 149,000 federal employees owe a combined $1.5 billion in unpaid taxes. Whatâs more concerning is that tens of thousands of these individuals are repeat offenders, consistently failing to file tax returns year after year. The problem seems to be growing.
Senator Ernst, in a strongly worded letter to Commissioner Werfel, called for urgent action. She emphasized that while taxpayers face increased scrutiny and audits, some within the IRS itself are evading their tax obligations. The question arises: Should tax collectors be held to the same standards they enforce on others?
753. Andy & DJ CTI: Acting Secret Service Director Appears Before Senate, Megan Thee Stallion To Headline Harris' Campaign Rally & Venezuela's Maduroa Faces Political Meltdown.
Key Findings from the TIGTA Audit
The recent TIGTA (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration) audit has revealed concerning trends related to tax compliance within the IRS personnel. Here are the key findings:
Outstanding Taxes: Over 5,800 IRS employees and contractors collectively owe nearly $50 million in overdue taxes.
Enforcement Gap: Despite having the authority to terminate employees who deliberately evade tax payments, only 20 individuals faced dismissal for tax-related offenses.
Rehiring Compliance Issues: More than 500 former IRS employees, previously flagged for compliance issues (including criminal and sexual misconduct), were rehired by the agency or its contractors.
Unpaid Taxes: Among the 3,323 IRS employees identified with unpaid taxes, 2,044 owe over $12 million without being on a payment plan.
Contractor Debts: Among 2,484 contractor employees, 1,729 owe more than $17 million, also without payment plans.
You can watch the podcast using the link below. Time Stamp mentioning the IRS topic is 1:16:00.
*If you not like cursing, don't watch this video*

Team Spotlight: Katie Nguyen
Role and Expertise:
Katie Nguyen, Senior Accountant at Tax Mechanic, is a pivotal member of our team, specializing in the meticulous management of complex payroll examination cases. Her expertise extends to tax filings, comprehensive bookkeeping, and corporate revival efforts. Katieâs dedication and skill in navigating intricate financial scenarios make her an invaluable asset to our firm.
Successful Resolution of Complex Tax Assessment:
Katie recently addressed a significant challenge involving a substantial $800,000 balance for payroll source deductions from 2021-2024. The balance, arbitrarily assessed by the CRA following an audit, was guesstimated based on their own estimates and records.
To resolve this issue, Katie engaged with the CRAâs trust examiner, presenting supporting documentation to accurately reflect the clientâs payroll history. Her work was instrumental in clarifying the discrepancies and ensuring that the assessment was corrected. Simultaneously, she works with her teammate, Maria, at the same time to manage communications with the collections officer. Her efforts ensured that the clientâs concerns were thoroughly addressed and understood, facilitating a smoother resolution process.
After back and forth with the trust examiner, Katie meticulous approach resulted in the correction of the erroneous balance, alleviating a substantial financial burden for our client and restoring their peace of mind. This case exemplifies the vital role of Tax Mechanic in expertly navigating complex tax matters and advocating for fair outcomes on behalf of our clients.
Commitment and Impact: Katieâs meticulous approach and dedication highlight the essential support our team provides in navigating tax assessments and overcoming challenging situations for our clients.

Here yo go Katie
Friday Feast- Team Lunch Highlights
Our team indulged in a delicious Friday feast at East Tea Can in The Well, Toronto, filled with laughter, great food, and even better company. Check out the highlights! #FeastModeOn


Audit Memo File: T2020 Memo for File


An audit memo from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is a document used during tax audits.
An audit memo prepared by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) typically includes the following components:
Introduction:
Briefly explains the purpose of the audit.
Identifies the taxpayer or business being audited.
Background Information:
Provides context for the audit (e.g., tax year, type of tax return).
Describes any specific issues or concerns that triggered the audit.
Scope of the Audit:
Specifies which areas or transactions are under review (e.g., income, expenses, deductions).
Outlines the time period covered by the audit.
Audit Procedures:
Details the steps the auditor will take to examine records and verify compliance.
May include requests for specific documents (e.g., bank statements, invoices).
Findings and Adjustments:
Summarizes any discrepancies or errors identified during the audit.
Explains adjustments made to the taxpayerâs reported amounts.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Concludes the audit process.
Recommends corrective actions if necessary (e.g., additional taxes owed, penalties).

Business Tips for Using Trello in Accounting Workflows

Trello HomePage
Prioritize Task Organization: Leverage boards, lists, and cards to keep your accounting tasks neatly organized. Assign specific boards to different clients or projects, create lists for task stages (such as âTo Do,â âIn Progress,â and âDoneâ), and use cards for detailed accounting activities like reconciliations, invoice processing, and tax preparation.
Break Down Complex Tasks: Use checklists within Trello cards to break down intricate accounting processes into smaller, manageable steps. This approach ensures thorough completion and minimizes errors.
Stay on Top of Deadlines: Set due dates and automated reminders for critical financial tasks. Avoid late fees and missed deadlines by tracking important dates directly within Trello.
Color-Code for Clarity: Apply labels and tags to tasks. For instance, use different colors to represent various financial activities such as âPayroll,â âAccounts Payable,â and âTax Filing.â This visual system helps you quickly identify and prioritize tasks.
Collaborate Effectively: Utilize attachments and comments to enhance collaboration. Attach relevant documents, spreadsheets, and receipts directly to Trello cards. Use comments to communicate with team members, share updates, and provide instructions.

Passive Income In Canada # Investments

âPassive Income In Canada ?â Fraser giving tips and tricks on TikTok about how can you earn a good amount of money in Canada.
Click here and watch my TikTok video to find out the rest!
Tax Mechanic and team helping people to gain Knowledge on social media too. Make sure, you follow Tax Mechanic to get the information you need.
This video was edited using CapCut with Masking of elements, KeyFraming and animations, the team put all the efforts to explain the content.
Was this meant to scare you? Well, yes and no. We all know that if you get flagged, the CRA can cause you some serious headaches. But the Tax Mechanic is there to watch your backâŚ
Here's the Deal:
When you choose Tax Mechanic to handle your corporate tax filings for multiple years, we'll file one year completely free of charge! Yes, you read that right â we'll take care of one year's return at no cost when you trust us with your multi-year filings.
Why Choose Tax Mechanic?
- Customer-Oriented Service: At Tax Mechanic, our clients are our top priority. We're dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your unique needs.
- Always Available: Got questions? We're here for you. Our team is always ready to address your queries and provide the support you need.
- 35 Years of Experience: With over three decades of expertise in the industry, we bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to ensure your taxes are filed accurately and efficiently.
- Trustworthy and Reliable: We pride ourselves on our reputation for integrity and trustworthiness. You can count on us to handle your tax matters with the utmost professionalism.
Why Wait? Simplify Your Tax Filing Today!
Take advantage of this limited-time offer and let Tax Mechanic make your tax filing process seamless and cost-effective. Don't miss out on the opportunity to save on your corporate tax filings.
Contact Us Today!
Ready to get started or have questions about our services? Reach out to us now to learn more and take the first step towards stress-free tax filing.