Weird Tales about Filing Late Tax Returns : CRA SOTW
Alan Baggett
Weird tales about filing late tax returns
Rick Soparlo, Special to The Leader-Post
The definition of disdain, according to one Web site, is: "To look
upon or treat with contempt; despise: scorn."
When it comes to income tax, there may not be a better word to
describe the feelings of most Canadians regarding the annual ritual of
preparing one's income tax returns.
Failure to file an income tax return can result in a number of
negative consequences, ranging from missing out on refunds to becoming
a guest in one of Canada's fine penal institutions.
But even though one may be missing out on money owed, or risk spending
time behind bars, there are still those Canadians who either file late
or do not file at all because of some bizarre and often amusing
reasons.
A study conducted by Personal Tax Consultants (PTC), based in Vulcan,
Alta., came up with a list of the Top 10 reasons why people leave
their income tax return in the 'to do' pile for months, and sometimes
years, after the filing deadline has passed.
Coming in at No. 10 on PTC's list of why people put off filing a
return is: "I am too young."
The fact of the matter is that having to file a return is not based on
your age. Instead, it is based on whether or not you have income,
which can originate from employment, investments or pensions.
So, if you're three weeks old and you're chosen to be the poster child
for the Thiaper, the new designer thong diaper, the income you receive
from the company that has hired you should be reported on an income
tax return.
Otherwise your next audition may be for the movie Babies Behind Bars.
Coming in at No. 9 on PTC's list was this excuse: " I am dead."
Now, I'm not sure who responded to the study with this excuse, but
ceasing to exist does not exempt you from filing a return.
According to the Canada Revenue Agency, a final return must be
submitted for the deceased by his or her representative within six
months of the date of death or April 30 of the year following the date
of death, whichever is later.
Failure to submit the required returns on time may result in arrears
penalties if there are taxes owing.
The taxes owing could end up having to be paid by the executor of the
estate if all assets in the estate have been distributed.
No. 4 on the top 10 list is: "I think they owe me money, so the longer
I wait, the more money they will owe me."
You may be surprised to know that this excuse has some validity to it,
but I wouldn't recommend it as a get-rich-quick scheme. When you are
owed a refund, you may also be eligible for interest on the refund.
However the government doesn't start crediting you with interest on
your tax overpayment until 30 days after the CRA has actually received
your outstanding tax return.
(Note, this doesn't usually include returns that are filed before the
April 30 deadline.)
So, if you have not filed your 2004 tax return yet and decide to file
it today, the interest on your refund will begin to be calculated as
of Nov. 15, meaning the interest you will be eligible for may be
enough to buy a thimbleful of champagne to celebrate your windfall.
Coming in at No. 2 was the old male standby: "I thought my wife did it
this year."
While many a wedding vow includes for richer or poorer, in sickness or
in health, I have yet to hear a vow that includes, "I promise to file
not only my return on time, but yours as well."
The excuse that ranked No. 1 in the PTC study was: "You mean I have to
pay taxes in this country?" I did not know this."
While I can see this as an honest mistake for someone who has come
from a country that has no income tax, I'd be interested to find out
how many Canadians who have lived here all their lives have used this
excuse.
And one last thing.
For all of you who have used 'the dog ate my homework' excuse during
your school years, coming in at No. 7 is the time-honoured classic: "I
don't think I have all my information; I think my dog ate some
receipts."
- Rick Soparlo is a certified and registered financial planner with
Partners in Planning in Regina. His views are not necessarily those of
Partners in Planning.
(c) The Leader-Post (Regina) 2007
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Canuck57
"Alan Baggett" <canadareve...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2440c0c3-3752-4c8b...@r9g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> The excuse that ranked No. 1 in the PTC study was: "You mean I have to
> pay taxes in this country?" I did not know this."
Hm, may be true if you are a native living and working on a reserve.
Carter
....or if your name is Alan Baggett who, BTW, believes that it is
not illegal to refuse to pay income tax. He claims it is only
illegal to not file a return.
Block the idiot.
Carter
Canuck57
"Carter" <per....@ad.astra> wrote in message
news:47fbf9ce$0$4053$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
Not going to.
Insightful post actually.
Alan Baggett
> "Carter" <per.ar...@ad.astra> wrote in message
>
> news:47fbf9ce$0$4053$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
>
> > Canuck57 wrote:
>
> >> "Alan Baggett" <canadarevenueagen...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >>news:2440c0c3-3752-4c8b...@r9g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>> The excuse that ranked No. 1 in the PTC study was: "You mean I have to
> >>> pay taxes in this country?" I did not know this."
>
> >> Hm, may be true if you are a native living and working on a reserve.
>
> > illegal to refuse to pay income tax. He claims it is only illegal to not
> > file a return.
>
> > Block the idiot.
>
> Not going to.
>
> Insightful post actually.
I just want to apologize for Carter Lee's rudeness.
From time to time he pops out of the woodwork and starts in with the
defamatory and completely untrue statements.
In a country with both freedom of speech and thought we have to suffer
the tinfoil cap wearing crowd while pitying them as well.
ralph
"Alan Baggett" <canadasrev...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f94c520d-02b3-4f50...@q27g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On Apr 9, 9:41 am, "Canuck57" <dave-no_s...@unixhome.net> wrote:
> "Carter" <per.ar...@ad.astra> wrote in message
>
> news:47fbf9ce$0$4053$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
>
> > Canuck57 wrote:
>
> >> "Alan Baggett" <canadarevenueagen...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >>news:2440c0c3-3752-4c8b...@r9g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>> The excuse that ranked No. 1 in the PTC study was: "You mean I have to
> >>> pay taxes in this country?" I did not know this."
>
> >> Hm, may be true if you are a native living and working on a reserve.
>
> > ....or if your name isAlan Baggettwho, BTW, believes that it is not
> > illegal to refuse to pay income tax. He claims it is only illegal to not
> > file a return.
>
> > Block the idiot.
>
> Not going to.
>
> Insightful post actually.
I just want to apologize for Carter Lee's rudeness.
From time to time he pops out of the woodwork and starts in with the
defamatory and completely untrue statements.
...So what of his comments were untrue and what was defamatory? People in
newsgroups sure like to bicker.
Alan Baggett
> "Alan Baggett" <canadasrevenueage...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
Carter wrote" or if your name isAlan Baggettwho, BTW, believes that it
is not illegal to refuse to pay income tax."
This is a completely untrue statement.
Carter knows this.
I wonder how Lorna feels about Carter's lyin' ways?
Carter
> Carter wrote" or if your name isAlan Baggettwho, BTW, believes that it
> is not illegal to refuse to pay income tax."
>
> This is a completely untrue statement.
Google will show otherwise.
>
> Carter knows this.
>
> I wonder how Lorna feels about Carter's lyin' ways?
See the kind of mentality you're dealing with here folks?
Someone who would bring a person's spouse, whom he has never met,
into a discussion in an effort to intimidate.
Block this bag of shit.
Carter
Alan Baggett .
> Alan Baggett wrote:
> > Carter wrote" or if your name isAlan Baggettwho, BTW, believes that it
> > is not illegal to refuse to pay income tax."
>
> > This is a completely untrue statement.
>
> Google will show otherwise.
>
What Google does confirm is Carter Lee's Roger Clemens ability to
"mis"-remember.
>
> > Carter knows this.
>
> > I wonder how Lorna feels about Carter's lyin' ways?
>
> See the kind of mentality you're dealing with here folks?
> Someone who would bring a person's spouse, whom he has never met,
> into a discussion in an effort to intimidate.
?????????????
> Block this bag of shit.
Now we see the real Mr. Lee!
> Carter