Robertson Sharpe & Associates

09/02/2026

CRA never ceases to amaze.

Are they not training their staff? Once again a client received a review letter form CRA asking for a copy of a slip that I was able to provide by downloading a coy from them (I checked the original return and it had been prepared on the basis of slips downloaded from them back in March).

I can't begin to imagine this ineptitude costs taxpayers.

07/21/2026

07/20/2026

Starting in May 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) transitioned to online mail as the default method of delivering most business correspondence. This means you now receive most of your business notices and other correspondence through the My Business Account portal in your CRA account, instead of by paper mail.

This change applies to all of the following businesses:

-New business number and CRA program account registrations
-Existing businesses already registered for My Business Account
-Existing businesses who have given online access to an authorized representative, who can view or modify information on their behalf in Represent a Client

07/03/2026

CRA is at it again, arbitrarily denying a client’s tax credit for charitable donations without making any attempt to verify them. When the client called I thought that it was another case of the taxpayer not getting a request (CRA sometimes sends an email telling you that there is mail that you then have to go find in your MyCRA account) but this was not the case, there was no request seen.

Fortunately, it’s within the window to file a Notice of Objection which then gives us a reference number to submit copies of the receipts. It’s also worth noting that the client is a retiree and her charitable contributions have been very consistent over the years.

06/22/2026

We're cutting the cord with Bell. After so many years of paying too much for mediocre service we're saying bye bye to Ma Bell.

Hopefully this will not create any phone service disruptions (we're keeping the same number we've had since the invention of the wheel) but I can always be reached by e-mail.

06/06/2026

I’ve had a couple of clients surprised by unexpected taxable capital gains this year (they didn’t seek any advice in advance) so I think it’s worthwhile covering the “change of use” rules again.

Scenario 1. You convert your principal residence into a rental property. Get it appraised, the gain between when you bought it and when you converted to a rental property (change of use =deemed disposition at fair market value) is tax free but the gain when you do ultimately sell it ( or pass away, another potential deemed disposition) is taxable and you want to be able to justify the cost basis if CRA decides to review the transaction.

Scenario 2. You decide to sell your principal residence and move back into your rental property. This change of use has the potential to create an unfunded but taxable capital gain. In a nutshell you are deemed to have sold the rental property at Fair Market Value (again, get it professionally appraised so you can defend the values if CRA decides to review the transaction).

In either case get professional advice.

04/28/2026

Almost across the finish line!