Tax Time: Your Donation Tax Receipt

Tax season is a busy time for Donate a Car Canada donors, charities, and supporting agents! If you are missing the tax receipt related to your 2014 (or earlier) vehicle donation through our program, connect with us via our toll free number, 1.877.250.4904, and we will reach out to your charity to have the receipt re-issued right away!

Revenue Canada’s website can help with many of the questions and concerns you have when filing your return this year. There you will find tips, guides, and cautions that will help with filing in your particular circumstances.

They have some significant reminders and warnings regarding potential scams:

Keep these facts in mind

• The CRA does not use email to ask for personal information. Even though an email asking for personal information may look authentic, such email does not come from the CRA. This type of email is phishing, and it contains special coding or downloadable forms that are designed to steal your personal or financial information. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/fraudprevention.
• The natural/legal person argument does not hold up in court. Promoters may try to convince you to treat yourself as two peoplea natural person of flesh and blood and a legal entity created by government. Promoters argue that your income belongs to the natural person who is not subject to Canadian income tax law. These are false claims that do not hold up in Canada’s courts. For more information, go to Tax Alert Don’t buy into illegal tax protester schemes.
• You are responsible for the information on your return, even if someone else prepared it. Be aware of who you are dealing with at tax time and what their credentials are. Stay away from tax preparers whom offer you false, fictitious or fraudulent tax claims such as charitable donations, false child care expense claims, or false business expenses or losses. If you’re not sure if your claim is legitimate, get a second opinion from another tax professional, or contact the CRA’s Individual Income Tax Enquiries line at 1?800?959?8281 for more information.
• You can correct a past mistake. The CRA offers a second chance to make things right through its Voluntary Disclosures Program. If you make a valid disclosure before you are aware that the CRA has started any compliance action against you, you may only have to pay the tax owing plus interest, but not the penalties. For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/voluntarydisclosures.

Even though scams may sound compelling and convincing, they are scams. In addition to high fees you may be asked to pay, scams are not legal and can cause serious tax consequences for you. If you make false claims on a return, the CRA can reassess it to determine correct amounts and you will have to pay interest on outstanding amounts. Also, you may be charged penalties and be prosecuted for tax evasion. Don’t become a victim, find out more atwww.cra.gc.ca/alert.

Visit their site for more practical and encouraging direction as you work hard to get the best results for you and your loved ones this tax season!