Community

Huge Tax Filing Problem Creating Voter Cards for Non-Citizens

Cory G. Litzenberger, CPA, CMA, CFP, C.Mgr

Published

4 years ago

3 minute read

Our office has uncovered a major Canada Revenue Agency & Elections Canada information sharing problem as a result of tax software many practitioners used (including us) in the past. This major glitch is resulting in voter cards being sent to non-citizens this year’s Alberta election.

If you check “NO” for the question “Are you a Canadian Citizen” the software is supposed to automatically leave the next question about Elections Canada blank when you file the return or at a minimum, flag as an error.

Even if it goes through, the CRA system should be able to recognize that they answered “NO” to the Citizen question, and should not forward information to Elections Canada.

Neither of these scenarios happened.

As a result, many permanent resident, non-citizens, are getting voter cards this year.

Below are images from my non-citizen client – both what they received (voter card) and what was actually filed on their return back in 2015. I have redacted the personal information to protect the innocent.

I’ve also tried entering the information in both our old software from our old provider, and our new software from our new provider, and the same results occur.

The problem is that there is no way for tax practitioners to reverse this in the future either. Once the CRA has sent info to Elections Canada, there is no way to remove it and say they shouldn’t have.

If you override and check “NO”, that means that Elections Canada can’t receive new info. If you override and check “YES”, then CRA & Elections Canada assume you are a citizen, even when you clearly have checked the NO box in the citizen form.

In essence, the “Are you a Canadian Citizen” question on the tax return is irrelevant. The real question is next one asking if they should send information to Elections Canada, because if they say yes, they are registered to vote and get a voter card.

This is a HUGE problem for potential voter fraud and needs to be fixed!

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Cory G. Litzenberger, CPA, CMA, CFP, C.Mgr is the President & Founder of CGL Strategic Business & Tax Advisors; you can find out more about Cory’s biography at http://www.CGLtax.ca/Litzenberger-Cory.html

Cory G. Litzenberger, CPA, CMA, CFP, C.Mgr

CEO | Director CGL Tax Professional Corporation With the Income Tax Act always by his side on his smart-phone, Cory has taken tax-nerd to a whole other level. His background in strategic planning, tax-efficient corporate reorganizations, business management, and financial planning bring a well-rounded approach to assist private corporations and their owners increase their wealth through the strategies that work best for them. An entrepreneur himself, Cory started CGL with the idea that he wanted to help clients adapt to the ever-changing tax and economic environment and increase their wealth through optimizing the use of tax legislation coupled with strategic business planning and financial analysis. His relaxed blue-collar approach in a traditionally white-collar industry can raise a few eyebrows, but in his own words: “People don’t pay me for my looks. My modeling career ended at birth.” More info: https://CGLtax.ca/Litzenberger-Cory.html

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Community

Run/Hike for Red Deer Hospice Takes Place This Sunday at Bower Ponds

Published on May 27, 2023

Todayville

News release from Red Deer Hospice

Red Deer Hospice’s 16th Annual Run/Hike event, presented by RSM Red Deer, will take place at Bower Ponds this Sunday.

Registration will open at 9:00am and those wishing to run, walk or stroll the 1km, 3kms or 5 kms will start at 10:00am. A light breakfast and hot, post-race lunch, provided by Mr. Mikes, will be available to participants and live entertainment will be provided by the band Fun House in the amphitheater.

“This will be a day to remember and reflect, while taking in the natural beauty of the trails in and around Bower Ponds,” said Jerri Taylor, Executive Director of Red Deer Hospice. “As our main fundraiser for the year, our goal is to raise $38,000.” Proceeds and donations will go towards Red Deer Hospice’s mission of supporting a peaceful and compassionate end-of-life journey.

Online registration on the Red Deer Hospice website will close at 3:00pm on Friday, May 26, 2023. Those interested in participating in this year’s Run/Hike event who have not registered can do so in person on Sunday morning at Bower Ponds.

For more information, visit www.reddeerhospice.com.

Community

Glendale Skatepark now includes on-site mentors from the YMCA

Published on May 23, 2023

Todayville

News release from the YMCA of Northern Alberta

With consistent fair weather and summer right around the corner, skateboarders, BMXers and scooter-riders are excited to return to Red Deer’s skateparks. Glendale Skatepark in Red Deer’s north side is a popular choice, and has the added benefit of being staffed by Northside Community Centre YMCA’s skatepark mentors.

The Y’s skatepark mentors are experienced skaters and BMX bikers who want to help make sure the skatepark remains a safe and inclusive space for kids and youth of all skill levels and backgrounds to enjoy. They hang out at the park every day after school and on weekends, offering encouragement, teaching skills and providing water and snacks to anyone who wants it.

“The biggest part [for me] is just creating community engagement and connections,” one skatepark mentor explained in a video on the YMCA’s social media channels, adding, “engaging with the kids, teaching what you love to do… just being a positive influence on everyone and trying to make this place a better community.”

The YMCA Skatepark Mentorship program was piloted in 2021, and after a successful season Border Paving Ltd. stepped up with a generous donation to make it possible for the Y to staff the park all summer long in 2022 and 2023. The Y has since expanded the program, and will have skatepark mentors and youth workers at the Red Deer Skatepark downtown in addition to Glendale, starting in July.

Youth can find YMCA skatepark mentors at the Glendale Skatepark Monday to Friday from 2:30 to 7:30pm, and noon–4pm on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of June. Starting in July, their weekday hours will expand to 12:30 to 8:30pm and they can be found at the Red Deer Skatepark downtown from 10am to 1pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Visit ymcanab.ca/skatepark to meet Northside Community Centre YMCA’s skatepark mentors for 2023 and learn more about youth programs at the Y.