icao volunteer tax clinics 2012 training session for 2011 returns presented by: rita macdonald, ca...
TRANSCRIPT
ICAO Volunteer Tax Clinics2012 Training Session for 2011 Returns
Presented by:Rita MacDonald, CARita MacDonald Professional CorporationElements LLPTax Advisory and Compliance
Agenda
Tax Clinic Guidelines
Introduction to the Return
Understanding the Changes to the Ontario Credits
Hypothetical tax return - Problem 1
Hypothetical tax return - Problem 2
Using TaxPrep
Volunteer Tax Clinic Guidelines
Income threshold per household, less than:with no dependents $20,000with dependents $30,000
Exceptions, i.e. disabledNo business income or rental income
Volunteer Tax Clinic Guidelines
Assist in preparing return – likely only for 2011; some clinics may allow 2010 and 2009
Do not associate with false, misleading or incomplete returns
Do not give advice
What To Bring - Taxpayer
Information slips and receiptsPrior year’s tax return and assessmentOther necessary information
Taxpayer responsible for filing return
What To Bring - Volunteer
Calculator, stapler, pens, pencils, etc.Blank paper (for schedules, i.e. list of
medical expenses, donations)T1 guideClinic Briefing NotesExtra blank returnsComputer and printer (if using)
What To Expect
Each location different – know where you are going and arrive early to set up – DON’T FORGET!!
Taxpayer’s have been pre-screened and booked into ½ hour slots (a husband and wife would be 2 returns so 1 hour)
Typically 3 hour clinics so you will be preparing 6 returns Sort the slips by type and review for completeness If taxpayer does not qualify (i.e. business income, over
income threshold), do not complete and bring to the attention of the location coordinator
What to Expect (2)
No where to print (unless you bring your own
printer) so be prepared to complete by hand
Review tax T1 General (tax forms) prior to
attending
May use Taxprep to calculate first
Complete two copies, one signed and in envelope
to CRA and one for taxpayer
Completing the Return
Who must file a return? Everyone!
Which T1 form to use (Special, General)?
Do lower income spouse first
Need details of spouse’s income (if not preparing)
The Income Tax and Benefit Return
4 pages - Otherwise known as “the Jacket”Page 1 – Personal Identification, elections Canada,
GSTPage 2 – Total IncomePage 3 – Deductions from income to get to
Taxable IncomePage 4 – Calculation of Refund or Balance Owing,
Signature
IDENTIFICATION – Page 1
Personal Information – name, address, S.I.N., D.O.B., marital status
Must include spouse’s information (common-law too)
PROVINCE OF RESIDENCE – ONTARIOElections Canada, Question on CitizenshipGST – always answer yes!!!!! (one
per couple/family)
IDENTIFICATION (cont’d) Effects of Changes in Marital Status
– Common-law partner applies if 1) parent of your child, and/or 2) living together for 12 continuous months
– Year of marriage – claim spousal amounts and transfers from spouse, if applicable
– Year of marriage breakdown – you can claim either tax credit for spouse (see below) or support payments but not both
CALCULATING TOTAL INCOME – Page 2
Page 2 of the JacketRecord ALL income hereNext 9 slides
Total Income – Page 2
SLIPS (add together if more than one):T4 – Employment IncomeT4E – Employment InsuranceT5 – Investment IncomeT4(P) – Pension IncomeT4(OAS) – Old Age Security AND Net Federal
SupplementsT5007 – Social Assistance
Total Income – Page 2
Universal Child Care Benefit – RC62 slip$100/month/child under the age of 6 (Line 117)Taxed on LOWER-income spouse returnIF you were a single parent on Dec 31, 2011
can include ALL UCCB amounts on eligible dependant’s return
Report on Line 185 of Jacket – page 2Deduct from eligible dependant amount as net
income – Schedule 1 and ON428Taxprep – RC62 – Check Option #2
Total Income – Page 2
Support Payments - SPOUSEsupport payments for SPOUSE DEDUCTIBLE to
payer and taxable to recipient – Line 156 and 128Must be court ordered periodic payments
Support Payments - CHILDSupport payments for CHILD NOT DEDUCTIBLE to
payer and not taxable to recipientRules changed May 1, 1997
Total Income – Page 2
Foreign Income
Report all income earned in year from all
sources, i.e. pension from United Kingdom
Translated at the average exchange rate
See briefing notes for treaty exempt countries
and exemptions and exchange rates
Total Income – Page 2
US Social Security
Canadian residents are taxed on US social security
received during the year
Include 100% of Social Security on line 115 and deduct
15% on line 256 (only 85% of amount is taxable)
IF started collecting prior to January 1, 1996 may be
eligible for 50% deduction
Total Income – Page 2
Veterans
Veteran disability payments, dependent
pensioners’ payments and war veterans
allowances are not taxable and not included in
net income
Canada Child Tax Benefit & Ontario Child Benefit
Not taxable – do not include
Total Income – Page 2
Scholarships, Bursaries and Fellowships– FULL-TIME STUDENTS – not taxable if full-time in
current year, previous year or subsequent year– PART-TIME STUDENTS – exemption equal to the
amount of tuition paid plus costs of program-related material
– Taxprep - To calculate exempt portion for part-time students enter tuition fees & costs on Form J130
Total Income – Page 2
• Split Pension Income• If clients OVER 65 and therefore receiving the age
amount – WILL NOT BE BENEFICIAL AS ALREADY NOT TAXABLE – TRANSFER NOT NECESSARY
• This is the majority of Tax Clinic Clients• If in doubt and using Taxprep go to Form T1032 and
use “calculate” button to determine if beneficial
Total Income – Page 2
• Split Pension Income (continued)• If clients are under the age of 65 with eligible pension income
(Line 115), transfer may be beneficial• IF one spouse has majority of income and the other has NO
pension income (Line 115), AND• IF after entering all information, the client IS taxable, may want to
split the pension income• BOTH clients would need to complete and sign form T1032 (bring
the forms with you)• See Briefing Notes for more details• THIS SCENARIO IS NOT LIKELY GIVEN THE INCOME
CRITERIA AT THE TAX CLINICS
Total Income – Page 2
• Split Pension Income (continued)• The only other time it may be advisable to split income
is if after calculating taxable income, one spouse has TAXABLE INCOME OVER $20,000
• In this case, split pension income to eliminate the Ontario Health Premium
• Again you will need to bring the forms (T1032) with you and both clients will have to complete and sign
CALCULATING TAXABLE INCOME – Page 3
• Page 3 of the Jacket• Line 250 most important!• The rest will likely not apply• See next 3 slides
TAXABLE Income – Page 3
Non-Taxable Income – entered in calculating net income aboveGIS and SA (line 146)Welfare (line 145)Worker’s Compensation (line 144)
Offsetting deduction in computing taxable income (LINE 250)!!!!
Affects calculation of tax credits
TAXABLE Income – Page 3
Childcare Deduction
Must be claimed by lower income spouse (in most cases)
using form T778
Only deductible against earned income (in most cases)
Max claim of $7,000 per child who was not 7 at end of year,
$4,000 each for other children under 16 at any time during
year, and $10,000 per child eligible for Disability Credit
(max 2/3 of earned income)
Limit on camp expenses for overnight camps
Use Jumpcode “Care” to enter in Taxprep
TAXABLE Income – Page 3
• RRSP contributions – Line 208 (Complete Schedule 7)
• Union Dues – Line 212 (from T4)• Support Payments Made – Line 220 (see
slide above)
CALCULATING REFUND OR BALANCE OWING – Page 4
• Page 4 of the Jacket• Calculate FEDERAL tax on Schedule 1
(Line 420) and ONTARIO tax on ON428 (Line 428)
• Lines 437 – 476 as applicable• LINE 479 – Provincial Credit (see below)
NON-refundable tax credits
• These are NON-refundable• Only used to reduce taxes otherwise
payable• Different amounts available on Schedule 1
(Fed) and ON428 (Ont)• TIP: Once you have enough credits (greater
than or equal to taxable income) then you do not need to claim more
• See next 13 slides
Non-refundable Tax CreditsUse worksheets/guide when needed
Basic AmountEveryone gets a basic credit of $10,527(Fed) and
$9,104 (Ont) Spouse/Common Law Amount
If the spouse has low income or no income claim spouse amount (spouse must still file own return)
Available credit of $10,527(Fed) and $8,503(Ont) less spouse’s net income
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Eligible Dependent (Line 305) – Schedule 5consider for single, divorced, separated, widowed
taxpayersMust support dependent who was
under 18 at any time or parent, grandparent, or physically/mentally infirm
Related to taxpayerLiving with taxpayer (except dependent children at school)Residing in Canada
$10,527 (Fed) and $8,503 (Ont) less net incomeRemember to deduct UCCB, if applicable (see above)
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Amount for children born in 1994 or later$2,131 per child who is under 18 at the end of the yearClaim the full amount in the year of birth, death or
adoptionFederal only, not provincial credit
CPP paid (from all T4s (Line 308)
EI paid (from all T4s (Line 312)
Non-refundable Tax Credits
65+ (born 1946 or earlier)
claim age amount $6,537 (Fed) and $4,445 (Ont)
Pension Amount receipt of pension income (lines 115, 129) - CPP, OAS,
death benefits not eligible
claim pension amount $2,000 (Fed) and $1,259 (Ont)
Transfer Credits to Spouse (Schedule 2)
Transfer age amount, pension amount, disability
amount, tuition in certain cases
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Canada employment amount – Federal Credit $1,065 (Line 363 – Sch 1)
Available if they have employment income
Public Transit Passes – Federal Credit Line 364 – Sch 1 Credit for monthly (or longer) public transit passes Or passes for at least 5 days uninterrupted travel x 4 (total 20 days
purchased within a 28 day period) Claim for you, your spouse, common-law spouse or dependent
children under 19
Non-refundable Tax Credits
• Federal Children’s fitness amount (Line 365)– Maximum $500 per year per child for
enrolment in a program of prescribed physical activity
– Child must be under 16 at beginning of the year or under 18 if disabled
– Additional $500 available if paid for disabled child
Non-refundable Tax Credits
• Federal Children’s art amount (Line 370) - NEW– Maximum $500 per year per child for
enrolment in an artistic, cultural, recreational or developmental program
Does not have to be physical, i.e. tutoring, piano lessons, Girl Guides
– Child must be under 16 at beginning of the year or under 18 if disabled
– Additional $500 available if paid for disabled child
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Disability Credit $7,341 (Fed) $7,355 (Ont) non-refundable tax
credit Additional amounts available for disabled
children under 18 yrsMarkedly restricted in their daily activities for a
substantial period of timeMust file T2201 if 1st year of claim
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Infirm Amount – Line 306– for dependents 18+ with mental/physical infirmity– for child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother,
sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew resident in Canada– Dependent’s net income must be less than the threshold
(see guide)– Use worksheet to calculate and complete Schedule 5
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Caregiver Credit – Line 315– for dependents 18+ with mental/physical infirmity - for
child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew resident in Canada
– OR 65+ parent or grandparent (not necessarily infirm)– Dependent’s net income must be less than the threshold (see
guide)– Use worksheet to calculate and complete Schedule 5– NOT available if infirm amount claimed
Non-refundable Tax Credits
Students - Complete Schedule 11 - TuitionTuition - receipts must be >$100 for tuition (T2202A)Education Credit and Textbook credit – calculated
based on FT or PT status (see T2202A)Unused tuition fees and education credit can be
transferred up to $5,000 (Fed) and $6,295(Ont) to supporting person
Students should always complete Schedule 11 even if credits not used to keep carryforward
Interest paid on Canada Student Loans is eligible for a credit (Line 319 – Fed only) or carryforward 5 years
Non-refundable Tax CreditsMedical expenses
– Claim entire family’s expenses on same return– Eligible amount must be over 3% of net income– Can claim for any 12-month period ending in
2011– List on blank sheet & Include receipts– TIP – check if over 3% of net income and
needed to reduce taxes or claim the refundable medical expense supplement first
Non-refundable Tax CreditsMedical expenses – other dependents:
– Claim for expenses paid on behalf of other dependent relatives, such as grandparents or nieces/nephews
– may be claimed on line 331 of Schedule 1/liine 5872 of ON428
– Claim is subject to dependent’s minimum threshold (> 3% of net income)
– No maximum (new for 2011)
Non-refundable Tax Credits Donations (Complete Schedule 9)
claim entire family’s donations on same returnFederal receive credit of 15% on first $200 and
29% on balanceIf credit not needed then carryforward up to 5 yearsTell client to keep receipts until needed
Non-refundable Tax Credits New Immigrants
considered part-time residents from the time they enter Canada, i.e. moved to Canada on March 31, 2011 then resident for 275 days or approximately 9 months
pay tax on all income received since moving to Canada, i.e. 9 months
Non-refundable credits are pro-rated, i.e. 275/365 Pro-rate the following federal and corresponding Ontario
amounts: Line 300, 301, 303, 305, 367, 306, 315 to 318. Taxprep – enter date of entry for automatic proration
Ontario Health Premium TaxFor individuals with TAXABLE income
(line 260) greater than $20,000Calculated and entered on ON428 – Line 69Non-refundable credits listed above are not
used to reduceTax Clinic patrons will not likely be subject
to this premium due to their taxable income level
REFUNDABLE CREDITS!!! – Page 4
• Claimed on page 4 of Jacket• Unlike non-refundable credits you should
ALWAYS see if these are available• They create refunds for the clients• Use separate schedules and worksheets to
calculate• Next 5 slides
Ontario Refundable Tax Credits
ON BEN – New in 2010 – ONE PER FAMILYALWAYS select box 6118 to claim the OEPTC (Ontario
Energy and Property Tax Credit)ALWAYS Select box 6113 IF age 64 or older and paid
property tax to claim the OSHPTG (Ontario Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grant)
Enter rent paid (Line 6110) or property tax paid (Line
6112) or check box (6114) if student in residence in
2011
Complete declaration – Part B
SEE SEPARATE HANDOUT
Ontario Refundable Tax Credits – Page 4
ON 479 – ONE PER FAMILYBIG changes for 2011VERY IMPORTANT – see separate handoutOnly used now to claim refundable credit for
Children’s Activity Tax Credit (next slide)Other credits not typically applicable to Tax Clinic
clients
Ontario Refundable Tax Credits – Page 4
ON 479 – Ontario Chiidren’s Acitivity Tax CreditClaim fitness and art program receipts (same as Federal
– see above)Maximum $509 in eligible expenses (additional $509 if
disabled) per childMaximum refundable credit $51 per year per child or
10% of totalChild must be under 16 at beginning of the year or
under 18 if disabled– Complete Line 6309 of Form ON479 and transfer to
Line 479 of the Jacket
Federal Refundable Tax Credit – Page 4
• Working income tax benefit (WITB) – ONE PER FAMILY – IMPORTANT CREDIT– Available if employment or business income &
over 18– Employment/business income must be > $3,000– Not for full-time students unless single with
dependent– Complete Schedule 6 and enter results on Line
453– Maximum $944 (single) or $1,714 (with
dependent)!!!
Federal Refundable Tax Credit – Page 4
Refundable Medical Expense Supplement – up to $1,089 – Line 452Available if eligible for medical expense credit
(line 332 on schedule 1) (i.e. over the 3% of net income threshold)
must have at least $3,179 employment incomecomplete federal worksheet Line 452 to
calculate
Refund or Balance Owing
• Calculated on page 4 of Jacket• Calculate taxes as per above• Calculate REFUNDABLE credits as per above• Don’t forget to include taxes withheld at source (T4s, etc.)
entered on line 437• Total payable less total credits results in refund or amount
owing• 99% of clients owe nothing or get a refund (See separate
handout on Ontario Credits)• Have client sign and date• Do not complete tax preparer section
CHILD TAX BENEFIT & ONTARIO CHILD BENEFIT
NOT calculated on return – apply separately Inform new parents and new immigrants to apply
for the CTB Used to calculate Universal Childcare Benefit
($100/month) Forms - www.cra.gc.ca/forms
or 1-800-959-2221 Enquiries – www.cra.gc.ca/benefits
or 1-800-387-1193
HELP!
• CRA General Help Line• 1-800-959-8281
• Hours• 8:15 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (weekdays)• 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (weekends)