I've always filled out my own income tax returns. My income tax situation is very simple and straightforward. Yes, there are very poorly expressed sections that cause me problems. One is what they call split income pension. It's straightforward. I transfer some of my pension income to my wife. Now when the tax guys get in on writing the form it suddenly gets complicated.
they don't use the best of terms. Pension transferee??? Who's that? They do make a mess of the form. I fool them. I get it.
This year they went one too far so I have to rant.
I always have paid my income tax with a check. After I finished my tax form I noticed that I'm not allowed to pay by check anymore. They offer 4 options. I don't do online banking. Skip that one. I'm not setting up a debit account. I don't want somebody having access to my account. The only option left was to get a remittance voucher.
Now you have to order a remittance voucher online or by phone. The Micro manager tried the phone and it didn't make sense.
If I set up an account I could order the vouchers online. So I set up an account and ordered. It would take two weeks.
Now there was no notice about this change. I finished my return Mar. 27 so if the mail works I get the voucher before April 30 which is the deadline. Some people may finish their return April 25. How are they ever going to get a voucher?
So I am very angry with the tax department for not advertising that checks could not be used this year.
The micro manager called some officials and gave them the gears but they would not budge on the way things were set up.
There's a saying don't argue with the taxman. It was impossible in this case.
I don't understand why they can't take checks any more. We are getting a small refund that will be deposited to my checking account. I guess here in the US I could still write a check, but maybe not. :-(
ReplyDeleteI think we're going cashless and checkless much sooner than we think.
DeleteEven for those of us willing to pay our fair share, the tax system is unnecessarily complicated. I file our taxes too, and for the last several years I have used Turbo Tax on line. It guides me through the process, but it is still way too complicated.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, since we have a generous amount of withholding taken out, we get a refund, so I don't know how we would pay here in the US. I think checks still work.
Key word here fair share. Many are not willing to pay their fair share and have over the years persuaded the tax dept. to put in benefits for them.
DeleteChecks and cash will soon be worthless, cause no one will take them.
ReplyDeleteWho knew things could be so messed up :(
Well, who knew it would come in our lifetime!
DeleteI haven't owed any money for some time but the last time I did, they were still taking cheques. I don't like it when they force us to do things a certain way.They should be able to accommodate all payment options. I guess paying at the bank is no longer an option. That is another one of those "old" options that were available once upon a time.
ReplyDeleteYou can pay a the bank but you have to get a voucher from them to use at the bank. Key word you use is accommodate.
DeleteOh I wasn't thinking. I do remember in the old days you just took the invoice they attached to your notice of assessment to the bank and then you paid. Now almost everything is computer based. I pity those that don't have computer skills. There are still a few.so it's a good thing those remittance vouchers can still be ordered by phone.
DeleteI'm glad you wrote about this, Red. I forgot that I needed to get a remittance form this year for my mom. Thank you thank you thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a crazy situation. CRA gets to make the rules and if you don't like them, tough. If you don't use a computer, tough. If you don't have online banking, tough. There is no thought given to seniors or others who don't have and don't want computers.
You're absolutely right. They don't have a very practical idea of how it works out here. I would do everything on m line but my wife isn't comfortable with it.
Delete"RED VERSUS THE TAXMAN" sounds like a new Superheroes blockbuster. Near the end the cinema audiences are bound to whoop and cheer when RED slays the marauding monster, its crimson blood washed away down the Red Deer River. Hurrah for Red!
ReplyDeleteYou really spun the red word out for a long way! Good one. Red is really not a fighter. Too laid back.
DeleteCan't you pay it at the bank??!!
ReplyDeleteI understand your pain!
You can pay at the bank but you have to have one of their special vouchers.
DeleteI wonder what would happen if you sent them a check anyway. Would they really reject it? Seems unlikely.
ReplyDeleteThey admit that they would "probably" take your check!
DeleteNice post Red!
ReplyDeleteI hope everything sorts out for you!
Don't worry. Everything is under control.
DeleteWe haven't needed to pay for years, so I didn't know that about the cheques. What is the big deal about that? The whole tax system seems so unnecessarily complicated.
ReplyDeleteThe tax system was simple until some whiners wanted some benfiets for themselves and them more and more. then the system got complicated.
DeleteIt is a nuisance, and they don't bother taking concerns seriously.
ReplyDeleteThey have an escalator system but they're as hard as nails when you complain
DeleteThey don't make it easy; I wonder if that's intentional.
ReplyDeleteThe system is complicated because too many whiners wanted a break for themselves.
DeleteI've always gotten more of a refund than I had to pay
ReplyDeleteI want to keep my money all year rather than give it to the tax man to play with all year.
DeleteWe are in the middle of it all now. Ours are due April 15th. Fortunately we can still pay by check but not sure how long that will last.
ReplyDeleteWell, paying by check is one easy way to go.
DeleteI finally gave up last year and hired an accountant to do my taxes. It does make it easier. But why do I have to pay someone just to figure out how big my bill is to the govt.?!?
ReplyDeleteEverybody has their hand out . The system is complicated because some people don't want to pay their fair share and special rules are made for them. Thanks for visiting Hiawatha House.
DeleteHi Red, I like this post! Like you, I always have done my own taxes. Anyone who can get certified for teaching is smart enough to do their own taxes or at least it seems that way to me. Not that I enjoy it, as it can be a pain, just like needing your voucher. My favorite part of this post is when you said, “The micro manager called some officials and gave them the gears …” That is the best! :-)
ReplyDeleteI like online banking and with all my young ones who don't carry cash, online banking is my best bet for calling in debts ;)
ReplyDelete