tax complexity

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One of the main sources of tax system complexity is the proliferation of credits, deductions and other special preferences.


3:00AM
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In 1938, only 2.3 per cent of the population filed personal income taxes.

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With more tax credits, the government has to keep income tax rates higher to raise the same amount of revenue.


2:39PM
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From 2001 to 2014, the sheer number of personal income tax expenditures has increased 24 per cent.


9:00AM
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Between 1971 and 2014, the federal Income Tax Act’s text area increased by 355 per cent.


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Over the years, the federal government has shown a penchant for muddling the tax system with a myriad of tax credits, deductions, exemptions and exclusions. But tax expenditures—as they are collectively known—recently drew fire from Canada’s auditor general.


6:00AM
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Filed your taxes yet? You’ve got until Thursday at midnight. After that, according to the federal government, you’re officially in arrears.