The Certificate of Canadian Income Tax Practice includes five mandatory courses with classes taking place via Zoom one night per week over 6 months. Classes begin on October 10, 2023 and conclude on April 2, 2024.
Course Descriptions
Certificate courses extend beyond the knowledge covered in courses for CPA studies. Using the Income Tax Act, tax compliance software, and other research sources, participants gain a deeper understanding of foundational technical topics, a broader knowledge of applicable tax rules, and their impact on tax compliance.
The following skills are reinforced throughout all courses:
- Reading basic provisions of the Income Tax Act
- Researching tax issues
- Writing for your audience
- Using tax preparation software – preparing and reviewing compliance
- Integrating technology in tax practice
The following summarizes the topics covered in each course:
1. Tax I topics
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Identifying tax issues
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Computation of, and compliance for, employment income and deductions
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Computation of, and compliance for, business and other income and deductions
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Computation of personal taxes payable and T1 return preparation
2. Tax II topics
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Taxable entities (sole proprietors v. corporations, trusts, partnerships)
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Relationships for tax purposes
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Computation of corporate taxes payable and T2 return preparation
3. Tax III topics
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QSBC share tests and computation of the LCGE
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Tax implications of share redemptions and importance of PUC
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Basic tax rules, implications, and compliance for common corporate reorganizations (loss restriction events, s.84.1, ss.55(2), wind-ups, amalgamations)
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Computing and compliance for common elections and information returns (T2054 (CDA), T2057 (s.85), T1135, s.116)
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Responding to CRA audits
4. Financial Statements and Tax
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Interaction between financial statements and corporate tax returns and compliance
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Computation and review of moderately complex tax provisions and deferred taxes
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Review financial statement note disclosures for completeness
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Review of T2 corporate tax compliance using tax preparation software and financial statements, issue identification and requirement for additional compliance
5. Introduction to Tax Law
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Introduction to statutory interpretation - reading and interpreting tax statutes
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Finding, reading, and interpreting secondary sources of law (case law, CRA documents, etc.)
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Conducting effective tax research using Boolean search techniques
Student Assessment
Assessment for each course includes 2 - 3 practical assignments as outlined by each instructor. Throughout the program skills related to verbal and written communication, general tax knowledge and familiarity with the Income Tax Act, and tax research, are emphasized.
Upon successful completion of ALL program segments (including all assignments and no less than 90% overall attendance), participants will receive a formal Certificate of Canadian Income Tax Practice.