Sticking up for the CRA is getting harder and harder as ‘bad’ experiences proliferate
When I attend social events and introduce myself as a tax professional, the conversation often turns to the Canada Revenue Agency.
When asked about it, I like to explain that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) simply administers the laws that politicians and the Department of Finance draft and ultimately bring to Parliament to enact. It performs a critically important function, since without it the laws would be meaningless and there would be no funds to ensure that various levels of government can carry out their duties.
Despite such explanations, it is common for my new acquaintances to expound negatively about the CRA or state that they are scared to interact with its representatives.
Such views are consistent with the distrust of tax collectors that seems to have been in fashion since biblical times. In the New Testament, in particular, they are portrayed negatively, likely due to their association with the oppressive Roman government and because they apparently had a habit of collecting more than what was owed.
I think it’s fair to say that views about government tax collectors have improved since Roman times, but people still hold deeply personal, mostly negative, views about such agencies.
Personally, I’m agnostic about the CRA. I don’t hold negative or positive views, but instead continue to respect it for the critically important job it does.
Over my 30-year career as a tax advisor, I have seen both the good and the bad.
On the “good” side, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the most talented and dedicated public servants who truly care about Canada. They make a difference. Often the “good” involves getting to an answer quickly, courteously and efficiently with the CRA’s help. An audit that is done
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