Technology

Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson is pleased that the Canada Revenue Agency is exempting bare trustees from the 2024 filing requirement

Published

4 hours ago

October 30, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 30, 2024 /CNW/ – The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, is pleased that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has proactively waived the 2024 filing requirement for bare trusts, unless it makes a direct request.

In July 2024, the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson announced that our Office was opening a systemic examination into whether the CRA had respected taxpayers’ rights in its administration of bare trust filing requirements for the 2023 tax year.

In carrying out the examination, we heard from stakeholders that the bare trust information the CRA provided for the 2023 tax year had value, but like the 2023 exemption, it came too late. Many tax preparers complete their hiring and training in the fall for each upcoming tax season. Therefore, announcing relief or an exemption beyond November is not timely.

In August and September 2024, the Department of Finance Canada consulted with Canadians on technical amendments clarifying the trust reporting rules. It indicated that the legislative proposal would seek to reduce the administrative burden and to exempt bare trustees from the 2024 bare trust filing requirement.

The CRA’s role is to administer the tax legislation in a manner that is fair and reasonable for taxpayers. It appears unlikely that a bill reflecting the proposed amendments would receive royal assent before many tax preparation firms begin planning for the 2025 tax-filing season. Therefore, it was important that the CRA proactively communicate this exemption, which it did this week.

We are currently in the final stages of drafting our report on our examination into the CRA’s administration of the 2023 bare trust filing requirements. We have met with stakeholders, examined complaints we received, and sought answers from the CRA. We plan to publish the report in early 2025.

Background information

The Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson works independently from the CRA. Canadians can submit complaints to the Office if they feel they are not receiving the appropriate service from the CRA. Our main objective is to improve the service the CRA provides to taxpayers and benefit recipients by reviewing individual service complaints and service issues that affect more than one person or a segment of the population.

The Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson assists, advises and informs the Minister of National Revenue about matters relating to services provided by the CRA. The Ombudsperson ensures, in particular, that the CRA respects eight of the service rights outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Quote

“The time to act is now. The CRA exempted bare trustees from their 2023 reporting requirements because it had an unintended impact on Canadians, and it was necessary to bring the exemption back for 2024.

Waiting was therefore not an option. Waiting just causes unnecessary stress, worry and wasted time and effort for taxpayers, tax preparers, lawyers, and accountants. I am pleased that the CRA has taken this initiative. “

Mr. François Boileau, Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson

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SOURCE Office of the Taxpayers’ Ombudsperson

Technology

Charles IT Launches Business-Focused Podcast, One Pour Problems, Tackling Real Business Challenges Over a Drink

Published

38 seconds ago

October 30, 2024

Charles IT, known for providing cutting-edge IT solutions and compliance expertise, is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast, One Pour Problems. Unlike their traditional tech-focused content, this podcast shifts the spotlight to business, offering a fresh perspective on the most pressing issues businesses face today—all while enjoying the guest’s favorite drink.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Charles IT, known for providing cutting-edge IT solutions and compliance expertise, is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast, One Pour Problems. Unlike their traditional tech-focused content, this podcast shifts the spotlight to business, offering a fresh perspective on the most pressing issues businesses face today—all while enjoying the guest’s favorite drink.

“We have leaned on a lot of smart and influential leaders throughout our journey at Charles IT. I am excited to be able to create a space to bring those leaders together to share their insight and memorialize it for others to lean on and what better way to do it than over a great drink!”

The podcast, hosted by Sal Marino, Director of Finance and Operations at Charles IT, aims to bring together the area’s top business leaders to discuss the real-world challenges they encounter. In the pilot episode, released on October 24, Marino sits down with Charles IT’s founder and CEO, Foster Charles, to give listeners a sneak peek of what’s to come in Season 1.

In each episode, Marino invites a special guest to join him for an engaging conversation, covering topics like post-pandemic workplace dynamics and company culture. The first two episodes feature Bryn Tindall, CEO and Founder of Rebellion Group and Michael O’Rourke, Nasdaq’s Head of AI & Emerging Technology.

Listeners can look forward to more than just inspirational stories too. That’s because each guest will also share their favorite drink along with the fun, personal story behind it. Plus, every episode wraps up with a friendly competition – a unique typing test challenge where guests try to out-type their predecessors in a lighthearted showdown!

“It is so exciting bringing the One Pour Problems podcast to life,” said One Pour Problems Producer, Caitlyn Raftery. “Sal has been a wonderful interviewer, and our guests have been outstanding. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us,” she added.

The pilot episode of One Pour Problems is available to stream now on the Charles IT website, YouTube page, and Spotify. The first episode drops Monday, November 4.

To learn more about One Pour Problems and stay up to date on future episodes, visit www.charlesit.com/one-pour-problems-podcast/.

About Charles IT

Charles IT is a Connecticut-based Managed Service Provider (MSP) and the Northeast’s compliance expert, specializing in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. Their proactive approach ensures that businesses remain secure, compliant, and resilient against cyber threats. For further updates and information, visit CharlesIT.com.

Media Contact

Charles IT, Charles IT, 1 (860) 344-9628, hello@charlesit.com, Charles IT

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SOURCE Charles IT

Technology

Dot Inc. and WEBTOON Entertainment Release World’s First Tactile Digital Comics

Published

40 seconds ago

October 30, 2024

Hit WEBTOON series “Yumi’s Cells” and “Hooky” will be made available for free in braille on Dot Inc.’s Dot Pad technology, expanding access to more fans around the world

Key supporting assets available HERE

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — WEBTOON Entertainment, a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms, today announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration with social venture company Dot Inc. to create tactile digital comics. Through the partnership, popular WEBTOON series will be converted into braille on Dot Inc.’s innovative Dot Pad.

Dot Inc. provides barrier-free products and services to build inclusive public infrastructure for the visually impaired. Its tactile display, the Dot Pad, is the first smart tactile graphics display for the visually impaired, converting any input from a connected device into a tactile graphic.

Hit WEBTOON series “Yumi’s Cells,” by creator Donggeon Lee, and “Hooky,” by Míriam Bonastre Tur, will be the first two series to launch on the Dot Pad. Tactile digital comic versions of both titles will be available globally on the Dot Pad.

“The popularity of webcomics is at an all-time high and we thought it would be great if visually impaired individuals could enjoy them too. This is my first time exploring webcomics, listening to audio descriptions, and reading dialogue. It brought the imagined scenes vividly to life in my mind, and made the content even more engaging,” said Misook Go, the community manager at Dot, who is visually impaired herself. “I was especially curious about how the individual cells in ‘Yumi’s Cells’ looked, and being able to feel their shapes brought a new level of excitement.”

“Part of our mission at WEBTOON is to make webcomics more accessible for fans around the world,” said David S. Lee, Head of US WEBTOON. “Dot Inc. shares WEBTOON’s commitment to innovating for inclusivity. After making comics more accessible to people all over the world in a mobile digital format, we’re thrilled to work with Dot Inc. to create a new content experience for the visually impaired.”

“The new experience of engaging with webcomics through touch was very impressive. Even if you did not know Braille, the process of understanding through illustrations was fascinating, and I hope to help many people visiting the library experience the world through the new tactile opportunities provided by the Dot Pad,” said Monique E. Mariani, Braille instructor at the Braille Institute of America.

The Dot Pad is a real-time tactile graphic and multi-line braille display for the visually impaired and the blind. The Dot Pad is compatible with mobile devices and laptops via Bluetooth. It displays charts, graphs, images and visual data with 320 refreshable braille cells. Users can run their fingers over the display and perceive the image with their fingertips.

About WEBTOON Entertainment
WEBTOON Entertainment is a leading global entertainment company and home to some of the world’s largest storytelling platforms. As the global leader and pioneer of the mobile web-comic format, WEBTOON Entertainment has transformed comics and visual storytelling for fans and creators.

With its CANVAS UGC platform empowering anyone to become a creator, and a growing roster of superstar WEBTOON Originals creators and series, WEBTOON Entertainment’s passionate fandoms are the new face of pop culture. WEBTOON adaptations are available on Netflix, Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and other screens around the world, and the company’s content partners include Discord, HYBE and DC Comics, among many others.

With approximately 170 million monthly active users (as of the quarter ended June 30, 2024), WEBTOON Entertainment’s IP & Creator Ecosystem of aligned companies include WEBTOON, Wattpad–the world’s leading web-novel platform–Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, Studio N, Studio LICO, WEBTOON Unscrolled, LINE MANGA, and eBookJapan, among others.

About Dot Inc.
Dot Inc., a leader in solutions for the visually impaired, has introduced groundbreaking products like the Dot Watch, Dot Pad, and Dot Kiosk since 2015. Recognized as a CES Innovation Award honoree in 2023 and 2024, Dot is expanding partnerships across North and South America. Through collaborations with Google, Microsoft, and Apple, Dot drives global accessibility. With a strong focus on the Social aspect of ESG, Dot strives to address social challenges through technological advancements for people with disabilities.

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SOURCE Dot Inc.