With only a couple of months until the winter holidays, it’s hard not to think about vacation. But for the financially conscious, the end of the year also means something else — it’s almost tax filing time.
 
Not surprisingly, Revenue Canada’s not on most people’s Christmas lists, but most of us get around to paying the man before April. That excludes the more than one million Canadians, though, who either pay late or don’t pay their taxes at all.

Alberta-based Personal Tax Consultants conducted a study to find out why people pay their taxes late. The answers might be surprising.
 
The results from 10 to one are:
 
10. I am too young.
 
9. I don’t make enough money.
 
8. I am dead.
 
7. I don’t have all my information; I think my dog ate some receipts.
 
6. I will get to it someday; I have other priorities right now, and I’m too busy!
 
5. I think I owe too much money.
 
4. I think they owe me money, so the longer I wait, the more they will owe me.
 
3. Maybe they will forget about me.
 
2. I thought my wife did it this year.
 
1. You mean I have to pay taxes in this country? I did not know this.
 
While the "I am dead" excuse might get you out of a day of work, it’s unlikely that it’ll go over well with Revenue Canada. So PTC’s advice? Pay your taxes properly and on time.
 
Reprinted with permission from Advisor.ca
 
 
December 12, 2007