The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is reminding Canadians that while there may have been an extension on filing their taxes this year, it’s already too late to try and read the federal Income Tax Act.
That’s because it’s 3,314 pages long, that’s 1,047,115 words and would take the average reader more than 58 hours to read (not that many would want to). If you read the Income Tax Act for an hour every night before going to sleep, it would take you nearly two months to get through it.
Since the Harper government came into power they have added 739 pages, that’s over 210,000 words since taking office in 2006
“There is no doubt that our tax system has become even more complex under this government,” said CTF Federal Director Aaron Wudrick. “This is particularly unfortunate given the many ways they could have instead cut taxes simply and fairly – for virtually all Canadians.”
First passed in 1917 as a “temporary measure” to help cover the cost of the First World War, Canada’s federal tax law was originally 11 pages long. By 1948, it had grown to 88 pages. After a series of amendments and reforms in the 1960’s, many complained that the 1970 edition, at 424 pages, was too complicated for the average Canadian. Last year the Income Tax Act was 3,206 pages long. It has increased by 3.4 per cent over the past 12 months.
“Going forward, this government needs to move towards a simpler system,” said Wudrick. “We could eliminate thousands of pages from the Income Tax Act, cut the number of tax brackets, and cut tax rates for everyone.”
The CTF is Canada’s leading non-partisan citizens’ advocacy group fighting for lower taxes, less waste and accountable government. Founded in 1990, the CTF has more than 84,000 supporters and seven offices across Canada. The CTF is funded by free-will, non tax-receiptable contributions.
