The Rural Voice, 2005-03, Page 49Today, if a producer tries to decide
what crop to•grow based on new crop
prices, he will give up in frustration.
So, one needs to look at the potential
of each crop and if corn acres are
down in Ontario, expect a stronger
local basis while soybean basis will
be weaker with more soybean acres.
However, the U.S. farmer is expected
to plant more corn acres and less
soybean acres, which may keep corn
futures under some pressure. U.S.
corn yields should fall into a more
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
Even though it may seem months
away, the time for filing tax returns is
closer than any of us would like to
think.
By early March, income tax
information from employers, banks,
investment agencies and the
government will be piling up and it
will soon be time to tackle the
sometimes -daunting task of making
sense of it all.
If not getting assistance from your
personal accountant or tax -filing
firms. you can seek some guidance
on-line or purchase tax software
programs if you decide to go it alone
this year.
The first search was for software,
and QuickTax is one of the most
prominent names in the sector.
Information on the packages can be
found at Intuit Canada, www.intuit.ca
with a search for tax products in their
store.
QuickTax is available in a variety
of forms, from Standard ($40) that
works well for the least complicated
returns, to Platinum ($80) that
contains all the options. The Custom
package includes the Standard
options, but allows users to add one
traditional level of 140 - 144/bu/acre,
which would certainly lower
production from this past year.
Throw in a little dry weather and
yields could suffer a little more. But,
most importantly, more ethanol
plants will be operating by the year-
end and will add to the demand for
corn.
As far as soybeans are concerned,
there is already a lot of talk about the
possibility of Asian rust and insect
damage and I think the futures market
AgriTech
Tips for tax time
additional feature with forms for
retirement planning, investments or
small business.
If you help friends and family do
their tax returns, QuickTax even
offers an expanded version that
allows you to do returns for as many
as 100 people.
QuickTax programs can be
downloaded, ordered on-line, or
purchased locally.
An interesting option provided by
Intuit is the availability of old tax
programs, if filing for 2002 or 2003.
They can be purchased or
downloaded.
Canada Revenue Agency provides
documentation on-line through their
website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/
formspubs/tlgeneral/menu-e.html.
Simply click on your province of
choice and a wide selection of forms
becomes available.
The entire guide is printable, but a
scan of the 56 pages for the required
pages with selected printing would be
the way to go. Also have patience if
on dial-up as Acrobat Reader does
take a little time to download the
entire pamphlet.
The general form as well as a full
selection of schedules may he
printed.
For the truly computer -
comfortable, electronic filing is a
viable option which has gained
popularity in recent years.
Through the use of NetFile, taxpayers
can file directly to Canada Revenue
via the internet. With the use of a
personal access code, you simply
will be a little volatile and give
producers opportunities to price.
Although I believe that old crop
corn and soys are going to stay under
pressure, 1 think there is some
potential for some better new crop
prices but timing will be critical.
My hope today is that the
government will come through and
provide some assistance to cash
croppers for the low prices that we
have seen since last November. Only
time will tell.0
input data into your software package
(there are numerous certified
programs listed on the site), or
through free downloads on the web.
click and send. No receipt inclusion
is required and direct deposit of
hoped-for refunds makes the process
even easier.
E -filing services are completed by
tax preparation firms and filed
electronically on behalf of the client.
Canada Revenue offers a third way to
file your tax return. but I'm unclear
as to the advantage. You still have to
go through the task of filling out your
form by hand and doing the
calculations. You then must call the
designated number, answering yes
(phone keypad #1) or no (#0) to the
asked questions. Dollar amounts must
also be entered using the keypad. I
am sure others are different, but
every phone in my house has the
keypad on the handset. making
listening and punching at the same
time nearly impossible. Needless to
say, this will not be my choice for
filing this tax season. However. the
site does indicate quick refunds
through Telefile.
If you decide to do your taxes
electronically this year. ensure you
have the latest software version of
whichever product you choose as tax
rules and exemptions change each
year. Also be sure to use a Canada
Revenue certified product.
Contact me at
jlbecker@wightman.ca or through
The Rural Voice office. with
feedback or topic suggestions.0
MARCH 2005 45