The Grumpy Accountant: One Fed-Up Tax Pro's Practical Plan to Fix Canada's Senselessly Complicated Tax System

by Neal Winokur

An entertaining and easy-to-read book about a practical blueprint to simplify Canada's horribly frustratingly overly complicated tax system. The author shares his frustration with a wildly inefficient, impossibly complex and heartlessly impersonal bureaucracy that routinely ensnares honest, hard-working people in its labyrinthine maze. The Grumpy Accountant tells the story of Jerry, a typical Canadian, and George, his trusted grumpy accountant, who guides him through the tax system at every stage in life. The Grumpy Accountant offers 29 critical tax tips for navigating the current broken system, -How to avoid common mistakes that invite CRA scrutiny -How to maximize the tax credits, deductions and benefits that you're entitled to -Tax saving strategies for every stage in college/university, employment/self-employment, marriage, kids, entrepreneurship, and retirement -How to use online tools to keep organized and stay ahead of the game "The clear reasoning, trenchant analysis and solid advice in The Grumpy Accountant should shape an aggressive tax reform agenda for Canada, and the sooner the better!" -Hugh Segal, Mathews Fellow in Global Public Policy, Queen's University "The Grumpy Accountant accomplishes an almost unimaginable literary it's funny and it explains the Canadian tax system. Yes, there are real-life tax tips. And yes, there are intriguing tax policy ideas. But best of all, it's packed with hilarity as characters bumble through Canada's maze of tax regulations and provoke searing satiricial rants from the grumpy accountant. It's like watching a hit sitcom that'll get you a bigger tax refund." -Scott Hennig, President & CEO, Canadian Taxpayers Federation "This book is for all Canadian taxpayers who 'don't know what they don't know' about our tax system. The 29 tips in the book will help you save taxes and avoid costly mistakes. I am going to insist that my kids read it, but since they are Seinfeld fans, it won't be a hard sell (special Easter eggs throughout the book for Seinfeld fans!)" -Robin Taub, CPA, CA, Speaker and Author of The Wisest Investment "It is not easy to find a book on taxation that is fun to read as well as education. The Grumpy Accountant is the story about how an accountant tried to explain a very complicated personal tax system to a hard working individual who understandbly has no clue about taxes except that they are deducted from his paycheque. The argument that the personal tax could be simplified by eliminating special deductions and credits resulting in a substantial reduction in the tax rates is one we have heard before but hopefully Winokur's book will make the persuasive case." -Jack M. Mintz, C.M., President's Fellow, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary

Genres: Nonfiction

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 26, 2020

Reviews

[Gordon Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

THERE’S A PASSAGE from the book of Matthew (18:15-17) where the Lord outlines a process for resolving interpersonal conflict. When that process fails (it happens), he suggests treating the offending party like a pagan or a tax collector.

Reading that passage as a youth, I wondered why tax collectors were singled out and why they merited their own special “reprobate” status. Had someone offered me a copy of Neal Winokur’s, “The Grumpy Accountant,” I would have been provided a definitive answer.

Winokur’s book tells the life story of Jerry and Elaine from the perspective of George, their grumpy accountant. Under their bean counter’s tutelage, they work through various tax issues at different life stages: beginning to end.

That Winokur chose the names of characters from the 90’s sitcom Seinfeld is no joke. That wildly popular show was a favourite because it mocked the absurdities of everyday conventions in modern life. So too, Winokur makes light of how crazy the Canadian tax regime has become. For example:

The Canadian Income Tax Act (CITA) has over 3,000 pages and a million words of text. Buried inside are countless deductions, credits, exemptions, etc. By way of comparison, the bible has 1,086 pages, fewer exemptions and it was 4,000 years in the making.

Canadians will spend upwards of $7 billion, (that’s $7,000,000,000.00) every year, employing accountants and tax professionals to help them with their annual tax filings.

Then, taxpayers will spend a further $4.3 billion employing 40,000 employees tasked with enforcing the Income Tax Act. This is a colossal waste of Canadian’s time, energy, money and resources.

Canada is somewhat unique in our approach to collecting taxes. Other countries manage to collect taxes without all of the costs of filing with our present system. Winokur’s view, until the system is overhauled and simplified, the taxing life story of Jerry and Elaine will ring true for most Canadians. He’s right.

The book includes twenty-eight relevant tax tips for anyone earning a pay cheque in Canada. The tips are explained in easy to read, everyday verbiage. The concepts and their applications are easy to understand.

The book makes a great gift for any individual looking to prudently manage their financial affairs or become more knowledgeable of our tax system.

Finally, you may wish to offer a copy to your local Member of Parliament and ask how they might simplify our tax system. If they pander, answer with platitutdes or refuse to answer, treat that politician like you would a pagan... or a tax collector.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and informative book! Love the characters!

[Joel Freudman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neal's book is very readable, practical, and humorous - accessible to everyone, and can help save them some headache and taxes while they're at it.

[Sean Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Accountant was a great read. Neal somehow managed to make taxes interesting. I really like the book's story format. I could really relate to the characters and learned a lot as I read along. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of taxes. You won't be disappointed!

[Court CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really provides some thought-provoking ideas as to how the Canadian tax system can be revamped AND simplified.  While you may think a book on the Canadian tax system would be dry and boring, Winokur does an excellent job of clearly explaining his solutions to this complex system while also keeping the material light and easy to read.  The Grumpy Accountant reads like a story with a style very similar to The Wealthy Barber.  Any Seinfeld fans out there will particularly enjoy this book as Winokur drops many Seinfeld references throughout the book.  The realistic solution presented to simplify the Canadian tax system would likely benefit all Canadians. Definitely a worthwhile read to consider what an alternative tax system could look like. Neal for Minster of Finance!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely necessary read for any tax-paying Canadian, in part because it’s highly informative of the unnecessarily convoluted and complex Canadian tax system, but also is a highly entertaining, easily digestible read despite involving what one would think of as very dry subject matter. The book doesn’t stop at merely walking the reader through an understanding of how the tax system works, but also (and perhaps more valuably) proposes realistic, sensible and bipartisan solutions to meaningfully simplify its structure to the benefit of quite literally all Canadians. Whether you might be an aspiring politician, an accounting student or just any ordinary Canadian questioning if our tax system can be optimized, this book should absolutely be considered essential reading.

[Ania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the complicated Canadian Tax System.
This book makes you have a lot of sympathy for the suffering of all Canadian accountants.
This book is also funny :).

I am not sure I 100% agree on all the suggested reforms, but I do agree that the system is really stupid in a lot of places and needs to be significantly simplified and improved (and for the love of GOD... aligned with realistic inflation!).

Enjoyed reading! Hope all Canadians who pay taxes read this!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky book that managed to make reading about tax implications across the lifespan of one Canadian enjoyable 👏. The fact that this book exists is delightful. I challenge the author to write a follow-up using a 'choose your own adventure' model. Readers could discover the tax implications of taking post-secondary schooling, getting a divorce, having a child with a disability, winning the lottery etc. The possibilities are endless. Go Neal!!

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading a bunch of personal finance books and this was a quick read (I skipped the parts that weren't relevant to me) and was way funnier than I expected. It combined some tips about taxes and finances while outlining why Canada's tax system is absolutely ridiculous, wasteful and punishing to many. Convincing info on how Canada should reform the system and similar to some other countries, not require yearly filing of taxes. Unfortunately probably won't happen ...

[Cait]

It was a good book for someone new to the tax system. I have the basics and was hoping for something more detailed on how we are taxed on savings, dividends, capital gains and how to manage that throughout different stages in one’s life.
Good overview of the basics and reinforced that I am on the right page.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very valid proposals for simplifying Canada’s income tax system. $50k exemption from filing would mean most Canadians wouldn’t file income tax. A timely read in RSP and tax seasons.

[Jourdier · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on taxes

This book is great. It helps so much in understanding the canadian tax system. I highly recommend it, especially to new comers.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We must put pressure on our politicians to come together, in a non-partisan fashion, on this issue. We might disagree about the ideal tax rate and the ideal amount of tax that people should pay. But we should all agree on the need to simplify the tax system.” Neal, I believe in your dream. This book was not only informative but entertaining. It’s a call to action for every Canadian.

[Karine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and informative!
I'm in school for accounting and I still learned a lot.
the information really sticks in the brain because you can associate concept with the characters life !