Fall Federal Budget: Will Spending Be Cut?

Canada has historically presented an annual budget since Confederation in 1867, even through periods like World Wars and the Great Depression, but we have recently experienced the longest period without a full federal budget in our history. By the time the next one is brought down, expected in October 2025, it will have been 18 months since the controversial April 2024 budget which introduced the doomed capital gains inclusion rate hikes. What can we expect?

Despite the pandemic, a recent report finds business owners are remarkably resilient. As tax advisors round out the tax filing seasons with the June 15, 2021 filing deadline for proprietors, it’s a good time to have a high value discussion about what it takes to build long term growth taking root now. The secret may be how effective advisors are in counseling for business growth.  There are certain steps you can follow in the process.

The May 15 enrolment deadline for the Virtual CE Summit taking place on May 20 is approaching fast. After this, the walk-up rate of $695 applies for all new and returning students.  That’s a good reason to act now! But here are 6 more reasons why Retirement, Estate Planning & Budget Updates this May will help you get better results and simplify your efforts with clients.

Need a boost to your spirits these days?  Try winning a sweepstakes (and we have a great one for you).  It turns out everyone likes to win (including monkeys…seriously!) and there’s plenty of science to back up why.

Linda Baldwin, DFA-Tax Services Specialist™ shares how Knowledge Bureau courses have helped her keep up to date on frequent tax changes she’s required to know to operate a successful tax business. Linda also tell us that a Knowledge Bureau education is a requirement for training any new staff she hires.

Tax season is far from over.  As of May 3, only 25.5 million tax returns had been received by CRA with over 30 million expected in total, including those from new filers who received the taxable CERB and CRB payments. So far it has been an overwhelmingly difficult tax season, according to professionals who answered our April poll: “In your view, has CRA’s service level to professional tax advisors improved this year?”. It was conclusive:  97% said no. Here were the challenges faced:

The $30 billion national day care initiative announced in the April 19, 2021 federal budget deserves a deeper dive, especially in conversation with your Millennial clients.  It is important, it will be expensive, but it may not be the right model for the times. The issue has already garnered some important debate that provides a 360 degree lens. There are lots of worries too, ranging from health and safety to financial affordability and tax deductibility.