The UHT May Be Cancelled, But Vacancy Taxes Remain
As tax professionals, you are keenly aware of the constant changes our federal government makes to the Income Tax Act. Adjustments are made, and you must adapt. Not often, though, is a tax eliminated altogether. But in the case of the Underused Housing Tax (UHT), that is exactly what has happened – it was cancelled in the federal budget of November 4, 2025, but Canada’s underused housing taxes have not been eliminated. Here’s what you need to know for tax season 2026.Finally: Details on the 75% Employer Wage Subsidy
The distance from Friday to Wednesday can seem like an eternity when hope hangs on the promise of a 75% wage subsidy. The details were finally announced on April 1, which we are sharing today. But the euphoric moment is somewhat muted as the fine print includes uncertainty, complexity and the reality that money will not flow for six weeks. This may be devastating for businesses trying to avoid bankruptcy at this critical time.
Additional Support for SMEs: New EI Work Sharing Program
As the coronavirus Pandemic spreads in Canada, employers who face reduced revenues can try to avoid layoffs with the 75% Wage Subsidy Program. A second line of defense is a new EI Work-Sharing (WS) Program. Previously available only in the forestry, steel and aluminum business, there is now no restriction to a particular industry. Here’s a checklist of information for bookkeepers, tax and financial advisors to share with small business clients.
GST/HST Remittance Requirements Postponed
There’s more good news for small business owners affected by the pandemic. On March 27, the federal government announced that it’s deferring payments of all GST/HST remittances until June 30, 2020. Here are the details:
Timing is Everything: How to Apply, and Apply Again for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
Canadians can apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) starting on April 6, but the government is hoping to flatten the curve of responses by having affected Canadians in a specific order, by birth month. Here’s how it will work:
The All New Virtual CE Summits
The All New Virtual CE Summits will be introduced to you on April 22 and May 13. We are so pleased to combine the power of a robust online learning course with an interactive Zoom Meeting platform with your instructors on May 13 to discuss the details of the COVID-19 Emergency Response provisions. Please mark your calendar now.
The Costs and Timelines: The Debt and Deficit are Ballooning
The government released costing and timelines for its various pandemic response provisions on April 1 and this, co-mingled with reports from the Parliamentary Budget Officer indicates a steep climb back to fiscal health once the pandemic crisis is over. Tax and financial advisors will want to shore up their knowledge on managing individual and family balance sheets against a future back drop of slow economic growth and potentially much higher taxes.
