Back to School Tax Breaks

Like tax season, back-to-school season rolls around annually with certainty. But in today’s inflationary environment, the start-up costs for getting the family organizing for the school year may seem daunting. The good news is that tax and financial advisors can help clients understand their tax planning options and manage all the receipts that can lead to tax breaks later in the spring during tax filing time. Here’s a primer of topics you may wish to discuss:

It is a saga that continues to cost taxpayers a lot of time and money. It's a fight to get CRA to accept documentation from recipients of foreign pensions who have had foreign tax withholdings and legitimately exercise their rights to use their foreign tax credits to avoid double taxation. The problem is, CRA is double taxing for no good reason and in the process, making it extremely difficult for taxpayers to fight back. Here’s an example:

More changes are coming to how your clients will access Business Registration Online (BRO). Starting July 14, 2026, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) your business clients will only be able to access BRO through their CRA account. As usual, it’s the taxpayer who is responsible for on time remittances and the burden of proof in an increasingly digital relationship with CRA. Here’s what you need to know:

Lower income Canadians will soon receive larger quarterly benefit payments under the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). Replacing the GST/HST benefit, the CGEB includes a one-time top-up beginning June 5, 2026 equal to 50% of a person’s annual benefit, and increased quarterly payments beginning in July.

The Official transcript letter for the period ending June 30, 2026 is now available to Knowledge Bureau students, grads, alumni and esteemed designates. Why is this important? Please review below:  

Small business owners in general are engaging in one of the most dynamic business opportunities in decades as demand for high precision services in the tax, accounting and financial services soar. Are you finding that challenging? You are not alone. Here’s what others are finding and why Knowledge Bureau can help.

The question was simple: “According to CRA, Canadians experience improved service delivery and responsiveness from the CRA this tax season. Do you agree?” The answer almost unanimously no: 92% of Knowledge Bureau Report readers disagreed and they had plenty to say about it, too: