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?

Knowledge Bureau’s Evelyn Jacks’ new book  Essential Tax Facts How to Make the Right Tax Moves and Be Audit-Proof, Too has incorporated the latest Federal Budget to help professional advisors and their clients in their relationship with CRA.  Featuring Audit-Buster Checklist and, this book can help you position yourself for greater success, post-tax filing season.

The theme of the 2018 Federal Budget announced February 27 is focused on Equality and Growth, and carries forward the 2017 theme of “a Strong Middle Class”. There are five key areas this budget addresses:

Review specific personal tax provisions announced by the Government in the 2018 Federal Budget.

New 2018 Federal Budget includes business tax provisions addressing tax changes for business income.

Review additional tax provisions announced by the Government in the 2018 Federal Budget.

March 1, 2018 is an important date for savvy taxpayers:  don’t miss topping up your RRSP contribution by this deadline. It’s a great investment for your retirement, of course, but it’s so much more powerful:  there are, in fact, three additional tax secrets most people don’t know about that can help you improve your finances.