November 2025 Poll

Do you believe the November 4 Federal Budget addressed the key financial issues your clients need to see from their Finance Department and the CRA?

Say tuned this Friday, January 31 when CRA is set to release its capital gains calculation forms.  Will they include the proposed new capital gains inclusion rate calculations?  Recall the April 2024 Budget, when our now resigned finance minister Chrystia Freeland announced that the proportion of capital gains that qualify as taxable income would be increased for some tax filers. Is it law?  No.  What should tax filers do?

Many small businesses are currently receiving the long-awaited Canada Carbon Rebate, and for some it’s a sizable sum.  Is it taxable?  It shouldn’t be, according to an announcement made by the Finance Minister last November after the CFIB raised the issue.  In fact, its written statement on the matter on its website also casts this as a tax-free payment.  But did you know, the law says something different?

New! Get hooked on preparing income taxes for tax season 2025 with dozens of true-to-life case studies using professional tax software to build your confidence.  It’s Knowledge Bureau’s Canada’s Income Tax Fundamentals, now available for online training.  It features a dynamic 3 hour instructional overview  - worth the price of admission on it’s own plus personal instructor support!  It’s perfect for anyone new to personal tax filing - really valuable for career development in tax preparation or financial services.  Here are the details.

Get ready for the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors experience in Puerto Vallarta, November 23-26, 2025 where we’ll be gathering for 4 days of mornings in session, afternoons in the sun, and fun and fiesta at night! We’re pleased to announce our official conference venue: the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Centre. This is an All Inclusive resort experience at exclusive prices for KB Delegates. Check out the details and register for the conference now and you'll receive access to book your hotel room! Team member and group rates available.

There have been recent changes in the mechanics of how trusts function, including the Graduated Rate Estate (GRE) rules along with new rules in regard to which trusts are required to file a return every year regardless of whether or not there is income to be reported for trusts with taxation years ending after December 30, 2023. The deadline for filing those return is no later than 90 days after the trust's tax year-end. This is generally December 31. Therefore, trusts with a December 31, 2024, must file a T3 by March 31, 2025.

Taxpayers who own a residential property and rent it out must be aware that income reporting is required in most cases.  Further if the rental was for periods of less than 90 days, expenses to offset that income could be restricted.  These Short Term Rental (STR) rules are new for the 2024 tax year.  Here’s what you need to know based on recent directives from Finance Canada and the CRA, which includes a brief reprieve for some STR owners in 2024: