Finance Canada: No More Spring Budgets

Finance Canada announced on October 7 that Canada’s federal budgets will be brought down in the fall starting with the November 4, 2025 event; a significant departure from the spring schedule (February, March or April) that has been the cycle for several decades. This is going to affect many other events as we know them, and in the annual government spending approval cycle. There will also be a new budget process for capital vs. operational expenses. Here’s what you need to know:

No, this isn’t fake news or a late day Halloween trick:  the CRA announced just before 2 p.m. on October 31 that they are indeed extending the deadline for the filing of the UHT-2900 return.  This return was due at midnight on October 31 to report residential property ownership for the 2022 calendar year.  The new deadline is April 30, 2024.  No interest or penalties will be levied in the meantime.   The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a controversial new tax in Canada because it is much more broad-based than first announced. This and more year end tax planning news will be covered in tomorrow’s Virtual CE Summit from Knowledge Bureau, available in a recorded online version after the event. 

There are 6.2 million persons with disabilities in Canada, 23% of whom live in poverty. Soon there will be tax-assisted relief, but unfortunately not for at least a year.  The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) was passed into law under Bill C-22, June 22, 2023 to help. The payments are expected to start in December 2024 and delivered through the tax system.  In the meantime, people living with disabilities and their caregivers can inform themselves of existing tax support for the 2023 tax year and the time to get ready is now.  Here’s what you need to know: 

In a recent Tax Court of Canada Case a taxpayer won and important appeal when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) invoked the General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) on October 17, 2021.  Here’s what happened:

The RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) is an excellent savings vehicle to build future pension assets for disabled people, all with generous government matching support.  An important deadline was approaching on December 31, 2023 regarding the status of Qualifying Family Members (QFMs).  Thanks to the March 2023 budget, however, this has now been extended.  Here are the details.

Investors in residential real estate – both non-residents and some Canadians - must file their first UHT return by October 31.  Beyond this, a small but important window is available to prepare individuals, trusts and private businesses for new tax eroders before the end of 2023.  For these reasons, Knowledge Bureau is presenting four important professional development days – November 1, January 17, 25 and 26, accompanied by new online micro-course collections.  Details below.

According to the 2024 Canada Salary Guide released by Robert Half, Competition is intense for skilled finance and accounting talent, and top candidates often receive multiple job offers. Some employers prefer to hold out for experienced professionals with in-demand skills, but that approach can result in overlooking high-potential candidates. To overcome staffing gaps, managers are considering people who may need technical training but have polished soft skills. Knowledge Bureau’s programs and courses leading to specialized credentials can help prepare business owners in the field with technical training their new hires need in tax and accounting.