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:

There is a lot to consider this upcoming tax season when it comes to filing personal returns and increased risk for investors and owner managers. Are you prepared to help? Take a duo of CE Summits with Knowledge Bureau this November and January and get the tools you need to help a variety of client profiles. Plus, you save on tuition with a Duo CE Summit Event Pass!

Don’t miss the opportunity to mingle with members of our DAC 2023 bronze partner organizations in Banff this November 12-14. We’re pleased to welcome back Fraser and Partners, Manulife Bank, The Institute, and Investment Executive and Advisors’ Edge as our exclusive media sponsor for our 20th anniversary extravaganza! Final registration deadline for tuition savings: October 30.

It seems like a long time ago. On November 21, 2018, the federal government introduced an Accelerated Investment Incentive (AII) to enhance first-year Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) claims and allow for businesses to fully expense new asset acquisitions, certain machinery and equipment, including clean energy equipment.  Some of these tax incentives will start phasing out after 2023, making this year end an important one for new investments.  Here’s an overview. Be sure to book time to have these important discussions with your business owner clients soon.

When it comes to CRA, it will almost always be very costly to challenge reassessments in court.  Two recent court cases proved an old adage:  you win some, you lose some.  In the first case, a taxpayer tried to shift the burden of proof to their accountant and in another case when hardship was given as the reason for filing GST/HST and T1135 returns late. The silver lining is that the legal costs are deductible.  Here’s what happened:

The U.S. Gift tax is one part of the American transfer tax system. It was introduced in 1932 as a backstop to the U.S. estate tax.  Without the gift tax, large estates could be reduced by simply giving everything away prior to death. The gift tax was and still is not meant to raise revenue per se. Do Canadians have to worry about having to pay this tax? Possibly.  Here’s a primer of what you need to know.

Year-end tax and investment strategies for individuals and small business owners in the context of the current environment has significantly changed. Think AMT on donations and intergenerational transfer rules that can increase tax risk in 2024. Learn more from Evelyn Jacks and special guests Alan Rowell and Carol Willes at the November 1 Virtual CE Summits.  A comprehensive full day virtual event, the CE Summit also includes access to a comprehensive new CE Savvy Collection Entitled New Issues in Year End Tax Planning and up to 15 CE Credits. Check out the agenda below and register by the October 15 early-bird deadline!