Finance Canada Drops Draft Legislation August 15
All professional tax practitioners, financial advisors should take note of an important mid-summer release of draft legislation to implement some of the proposals from the November 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the April 2024 Budget, the EIFEL rules announced on August 12, 2024, and rules relating to passive income of foreign affiliates announced in the 2022 federal budget. This draft legislation also introduces more modifications to new trust filing requirements. Brief highlights appear below; technical details will be discussed in the September 17 and November 5 CE Summits and Knowledge Bureau’s certificate course on T3 Filings.Audit Potential: Personal Services Businesses
In 2022 CRA launched a pilot project on the activities of Personal Services Businesses (PSBs) and the companies that hire them. Unfortunately, it appears there is tax audit pain ahead for some of these entities, and potentially those who hire them. Tax preparers, it seems, haven’t gotten the T2 filing requirements right, either.
Representing a Tax Client Who is a Newcomer
Effective July 15, 2025, the procedures for Representing a Client have changed and this can in particular effect tax filings for newcomers to Canada. Rather than requesting the authorization through tax filing software, which was done pre-July 15, the newcomer authorize the representative through the digital My Account, which requires specific criteria to be met. And that’s where the barriers to access begin. Read on to learn more:
Real Wealth in Action: What Iceland Can Teach Us About Financial Peace of Mind
As Chair of the Society of Real Wealth Managers, Kristin Ramlal, B. Comm (Hons.), PFP, CIM, FCSI, RWM™, MFA-P™, FDFS™ brings both a global perspective and a deep commitment to redefining financial success beyond numbers on a statement. In this reflection, she draws on insights from a recent visit to Iceland, where economic policies, social systems, and cultural values intersect to create a society with exceptional financial security and quality of life - to explore what Canadian financial professionals and policymakers can learn about fostering true real wealth for all.
Master the New T3 Trust Filing Rules
The trust tax landscape in Canada is undergoing its most significant transformation in years. Starting in 2025, all trusts will be required to file T3 returns - including those that historically did not file because there was no income to report, such as bare trusts. For tax and financial advisors, these changes represent both a compliance challenge and a business opportunity. Knowledge Bureau’s Filing T3 Trust Returns course provides the expertise you need to meet new obligations and help clients make smarter intergenerational tax and estate planning decisions.
Maintaining Professional Credentials with Knowledge Bureau
Did you know that for graduates who earn a Designation from Knowledge Bureau, earning the credential is only the first step. To keep these designations active, graduates must complete an annual relicensing process. This ensures they remain up to date with legislative changes, regulatory requirements, and the highest standards of professional practice.
Tax Pros: Canada’s Tax System Has Taken a Big Hit
Canada’s tax and financial pros weighed in enthusiastically on last month’s two-part Knowledge Bureau Report Opinion Poll in which we asked: "Do you believe Canada’s tax system based on self-assessment, has suffered under recent changes at CRA and by Finance Canada?" 71% said yes. Part 2 was this question: "If so, what is the one wish you have for tax reform?" The responses were very interesting:
