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?Become a Digital Advisor of the Future
This week advisors were treated to the secrets behind greater work-life balance and more impactful client relationships with an overview of a new program from Knowledge Bureau: how to become a digital advisor for the future. Did you miss it? You can still listen in, and save money on this new certificate course now till April 30. Here’s what you learn:
Do You Need CE Credits? KB Has New Options!
Did you know 2023 is an important Milestone Year for CE/CPD Credits in the tax and financial services industry? Knowledge Bureau designates need 15 CE Credits by June 30 to relicence their credentials; IIROC Cycle 9 ends on December 31, 2023 and Insurance Council licensing CE credits are due at various times throughout the spring. That’s why Knowledge Bureau is offering 5 new CE options to help you meet your CE requirements before the summer:
The Importance of Privacy Principles in Business
Statistics Canada says that about 1 in every 10 business are impacted by a cyber security or privacy incident. Worse, in a rapidly changing landscape Artificial Intelligence (AI) can now mimic voices and have human-like conversations, draft emails, write articles and books and more – all in a few seconds; think ChatGPT, for example. At a minimum, these transformational changes require a solid understanding of how to meet the accountabilities of privacy and confidentiality. Now you can earn 10 compliance credits from IIROC by completing a new cutting edge course from Knowledge Bureau: Privacy Principles in Business.
Critical Pointers in April Tax Discussions
There are a number of issues to discuss as tax season is now in full swing. To begin, it’s more expensive to owe money to the CRA this quarter and tax and financial advisors will want to advise their clients of important – and potentially expensive - tax filing milestones coming up in the second quarter. There is good news, however, for seniors. Here’s what you need to know:
The Federal Budget: More Taxes to Come
Managing the economy is a complex challenge for government and Canada's near-term economic outlook remains uncertain, according to the March 28, 2023 Federal Budget. For taxpayers, however, there is certainty: the impact of increasing carbon taxes and with that, higher GST costs. This perhaps is the bigger story, based on new information from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, released on March 30.
Is Enough Tax Withheld? Tax Pros Think So
As March came to a close, the CRA had received 9.3 million returns, and according to data to March 13, average tax refund amounts had declined slightly from February: coming in at $2,172. Over the year, the size of the tax refund has been steadily increasing. We asked you to tell us whether CRA should cut back on withholding taxes so that Canadians could keep more in their pockets every two weeks. The no’s won at 62.96%. Here were your comments:
