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 are numerous funding options to help make your professional studies more affordable, including financing available through Knowledge Bureau, funding through each student’s own tax-assisted savings plans, and tax assistance through various CRA tax incentives. However, what can be deducted depends on who you are and what programs you will be involved in.

Help your clients envision their plan for the three stages of retirement based on a holistic, values-based strategy and a consistent process for articulating and measuring a plan to its objectives. This will involve several different approaches to new conversations with clients as you help them set objectives for life, financial and economic milestones after work life. Expand your skillset to help your clients navigate retirement planning with the new CE Savvy™ Collection: Retirement Planning.

The May 1st tax filing deadline is less than 20 days away and tax season is in full swing!  The T1 is not the only tax return due on this day.  The T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement must be filed and this year, a new tax return has been added.  Thankfully, the filing of the new Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Return for 2022, the UHT-2900, has been postponed to October 31, 2023.  But scheduling a return engagement with affected clients is critical:  the tax casts a wider net than originally anticipated and the penalties are high for failure to file.

With a new minimum tax on the horizon after the last federal budget, business owners may be more interested in discussing ways to protect their future wealth.  A retirement compensation arrangement (RCA) may be a way to do that. Tax and financial advisors may wish to come up to speed to engage clients in more high value advice post tax season. Here’s what you’ll want to know:

There is significant complexity for taxpayers who may qualify to claim both attendant care expenses under the medical expense credit and the disability amount.  CRA has provided an excellent guide to making the best claim for your clients.   

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: