Red Ink on the Prairies

A day after Quebec’s Finance Minister Eric Girard brought down a Budget featuring a $6.3 Billion deficit, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled his government’s budget on March 19. Next up was Finance Minister Adrian Salas, who tabled the Manitoba Budget on March 24. The common thread: there’s lots of red ink on the Prairies. But that’s where the budget documents differ between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here’s the latest tax news and why it matters to the advice you give your clients.

Last year, those who owed the CRA owed a lot – over $7,000. Soon, the prescribed interest rates charged by CRA are going up and that could really increase the cost of carrying debt. Tax debtors can save more money by paying up before April 1. Here’s why

Is it reportable or not?  Many taxpayers are confused about the various government support programs they have been entitled to in 2022 and 2023.  As a general rule, if a support payment is taxable, there will be a T4A or T4E showing the amount to be reported as income.  But if any of the amounts itemized below -  inflation support measures – were received, they won’t be reportable. 

It’s true: nothing is as certain as death, taxes and tax change!  That’s perhaps why almost 60% of Canadians get someone else to do their tax return, according the CRA.  Do you know what this sounds like to us? OPPORTUNITY! 

Did you know as many as 1 in 10 Canadians don't file their taxes?  Canadians who don't file their income tax returns may be shocked to find out how much money they're owed by the federal government for years of missed benefits.  The tax benefits lost to working-age non-filers was about $1.7 billion, according to an award winning research paper[1].

President and CEO of Knowledge Bureau, Evelyn Jacks, joins Derek Notman and H. Adam Holt on their podcast, Rethink. Financial Advice, and discusses a variety of issues critical to the future of the tax and financial services industry: what's on the horizon for advisors and how to best prepare for the headwinds affecting us all. You’ll want to take this in.

The 2022 version of Form T777 Statement of Employment Expenses is available and worth a detailed look. Employees who have a T2200 form signed by their employer may use this form to claim their home office and other expenses. In addition there is a new section for the claiming of the new labour mobility deduction for an eligible tradesperson.  Following are tax tips you should take note of in 2022.