News Room

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:

Disability Tax Credit – What’s Current, What’s New and When

Taxpayers in Canada who have a severe and prolonged impairment of physical or mental function will qualify for the disability amount if they get their doctor (or nurse practitioner) to attest to that on Form T2201 Disability Tax Credit Certificate, sent the completed form to CRA and CRA approves the claim based on the T2201. The April 2022 Federal Budget introduced a number of changes to the criteria for eligibility for the credit, but these will only be available once the legislation (included in Bill C-19) receives Royal Assent. This is imminent at the time of writing. Here are the details:

Disability Income Supplement: New Income Source for Those Under 65?

After spending close to $12 million to reform government processes and rollout new federal disability programming, the government reintroduced legislation to create the New Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) on June 2.  It is meant for those under age 65, but it is unclear when this new income-tested source will actually be in the hands of the disabled and in what amounts. Here is what we know so far:

MFA-P™ Discovery Seminar…Today! Can Advisors Build Their Business by Supporting Their Community?

There’s still time to join us today, June 23 at 12 PM CST/ 1:00 PM EST to spend some time discussing how professional advisors and charity professionals  can work collaboratively to enhance the client/donor experience.  Lead by panelists MFA-P™ alumni Candice Jay and Aneil Gokhale, this MFA-P™ Discovery Seminar is one you don’t want to miss!  RSVP now!

DAC 2022: Financial Peace of Mind Through the Emotional Despair of Climate Change

Most advisors know how difficult it is to discuss financial matters when there are other issues in the family:  conflict, disability or financial worry. Imagine this barrier:  how to unlock the deep moral injury young people feel about the institutional and generational betrayal of their mindset; in particular, their significant distress about the enormous existential threat they face in their future.  Learn more about why this matters in tax and financial planning with Dr. Britt Wray at DAC Acuity 2022 in Niagara Falls, October 16-18.

Grads in the News – Grace Xin, MFA-P

Recent MFA-P™ Graduate, Grace Xin shares how taking the MFA-P program has helped build her career as a newcomer in the charitable sector. She says, “charitable giving can be done in so many creative ways to maximize impact while achieving financial goals at the same time. The MFA-P course is an amazing key to open so many doors of strategic philanthropy.” Please join us in congratulating Grace on her achievements and learn more about her story:

Tax Processing Logjam 2021 Ends for Teachers & Others

Bill C-8 received Royal Assent on June 9, signalling the imminent release of held back 2021 tax returns for those taxpayers making new claims in three specific profiles: educators, northern residents and farmers. In addition, small business owners will be able to claim a new tax credit for building ventilation improvements and non-resident real estate holders will pay more taxes to Canada in 2023.  Here’s what you need to know:
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you believe SimpleFile, CRA’s newly revamped automated tax system, will help more Canadians access tax benefits and comply with the tax system?

  • Yes
    4 votes
    10.53%
  • No
    34 votes
    89.47%