Fuel Excise Tax on Hold But Inflation is Not

The U.S.-Israel war on Iran has thrown global oil prices into turmoil and there is plenty of fallout for consumers. Travelling to Europe this summer? That’s in jeopardy, as jet fuel may run out.  Looking for relief at the pumps instead? The recently announced suspended federal excise tax on gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation fuel here in Canada will soften the blow, but only temporarily: it will be zero from April 20 to September 7, 2026. Here’s what you need to know:

Happy 150th Birthday, Canada! We at Knowledge Bureau will be taking some time on this extra-special July 1 long weekend to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial, so just for fun, we thought we’d take a look at some financial highlights of the last 150 years.

The prescribed interest rates set by CRA for the third quarter of 2017, July to September, have followed recent trends: there are no changes for the period except for a new 4.47% rate on an election made by foreign corporations regarding PLOIs, Pertinent Loans Or Indebtedness.

On June 22, 2017, Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No 1 received Royal Assent and is now law. 

The penalties have been huge on the over 21,000 files CRA has audited from April 2015 to March 2017: over 885 penalties totalling $17 Million were applied on close to $330 Million in unreported income, mostly in the Toronto and Vancouver markets.

As we approach July 1 and the Canada 150 celebrations, most Canadians who were due to receive a tax refund for the 2016 tax year would have received the funds by now. Be sure to suggest to your clients that they give themselves a big Canada Day gift by using those funds to top up their TFSA.

In the months leading up to Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations, Canadians have been encouraged to get out and explore our great country. And DAC 2017 presents the perfect opportunity for you to head west this November!