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?

Are you providing an evidence-based and unbiased determination of your clients’ risk profile? Unsure? Be sure to register for DAC 2016 to hear Shawn Brayman speak about why this is critically important.

It’s time for a little summertime R & R, so here’s how our publishing schedule will shake out: There will be no issue of KBR on July 6, 27, August 3 or 31. Enjoy the sunshine, because . . . Christmas is less than six months away!

"Find out who you are and be that person. That's what your soul was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come." Ellen DeGeneres

Did you incur legal fees in order to collect money owed to you for severance, pension benefits or a retiring allowance? You may claim those expenses as Other Deductions on the tax return. But there are a few catches.

This week, Canada’s finance ministers met in Vancouver and agreed in principle to the expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) over a seven-year phase-in period, starting January 1, 2019. Higher contributions by workers and their employers will result. But will the revamped CPP be enough to provide for the retirement security Canadians need?

The Underground Economy grew 3.8% between 2012 and 2013, but is considered “stable”  based on CRA’s June 20th revised estimate report for the period 1992-2013.  Still, it’s growing at the same rate as the GDP – 2.45% - and is estimated to be close to $46 Billion in size.  So who is skirting their tax obligations?