News Room

Confirmed:  The CCR for Small Business is Tax Free

Ottawa has confirmed that the CCR for Small Business received by eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) will be tax free for the 2019-20 to 2023-24 fuel charge years, as will the final payment for the 2024-2025 fuel charge year.  Draft legislation was released on June 30, 2025 with this announcement; and will be introduced for law making in Parliament this Fall.   Some of the more significant details are discussed below.

Andrew Faces Notoriously Dangerous Obstacle

Andrew Brash Update Andrew Brash, Knowledge Bureau Faculty member has settled into the routine at base camp. He and his team are testing rope lines and practicing rope work for the climb ahead. One of the obstacles Andrew and his team will face early in the climb on this side of Mt. Everest is the Khumbu Icefall. This formidable advisory comes with a reputation that proceeds it as one of the most dangerous stages of the South Col route. The Khumbu Icefall is at the head of the Khumbu Glacier, which advances down the mountain three to four feet a day. This movement puts the icefall in a constant state of change ñ crevasses can open up with no notice or be buried under snow, causing climbers to fall in. The icefall is close to base camp and allows climbers to do ëtest runs', exactly what Andrew and his team have done. "Today after years of reading, watching and listening to horror stories about the legendary Khumbu Icefall, I entered it with some trepidation to say the least. What I found was without doubt a serious mountaineering undertaking, but one with which I felt more comfortable than I would have imagined. It was in fact quite a relief to calm my fears concerning this infamous obstacle that is often considered the key to the mountain." We will continue featuring an ongoing update on his climb to the summit as part of Breaking Tax and Investment News or you can track his progress by visiting his website http://www.andrewbrash.com/ for live updates from the expedition. Stay tuned for updates! To book Andrew as a keynote speaker for your next conference or educational event contact The Knowledge Bureau, 1-866-953-4769.  

Incentives for Apprentices

As an incentive to encourage young people to enrol in apprenticeship training programs, the federal government provides the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant which provides $1,000 cash per year to registered apprentices who have completed their first or second year in a designated Red Seal trade program, on or after January 1, 2007. This grant, which was intended to offset the cost of tuition, travel and tools is considered to be employment income and will be reported on at T4 slip for the year in which the grant is received.   The province of British Columbia provides additional incentives through the income tax return.  The BC Training Tax Credit - for Apprentices and Employers provides refundable tax credits for both the apprentices and their employers.  For apprentices in non-Red Seal programs the credit is $1,000 for completion of level 1 and 2 of the program, $2,000 for completion of level 3 and $2,500 for completion of level 4 or higher.  Enhanced grants are available for First Nations individuals and persons with disabilities.  For apprentices in Red Seal programs, no grant is available for completion of the first two levels, but grants for completion of levels 3 and above are the same as for non-Red Seal programs.  

Andrew and His Team Reach Base Camp!

Andrew Brash Update As last week's Breaking Investment News was making it's way to you, Andrew Brash, Knowledge Bureau Faculty member was arriving at base camp on the Nepal side of Mt. Everest. Unlike the Tibetan side, the journey to base camp in Nepal is largely done on foot. ìI had lots of time to think today, about what happened in 2006 (I could even see the last bit of the North Ridge for a moment), about the political events that have brought me and others here, and about home and what I am putting people through back there. However, there were some moments today where I did feel truly happy and excited to be here. The mountains here have to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.î Andrew writes in his online expedition dispatch. The Nepal base camp is 5300m above sea level and only the beginning of the challenges facing Andrew and his team. We will continue to feature an ongoing update on his climb as part of Breaking Tax and Investment News or you can track his progress by visiting his website http://www.andrewbrash.com/ for live updates from the expedition. Stay tuned for updates!

Prescribed Drought Regions for 2007

Did you know that a farmer carrying on business in a prescribed drought region may defer a portion of income earned in the year from sales of breeding animals? The amount of deferral depends on the percentage of reduction of the breeding herd: if the breeding herd is reduced by at least 15%, but less than 30%, then 30% of the sales proceeds (net of purchases) may be deducted in the year of sale; if the breeding herd is reduced by 30% or more, then 90% of the net sales proceeds may be deducted in the year of sale. The deferred amount must be included in income by the first taxation year after the farm is no longer in a prescribed drought region. The current prescribed drought regions are announced annually by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, after the calendar year end. For 2007, the list of designated regions include parts of southern British Columbia, southern Alberta, southwest Saskatchewan and Ontario. Click

Second Quarter Rates

Old Age Security Benefit Rates Unchanged The rates for Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments remain unchanged for another quarter. The rates for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first two quarters of 2008 are:   Benefit 4th Quarter 20071st Quarter 20082nd Quarter 2008 Old Age Security $502.31 GIS - Single pensioner $634.02 GIS - Married to Non-Pensioner $634.02 GIS - Married to a Pensioner $418.68 GIS - Married to a Recipient of the Allowance $418.68 Allowance: Regular $921.00 Allowance: Widowed $1,020.91 Prescribed Interest Rates Remain Unchanged, Too. Prescribed interest rates for the second quarter will remain the same as the first quarter of 2008. 2007 Quarter 2008 Quarter Rates Applicable to: 1 2 3 4   1 2 3 4 Overdue Taxes 9% 9% 9% 9%   8% 8% CPP/EI Premiums 9% 9% 9% 9%   8% 8% Tax Overpayments 7% 7% 7% 7%   6% 6% Taxable Benefits, Low or No Interest Loans 5% 5% 5% 5%   4% 4%

Andrew’s Quest for the Summit Continues

Andrew Brash Update Andrew Brash, Knowledge Bureau Faculty member may be on one of the 20 plus teams in possession of their climbing permit from the Nepal Ministry of Tourism. According to MountEverest.net, more than 20 teams have received climbing permits for Everest, with about 10 plus teams still in the process. The permit contains more specifications than normal. One of the new requirement is: ìAll the news regarding the expedition must be conveyed to the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation first of all, and only then it can be sent to others.î This may be one of the reasons why updates from Andrew have been slow to come. This climbing season is expected to have less climbers than usual ñ about 270 plus locals. We are still monitoring the situation and keeping our fingers crossed. We will continue to feature an ongoing update on his climb as part of Breaking Tax and Investment News or you can track his progress by visiting his website http://www.andrewbrash.com/ for live updates from the expedition. Stay tuned for updates!
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you believe Canada’s tax system based, on self-assessment, has suffered under recent changes at CRA and by Finance Canada? If so, what is the one wish you have for tax reform?

  • Yes
    338 votes
    69.55%
  • No
    148 votes
    30.45%