Opportunity: Canadian Dollar Stabilizes, Somewhat
Things have started to turn around for the Canadian dollar in the second quarter of 2025. It hit a 22 year low in January of 2025. Investors and property owners, who have been swooning at the high burn rate in their travel plans and property maintenance abroad, may wish to consider recent more positive trends and consider some risk mitigation opportunities now that the dollar is stabilizing somewhat.Back to School: Canada Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that family doctors, family medical residents in an accredited medical school and nurses or nurse practitioners, including registered psychiatric nurses, registered practical nurses, licensed practical nurses, or nurse practitioners can receive federal student loan forgiveness? In addition, the province of Saskatchewan offers loan forgiveness to nurses and nurse practitioners. This important financial provision comes with strings attached, however: the professionals must work in an under-served rural or remote community to qualify. Plus, there is a short window of time to make application. That brings a host of planning opportunities with tax and financial professionals. Here are the details:
The Rising Tide of Bankruptcy in Canada: A Growing Challenge for Seniors
As financial advisors, we are privy to the evolving financial landscapes of our clients' lives. In recent months, a concerning trend has emerged in Canada: a sharp rise in insolvency rates. This alarming development is creating a ripple effect that is impacting an unexpected demographic—our older, retired clients. Increasingly, we are seeing these individuals draw upon their retirement savings to financially support their adult children who are facing bankruptcy.
Claiming Tuition Tax Benefits: What Are Your Net Tuition Fees?
Saving up to make tuition fee payments is always an obsession for post-secondary students and their supporting individuals, but tuition fee tax credits, together with the Canada Training Credit, available to those aged 26 to 65 as at the end of December this year, can bring significant tax savings to help make it all more affordable. Here are some tax tips and true-to-life examples for minimizing your back-to-school spend:
New Entrants Needed as Millions Use Tax Prep Services
Close to 18 million tax returns are filed by professional EFILE Services in tax season 2023 – 59.5% of all tax returns filed in Canada, according to CRA’s income tax statistics. This speaks to the tremendous opportunities available in mentoring new tax preparers throughout the summer and fall to prepare for tax season 2024. But in our June poll, 60% of respondents told us it was difficult to attract and engage new entrants.
Grad in the News – Harvey Agustin, RRC® CFP® CLU® CHS™ CEA® MFA-P™ RWM™
This month, Knowledge Bureau Report celebrates the achievements of Harvey Agustin, an outstanding professional from Calgary, Alberta who has recently designated as and RWM™ - Real Wealth Manager and an MFA-P™ - Philanthropic Services Specialist. He tells us what these achievements have meant to him.
Summer Time is the Right Time to Train as a Specialist
Good news! It’s officially the farthest month between tax seasons, but time will march quickly on the journey towards 2024, when highly trained personal tax specialists will again be in high demand. That’s why July is such a good month to commit to Knowledge Bureau’s Tax Training School, featuring the DMA™-Personal Tax Services Specialist program and its six professional courses, updated for 2023 tax filing requirements, and available for continuous intake now.
