The Gateway:  Maximizing the Impact of the Disability Tax Credit

In addition to reducing income tax through a non-refundable credit, the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) serves as a gateway to a wide range of additional tax benefits and government programs. Eligibility for the DTC can unlock enhanced credits, financial supplements, and long-term savings opportunities that go well beyond the tax return. Understanding how the DTC connects to these broader supports is essential for maximizing financial stability—both for individuals living with disabilities and the family members who support them.  Unfortunately, many taxpayers miss this credit and their tax and financial advisors can certainly help when this happens.

Shake out the cobwebs and sharpen your tax knowledge with Canada’s most popular advanced tax update featuring a detailed line-by-line approach to the new 2018 forms and schedules from the CRA. The national tour featuring keynote speaker Evelyn Jacks and an outstanding faculty of experienced instructors starts Thursday January 17 in Winnipeg; then arrives Monday the 21 in Toronto ; Ottawa on the 22, Calgary on the 23, Edmonton on the 24 and Vancouver on the 25th.  Don’t miss out - there are only a few spots left so call or enroll online today.

A newly updated certificate tax course focused on the dramatic changes to tax planning for corporate owner-managers is launching today. It’s so important that its updater, Dr. Dean Smith of Cadesky Tax says that advisors who do not understand these rules may very well cause harm to their clients. Here’s why:

As a newcomer to Canada, Iqbal Sidhu shares how his Knowledge Bureau education helped him transition into a new career path in professional tax filing as a result of his successful pursuit of the DFA – Tax Services Specialist designation:

The most awaited tax change for the broadest base of taxpayers is the legislation allowing the government to automatically compute the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) for tax year 2019. This benefit will replace the current Working Income Tax Benefit. But, it requires designated educational institutions to report for each student whether they are studying on a full- or part-time basis so that their eligibility for the CWB can be determined.

Happy 2019! Welcome back to Knowledge Bureau Report and to what’s sure to be a fascinating year for interpreting tax and financial news, based on recent stock market volatility and significant tax change. It’s an election year, too, so broadly misunderstood tax reforms recently introduced will likely re-emerge for debate. What lies ahead for 2019? Here are just some of the facts Canadians should know.

Did you check your odometer reading at the start of the year? Finance Canada confirmed its 2019 auto expense rates on December 27, but they don’t quite measure up to cover the carbon taxes that increase the cost of driving, including the increased gas prices as of January 1. Those who use passenger vehicles for business will be disappointed that their write-offs haven’t changed at all, unless a new vehicle was purchased after November 20, 2018.