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?

“The Future is No Clearer”. This according to the Bank of Canada Governor who announced on April 16 that he is holding interest rates at their current level.  Nonetheless, Knowledge Bureau will tackle the subject with authority and practicality at the May 21 CE Summit.  The subjects:  Tax Year 2025 - New Taxes or New Benefits across the Provinces and with a new federal government.  Also, Planning with Trusts – Bare Trust, Special Trusts, Post-Mortem, Retirement Income Planning across four client profiles and embracing wealth planning opportunities with tax efficiency.  Get the whole story, interpret it and share your knowledge during our live virtual CE Savvy Summit on May 21.  Save Money, Register by May 15. Here’s more:

Are you missing the T slips you need to accurately file tax returns this year?  It’s CRA’s problem, but the consequence is on the taxpayer. Here’s the backdrop and what you can do to help clients avoid paying penalties and interest for missing slips:

Canadians find themselves in an eagerly awaited election campaign in which MPs (Members of Parliament) will make decisions about how to collect and spend your tax dollars.  Are you ready to interview these candidates for their job?   Here are 13 questions – a baker’s dozen – you might wish to draw from to help you decide on the qualifications.  But, you won’t get to ask them all - political candidates aim to spend no more than 90 seconds on any doorstep to give a quick pitch and ask for support – so choose wisely and listen to answers carefully.

Tax season is “taxing” for all the familiar reasons – the deadlines, the missing information and the shock some taxpayers are facing in light of the tariff fallout and for some the fact they may need to pay CRA instead of receiving the expected refund.  There is a big emotional toll tax specialist can bear as well, for example, when hearing of a new disability, a death in the family, or the demise of a business.  In these volatile times, there may be more of the latter, unfortunately.  Here is what to know as these difficult conversations begin to unfold.

The “R” word is emerging daily as market volatility continues in response to the global trade war initiated by the U.S.  How do you explain this to clients and guide them through this period of instability and uncertainty?  Here are some thoughts:

Knowledge Bureau is honored and proud to introduce the distinguished partners at the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors, November 23-26 in Puerto Vallarta Mexico.  Please check out their unique value propositions in the financial services industries they serve and click on their logos on the official conference page for more information.  Then check out the amazing agenda - so far – for this thought leadership event.  A great way to earn CE/CPD credits and network with an outstanding audience of leaders from coast-to-coast: