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 government has invested in the Canada Revenue Agency because it brings great returns.  Consider the results in the latest CRA Departmental Report, described below.  Then, consider the additional powers and money behind them granted to the department in the latest federal budget and in particular the concerning new provisions that introduce a Notice of Non-Compliance into the mix.

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to introduce a new Diploma in Advanced Family Tax Compliance.  This comprehensive program is ideal for experienced tax accountants and wealth advisors who require updating in the latest  tax and economic changes from Finance Canada and CRA in order to help clients meet tax filing compliance requirements and family wealth planning objectives.  The program comprises of four online courses, 5 chapters each, and 4 virtual CE Summit events.

Studies have shown that advisors typically spend upwards of 30% of their time in any given week dealing with client investments (re-balancing, trades, compliance, admin). What would it mean for you if you suddenly recaptured a third of your week? Image the savings in time and money if you could reduce overhead or re-assign staff to more productive work! In this impactful session with Michael van Lierop and sponsored by New Outlook Wealth,  learn how to earn the Freedom Dividend only at the 2024 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors November 10-12 in Montreal.

to rethink their approach for managing operations to avoid the unprecedented business closing statistics (refer to prior article this issue).  However,  paying increased attention to financial performance, profitability, and cash flow to meet obligations on both a personal and business level can matter greatly when embracing challenges in the areas of high interest rates, inflation, supply chain management, changes in consumer expectations, and a tight labour market.  Knowledge Bureau’s  newly updated Budgeting & Forecasting for Small Business course helps provide the strategic and technical insight needed and you can enrol now!

Effective August 1, 2024, the government will allow 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homeowners who purchase newly built homes.  For existing mortgage holders who meet specific criteria, “permanent amortization relief” will be available to extend repayment periods for as long as they need to get to the number they can afford to pay monthly. It’s an extension from the 25-year mortgage amortizations previously allowed. However, this isn’t for everyone… there is a significant risk to lifetime wealth creation and must be managed with an eye to interest rates and payment terms to reduce the non-deductible interest costs.  

Did you know there are several options for claiming charitable donations in the year of death that can help to offset expensive tax on the terminal returns?  Here is a run-down of six of them.