Fuel Excise Tax on Hold But Inflation is Not

The U.S.-Israel war on Iran has thrown global oil prices into turmoil and there is plenty of fallout for consumers. Travelling to Europe this summer? That’s in jeopardy, as jet fuel may run out.  Looking for relief at the pumps instead? The recently announced suspended federal excise tax on gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel and aviation fuel here in Canada will soften the blow, but only temporarily: it will be zero from April 20 to September 7, 2026. Here’s what you need to know:

Despite the recent shutdown for the Heartbleed bug, CRA is back in full swing processing tax returns, 84% of which have been filed online as of March 24. Those who file electronically are getting tax refunds faster – in less than two weeks when all goes as planned.

The Government of Canada will develop a financial consumer code that could better inform and protect Canadian citizens when purchasing financial products and services.

Tax Advisors take note: the Supreme Court of Canada has allowed an appeal from the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) to decide on when civil tax penalties are in fact criminal in nature, and as a result, should be protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The average tax refund in Canada is now over $1620 – and that means millions of dollars of overpaid taxes are being taken out of the hands of average people all year long. At particular risk are employees. 

Siegfried Merten earned his MFA Designation in 2008 and has remained active with Knowledge Bureau as faculty member and Distinguished Advisor Conference attendee. We are pleased to have Siegfried as one of our distinguished grads.

Doug Nelson is author of the newly released Master Your Retirement and shares these wisdoms for retirement income planning.