Bill C-31: Royal Asset and New CRA Powers Could Come Soon

Changes are coming to the Income Tax Act and both you and your clients will all be affected with new tax risks including longer tax audits. Bill C-31, which passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 3 and is now at committee stage, contains elements of previous Federal Budgets that will expand the CRA’s compliance and enforcement powers. Here’s what you need to know and pass along to your clients:

On February 23, the same day Canadians watched their men soar to gold in hockey over Sweden, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors reported ten points of great news from their meeting in Sydney, Australia.

Don’t forget the RRSP contribution deadline of March 3, to maximize your 2013 RRSP deduction and reduce net and taxable income.

G & J Muirhead Holdings Ltd. v. The Queen (2014) TCC 49, a recently released judgment from the Tax Court of Canada (TCC), serves as an important reminder to all taxpayers that rely on the corporate status of their small business for favourable tax treatment: the personal services business distinction could cost you. 

Are you making choices between investing in a TFSA or an RRSP? Which should come first?

Sophie T.K. Tse successfully achieved her DFA-Tax Services Specialist designation from Knowledge Bureau in 2012. We are pleased to have Sophie as one of our distinguished grads.

From a personal tax perspective, rules surrounding donations were a significant part of the tax changes introduced as part of the 2014 Federal Budget announced on February 11.