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Financial Issues & Answers for Everyone
A thorough analysis of today’s financial news—delivered weekly to your inbox or via social media. As part of Knowledge Bureau’s interactive network, the Report covers current issues on the tax and financial services landscape and provides a wide range of professional benefits, including access to peer-to-peer blogs, opinion polls, online lessons, and vital industry information from Canada’s only multi-disciplinary financial educator.
July 2025 Poll
Do you believe Canada’s tax system based, on self-assessment, has suffered under recent changes at CRA and by Finance Canada? If so, what is the one wish you have for tax reform?
Two CERB Payments Received? Don’t Spend It All at Once
CRA is warning Canadians that if they mistakenly received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit of $2,000 twice, as many reported last week, they will be coming after it. So make sure you don’t spend both payments: audit risk is high. Canadians can expect that verification activities will take place after the fact, as the first priority for government has been to get money promptly into the hands of Canadians who have been suddenly laid off.
An Easter Message from Knowledge Bureau
It’s been a difficult time for so many families in Canada. Some of us have lost loved ones, some of us are not well, most of us are forced apart from our families and friends, and there is no shortage of financial worries. But, with the advent of spring and the opportunity to reflect on resurrection and rebirth through our traditional celebrations, there is always hope for the future. We wish you peace and joy in knowing that soon we will be together again. Please accept our sincerest thanks and best wishes for the privilege of sharing knowledge with you. - Your Knowledge Bureau Team
More Good News: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidies
The federal government announced a third round of enhancements to its Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program on April 8, as it tries to stave off thousands of bankruptcies across the small business community. MPs will need to be recalled to parliament to enact the legislation, which reduces the 30% revenue test to 15% for March only and introduces an alternative method for calculating the revenue. Some employer-paid CPP/EI refunds may also be available.
Future Issues May Arise from Simplified CERB Application Process
It’s money that Canadians needed quickly and the government must be commended for their processing over 4 million CERB applications to date, and close to 2 million this week alone. But are Canadians setting themselves up for a significant audit process in the future? These funds are taxable, and there are additional audit risks that should be a hot topic of discussion for advisors and their clients.
Got Your Digital Subscriptions? There’s a New Tax Deduction
Here’s a social distancing tax tip: convert your in-person newspaper delivery into a digital subscription. If you do, you’ll receive a new tax credit on the 2020 tax return. Here are the details:
