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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?
EI Benefits for the Self-Employed: Who Should Opt-In?
June 17 is an important date for the self-employed. Not only is it the tax filing deadline (as June 15 falls on a weekend), it’s also an opportunity to decide whether or not to start contributing to the Employment Insurance (EI) program. There are trade-offs that small business owners need to take into consideration, and advisors play an important role in this decision-making process.
Roadblocks Removed: Financial Planning for Seniors & Disabled Canadians
Financial planning for critical long-term care and disability has been a complex process for advisors in Canada. But a recent Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decision regarding whether the absolute discretionary trust (Henson trust), which is designed to protect a disabled person’s assets, brings national clarity to the issue of whether or not this estate-planning tool can impact a disabled person’s eligibility for other benefits and credits.
Resounding Success: Inaugural Vantage Series Event
Together with our partner, The Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC), Knowledge Bureau is very pleased to report that our inaugural Vantage Series Event, held on May 9th at the National Club in Toronto, was a resounding success. Read on to find out why, and mark your calendars for the next Vantage event on October 31.
Graduates in the News – Paula Baker, DFA-Tax Service Specialist™
Paula Baker has been working in the tax service industry since 2005. In 2010, she opened her own Liberty Tax franchise, and later pursued her DFA-Tax Services Specialist™ designation with Knowledge Bureau, after selling her franchise to work from home. Even with a wealth of experience she chose to enhance her education, because: “When I first entered the world of taxes I quickly realized that knowledge was important. Taxes are complicated, and Knowledge Bureau allowed me to expand my knowledge which, in turn, allowed me to support and guide my clients in the right direction. I worked through the courses and now have my designation.”
A Disconnect? CRA Consultation Launches at the Height of Tax Season
On April 23rd, the height of the rush to the April 30 filing deadline, the CRA launched an online public consultation, requesting feedback on service improvements. Worse, the feedback period closes on June 18 and that’s only one day after the June 17 proprietorship filing deadline. It would appear to be unfortunate timing considering professionals file 58% of all returns.
