Time is Running Out for First-Time Home Buyers to Save in 2024

Owning a home, once almost considered a right of Canadian citizenship, has become a more distant dream for millions. The high cost of housing, coupled with a desperate shortage of supply, has turned the notion of home ownership into a near impossibility for many Canadians and those who have arrived in our country more recently.  The Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) can help but it’s important to open an account before December 31, 2024 to create and preserve the contribution room.

CRA has confirmed the indexing rate of 2.7% for 2025 on various income tested provisions and including personal amounts applied to reduce taxes payable.  This also applies to ALDAs, which provide a unique additional way to defer income from taxation in the case of healthy, affluent seniors.  Here’s what’s to know:

The federal government has confirmed its final numbers to reflect the 2.7% indexing rate to be applied to personal amounts in 2025.  Knowledge Bureau published the amounts several weeks ago, and was within a dollar on most estimations.  Here are the final numbers for year-end tax planning purposes:

Register now for the CE Savvy Summit: 2025 Advanced T1 Personal Tax Update! All the updated knowledge and resources a tax or financial professional needs, including expert instruction on 2024 T1 Completion and Tax Planning for 2025. Virtual and in-person events in select cities this January – register by January 10 early-bird deadline for tuition savings and take advantage of new team member rates to prepare your staff for the upcoming tax season.

These Distinguished Fellows are honored for their distinguished services as influential thought leaders, who have demonstrated a commitment to the noble cause of teaching and writing by engaging others in the high standards of knowledge they share. In doing so, they have also demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to shaping the future of the tax, accounting and financial services industries. Browse our newly updated FDFS™ Directory   and join us in congratulating our 2025 honourees.

The tax and accounting profession is facing a severe crisis due to a shortage of qualified accountants, according to a report from the Association of Certified Professional Accountants, and Knowledge Bureau can help. Enrol now in comprehensive, specialized certificate courses – Graduate in time for Tax Season. Custom design your learning plan:

With a score of 2.8 out of three stars, the 2024 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors officially wrapped up in Montreal this week and was met with rave reviews from our attendees! 100% of attendees said they would recommend this conference to others.  Thought leaders, newsmakers and news breakers from across Canada moved the needle in the direction of system change as delegates explored the theme, Safe Havens:  Securing Financial Freedom and Wealth Potential.  Says Evelyn Jacks, President of Knowledge Bureau, “The prevailing consensus pointed to the need to remove obstacles, including regulatory overreach, and to do so with the power of multi-disciplinary collaboration and connection.”