The UHT May Be Cancelled, But Vacancy Taxes Remain

As tax professionals, you are keenly aware of the constant changes our federal government makes to the Income Tax Act. Adjustments are made, and you must adapt. Not often, though, is a tax eliminated altogether. But in the case of the Underused Housing Tax (UHT), that is exactly what has happened – it was cancelled in the federal budget of November 4, 2025, but Canada’s underused housing taxes have not been eliminated. Here’s what you need to know for tax season 2026.

Looking for new professional development and networking opportunities?  Knowledge Bureau was proud to engage students in two outstanding events on May 26 and 27.  Here is a synopsis of what you missed to inspire you to mark your calendar as we unveil new complimentary and fun events – stay tuned for details!

There’s good news for Canadian families with young children: the first Canada Child Benefit Young Child Supplement (CCBYCS) payments will be issued later this month on May 28. The CCBYCS was initially proposed in the November 2020 Fall Economic Statement to help families cope financially during the pandemic. It received Royal Assent on May 6. Here’s how it works:

TFSA Advantages are back in the news. The CRA has issued a warning about a tax scheme that promises a tax-free opportunity to transfer funds out of an RRSP or RRIF into a TFSA, without regard to the annual TFSA contribution limit using an MIC. That is, a special-purpose mortgage investment company. Sophisticated investors with large RRSP or RRIF balances and significant equity in a personal residence were targeted and could soon be subject to audit. The scheme worked like this:

The stock market has been hot this year, and some investors have been cashing in. Dispositions in non-registered accounts will be taxable and in the case of securities, that can be complex.  Advisors who can illustrate the tax consequences with simple examples will add much-appreciated value. In this first of a series on capital gains and losses, we provide illustrations to assist in conversations, excerpted from the new Advanced Retirement and Estate Planning Course.

Of special interest to financial advisors, RWMs and experienced tax and bookkeeping professionals providing advice to their clients: the new Retirement and Estate Planning Update course is now available and includes the recorded instruction from the May 20 CE Summits.  It’s the perfect solution for those who can’t join us on May 20. Graduates earn 30 CE Credits and a full course credit towards the MFA™- Pension & Estate Services Specialist Designation Program. Take advantage of a long weekend special, too:

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to welcome back Investment Executive and Advisor’s Edge as the exclusive media partners for the 2021 Virtual DAC Acuity Conference from October 17-19.