Navigating Auto Expense Deduction at Year End: What Clients Need to Know

Doubtless you’ve had clients ask whether they can write off any portion of their vehicle for work or business purposes. And your answer, as always, is: “It depends.” The rules are worth reviewing at year end as they can vary significantly depending on how the client earns their income—employee, self-employed, or incorporated – and this is a deduction that’s often audited. Here’s a practical primer to guide that conversation.

It’s a good time to register for our new Winter Study Session:  we’re calling it a training “sprint” and it runs from December 16 to February 15.  You can start anytime at your convenience, but here’s the advantage:  you’ll have another professional credential under your belt before tax season. . .and you’ll save an extra $50 on certificate course tuition, too. Here’s a sneak peek at our newly published courses for the winter session:

In its second economic update since the start of the pandemic, the federal government announced a continuation of pandemic support measures for individuals and business owners. The detailed 237-page Fall Economic Statement outlines a continuation of an unprecedented level of spending over a five-year forecast period. Further, new spending on economic recovery is proposed, in a wide-ranging plan which includes broad-based initiatives as diverse as grants, loans and the recruitment of “energy auditors” for home retrofitting, to new money for a network of quarantine and self-isolation facilities across Canada.

An important but underreported trend in the current pandemic is the reality that 25% of our seniors are caregivers, according to a new report released November 24 by Statistics Canada. Further, over 50% of these seniors need more financial support.  Tax and financial advisors are well positioned to help.  

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Program,  initially presented in draft legislation back in October,  was just approved by the Senate late last Friday. With new lockdowns in place across Canada and rent due next week, many small business owners are stressed, without revenues, and grasping at this latest straw, which is also very complex. But there is some good news in the detail.

Over the past weekend, the government quietly added to their Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) FAQ and updated the application portal, clarifying a number of important questions for business owners on the deeming rule for claim periods 5 to 10, employee bonus and commission in eligible remuneration calculations, and how to handle pay associated with termination when applying for the CEWS. We’ve pulled out the highlights for you:

Now is the right time to enhance your credentials and train your teams for the upcoming tax season, and our Black Friday Sale is here to get you started. This week only: save 55% on tuition when you enrol in any two courses of your choice for $995.