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.

As a Distinguished Advisor, you know the importance of learning best practices and staying informed about the latest developments in the financial services industry.  Together, Canada's top publications for financial advisors - the 2024 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors returning media sponsors -  will ensure you remain at the top of your game. Knowledge Bureau is pleased to welcome back Advisor.ca and Investment Executive as our media sponsors for Acuity 2024 in Montreal November 10-12. Learn more about them below:

Millions of Canadian investors and their advisors must prepare themselves for lower dividend distributions and those once or twice-in-a-lifetime financial events as a result of the new capital gains inclusion rate of 66 2/3 percent on gains over $250,000.  Larry Frostiak, FCPA, FCA, CFP, TEP, RWM™, FDFS™,  founding partner of Frostiak & Leslie Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.  will discuss the broad implications from a Year End Planning perspective at the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors in Montreal November 10-12.  But in the meantime, the June 25 deadline fast approaches and critical conversations must take place, for the reasons outlined below:

Providing ESOPs is a way of helping start-up businesses to attract high-value employees despite their lack of capital to pay the larger salaries.  Because larger companies were using stock options as a form of compensation for higher-income employees effectively reducing the taxes paid by such employees, a limit was placed on the amount of stock options that were eligible for this treatment for employees of large companies. Now proposed changes to the Capital Gains Inclusion Rates (CGIRs) will make this even more complex.

A claim for home office expenses is common, but there are changes this year which are fraught with audit risk.  The simplified claim method in place for 2020, 2021 and 2022 tax filing years has ended and so the “detailed method” must be used.  The self employed have more latitude in claiming expenses but for employees a special tax trap is the claiming of supplies used up in the course of employment duties. Here’s what you need to know: 

Registering to take certificate courses under our Specialized Credentials Programs or Continuing Education including CE Savvy Summit passes and the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors (DAC)?  Take advantage of tuition fee savings this month and find out more about our tuition fee payment options below:

June 25 is fast approaching, and advisors have an important role to play in ensuring that this trigger date for the higher inclusion rates will not unduly upset retirement and estate plans.  How can you help clients? This article focuses on 5 things to focus on when planning with your clients, and you can take a deeper dive with the CE Savvy™ Summits Advanced Retirement & Estate Planning Course. Register with a special enrolment offer until June 30 (save $100).