News Room

New: Personal Support Workers Tax Credit Coming Soon

Personal support workers will receive billions in increased wages from federal/provincial governments in B.C., Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories.  Those workers in other provinces will now get a raise too, but they will have to wait until filing their 2026 returns in the spring of 2027 to cash in, according to an October 27 pre-budget announcement.  Here are the details:

File by June 1:  Get More Federal Benefits

Today is the day that Canadians who qualify should have received their OAS and CPP government benefits and the next payment is June 26.  But a new tax-free benefit of $300 will also arrive soon.

More Relief: Prescribed Interest Rates Decrease July 1

There’s more financial relief ahead for Canadians, as prescribed interest rates are set to decrease on July 1. That means shareholder loans, inter-spousal investment loans and other taxable benefits likely should be planned for Q3. 

Lend a Hand: Take the Emergency Pandemic Benefits Response Course

If you are looking for that next professional development course that will help you provide high-value advice to your financially stressed clients, take the Pandemic Benefits Response Course online to sort through the chaotic myriad of benefits and all their pitfalls. Every professional in the tax, bookkeeping or financial services must know how to do that. Enrol by May 31 save $100.

Start a New Conversation About Retirement with Your Clients

Now is the right time to start a new conversation about retirement with your clients and give a high-value gift to move it forward. Get your copies of Master Your Retirement, Doug Nelson’s best-selling book – with a special offer.

CEWS Extended until August 29

The federal government extended its Canada Emergency Wage Supplement (CEWS) until August 29 last week, and that’s good news for business struggling to recover as Canada comes out of COVID lockdown. That now extends the program to 24 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

Seniors Get a Covid-19 Payment

Seniors who qualify for some portion of the OAS (Old Age Security) will receive a one-time tax-free payment of $300 from the federal government to help with COVID-related costs while GIS recipients will get $200 more. Further, another tax information filing extension was announced with this news on May 12: this time to October 1, 2020. For those who don’t need the money there are some interesting leveraging and sharing opportunities.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you believe SimpleFile, CRA’s newly revamped automated tax system, will help more Canadians access tax benefits and comply with the tax system?

  • Yes
    5 votes
    7.25%
  • No
    64 votes
    92.75%