Red Ink on the Prairies

A day after Quebec’s Finance Minister Eric Girard brought down a Budget featuring a $6.3 Billion deficit, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled his government’s budget on March 19. Next up was Finance Minister Adrian Salas, who tabled the Manitoba Budget on March 24. The common thread: there’s lots of red ink on the Prairies. But that’s where the budget documents differ between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here’s the latest tax news and why it matters to the advice you give your clients.

Here’s a social distancing tax tip:  convert your in-person newspaper delivery into a digital subscription.  If you do, you’ll receive a new tax credit on the 2020 tax return. Here are the details:

The federal government pushed out this year’s tax filing deadlines in order to relieve some pressure on taxpayers, professionals, and CRA staff all coping with the effects of the pandemic. Has tax season slowed down as a result? It doesn’t really appear so when you compare the first month of tax filing season to the most recent statistics released by the government.

It's a different type of post-Easter treat savings! Treat yourself to a new  professional development opportunity.  Available only until April 15. . . when you enrol in a Designation program. We've also waived instalment fees on our EZ-Pay plan.

Canadians can start to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) this week and there are some new details to be aware of.  Here’s how it will work:

The distance from Friday to Wednesday can seem like an eternity when hope hangs on the promise of a 75% wage subsidy. The details were finally announced on April 1, which we are sharing today. But the euphoric moment is somewhat muted as the fine print includes uncertainty, complexity and the reality that money will not flow for six weeks. This may be devastating for businesses trying to avoid bankruptcy at this critical time.

As the coronavirus Pandemic spreads in Canada, employers who face reduced revenues can try to avoid layoffs with the 75% Wage Subsidy Program. A second line of defense is a new EI Work-Sharing (WS) Program. Previously available only in the forestry, steel and aluminum business, there is now no restriction to a particular industry.  Here’s a checklist of information for bookkeepers, tax and financial advisors to share with small business clients.