November 2025 Poll

Do you believe the November 4 Federal Budget addressed the key financial issues your clients need to see from their Finance Department and the CRA?

Did you know that total health care spending in Canada is estimated at over $9,000 per person and is estimated by Health Canada to be between 10.9% and 13.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and that the average out-of-pocket health care cost was $1,189 per capital in 2022.  With a shrinking GDP on the horizon through a potentially recessionary period ahead, it’s important to know which of the numerous out-of-pocket expenses will qualify for the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) claimed on Line 33099 of the T1 General tax return.  Today, we discuss medical travel costs, moving for medical reasons and other medical deductions you don’t want to miss on your tax returns. Here’s an overview:

Coming THIS EASTER WEEKEND, A NEW LEAP - Knowledge Bureau’s new digital home. Check it out!  We have Grand Opening tuition offers available to you as new and returning visitors, April 17 to April 21! VIP Graduates, your offers come first to your email on April 17. For everyone else, we invite you to explore the new 2025-2026 Curriculum and the Four New Pathways to Upskilling - from entry level to mastery level - and receive a $50 tuition credit to use now until June 30.

“The Future is No Clearer”. This according to the Bank of Canada Governor who announced on April 16 that he is holding interest rates at their current level.  Nonetheless, Knowledge Bureau will tackle the subject with authority and practicality at the May 21 CE Summit.  The subjects:  Tax Year 2025 - New Taxes or New Benefits across the Provinces and with a new federal government.  Also, Planning with Trusts – Bare Trust, Special Trusts, Post-Mortem, Retirement Income Planning across four client profiles and embracing wealth planning opportunities with tax efficiency.  Get the whole story, interpret it and share your knowledge during our live virtual CE Savvy Summit on May 21.  Save Money, Register by May 15. Here’s more:

Are you missing the T slips you need to accurately file tax returns this year?  It’s CRA’s problem, but the consequence is on the taxpayer. Here’s the backdrop and what you can do to help clients avoid paying penalties and interest for missing slips:

Canadians find themselves in an eagerly awaited election campaign in which MPs (Members of Parliament) will make decisions about how to collect and spend your tax dollars.  Are you ready to interview these candidates for their job?   Here are 13 questions – a baker’s dozen – you might wish to draw from to help you decide on the qualifications.  But, you won’t get to ask them all - political candidates aim to spend no more than 90 seconds on any doorstep to give a quick pitch and ask for support – so choose wisely and listen to answers carefully.

Tax season is “taxing” for all the familiar reasons – the deadlines, the missing information and the shock some taxpayers are facing in light of the tariff fallout and for some the fact they may need to pay CRA instead of receiving the expected refund.  There is a big emotional toll tax specialist can bear as well, for example, when hearing of a new disability, a death in the family, or the demise of a business.  In these volatile times, there may be more of the latter, unfortunately.  Here is what to know as these difficult conversations begin to unfold.