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.

The one thing we must all pay for in advance is our retirement. It’s a consistent message from tax and financial professionals to clients of all ages. Yet, despite all of the advice, millions of Canadians are ill prepared for the years when their ability to earn income, actively, ends. The trick is to start early and put away a little, regularly. That’s why it’s important to engage Gen Y and Z in future planning conversations. How to do it? Show them the Math!

Two pieces of good news for the last quarter of 2025: seniors will get a small raise, but prescribed interest rates at CRA will stay steady after last quarter’s drop in rates. Here’s what you need to integrate into your year end planning activities.

Stand Apart! Enrol now for your one stop, year round tax updating solution.  Knowledge Bureau’s Live Virtual CE Summits for 2025-2026 start the day after the November 4 federal budget.  In a series of four full day events you and your team will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply tax preparation and planning expertise to solve tax compliance issues for clients.  It’s the pre-eminent tax training choice for Canada’s Tax Preparers and Financial Advisors.

Financial professionals and thought leaders are gathering for a compelling Meeting of the Minds session tomorrow: “ROI or ROL: Redefining What Real Wealth Means to You.” This complimentary, one-hour virtual event explores a powerful shift in wealth management — move beyond Return on Investment (ROI) towards Financial Peace of Mind – a Return on Life. It’s about aligning financial strategies with purpose and helping clients achieve true peace of mind.

The 2025 Acuity Conference is proud to feature keynote speaker Kim G.C. Moody FCPA, FCA, TEP, FDFS™.   In his session, “Having a Leadership Mindset”, Kim will share why professionals must think beyond technical expertise to lead with vision, courage, and purpose.  See the full agenda and register by the September 30 early-bird deadline on the official conference site!

Effective October 1, 2025, important changes will be made to the Voluntary Disclosures Program (VDP) at the CRA in order to make it easier for taxpayers to correct unintentional filing errors or omissions. The details on how the changes will affect your clients are being discussed in the CE Summit held September 17 and this course is now available for online enrolment and CE accreditation, after the virtual event. Here are some highlights of the changes.