October 1 - Important Changes Coming to VDP

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.

A new study from Statistics Canada released this week demonstrates how online learning for continuing or post-secondary education, may increase the opportunities available to Canadians with certain medical conditions. Have you considered alternative pathways to traditional education in planning for lifelong learning?

With the 2018 legalization of marijuana in Canada, more taxpayers may wish to claim their purchase as a medical expense. That may be possible, but there are rules to follow to pass a CRA audit test. 

When it comes to long-term care planning, as a trusted intermediary you can help aging clients and those with declining cognitive function. It’s a difficult topic to discuss, but wills are an important part of the continuity planning conversation. Learn how to help clients avoid undue influence during this process, while ensuring that estate plans are properly executed.

Business owners may believe they “have it all figured out” in planning for the future sale of their business, which can bring a false sense of security at the worst possible time. It’s a topic addressed by authors Evelyn Jacks and Jenifer Bartman in their new book Defusing the Family Business Time Bomb.

On February 12, the simplified method rates for calculating deductible auto and meal expenses for various important provisions on the 2018 tax return were finally released by the CRA. It’s an important missing piece for tax professionals and taxpayers alike, that in prior years was generally released in January.

Here’s a unique way to share some love with your sweetheart: make a spousal RRSP contribution by March 1. It’s a gift that’s a win-win to help secure your financial future together. Even better, it’s you, the contributor, who gets the RRSP deduction. Whether you have a spouse or common-law partner, here are six basic tips to know: