Back to School Tax Breaks

Like tax season, back-to-school season rolls around annually with certainty. But in today’s inflationary environment, the start-up costs for getting the family organizing for the school year may seem daunting. The good news is that tax and financial advisors can help clients understand their tax planning options and manage all the receipts that can lead to tax breaks later in the spring during tax filing time. Here’s a primer of topics you may wish to discuss:

Big news from Ottawa: the federal government has announced that the next Federal Budget will be tabled on November 4. For professionals in tax, accounting, and financial services, this is a critical moment to understand what’s changing and how to respond before year-end.

If you are a tax or financial advisor, Knowledge Bureau is offering numerous opportunities throughout 2025-2026 for you to shore up tax knowledge and important CE accreditation for licensing for KB Designations, Professional Designations in the accounting sector as well as CIRO, MDSA, AIC and Insurance Councils. Mark your calendar for the live/virtual event milestones below and see the links for online program options as well.

At the 2025 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors, attendees will benefit from two dynamic sessions sponsored by Gold Sponsor Franklin Templeton, offering both global and practice management perspectives for today’s advisors.

CRA is hoping that two million taxpayers will opt to use their new “SimpleFile” services - by phone, by mail or digitally – to have their tax returns filed “automatically by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The goals is to help more vulnerable people receive access to over $3 Billion in tax credits and benefits. Unfortunately, however, using the system is anything but simple. It may in fact be a very stressful and frustrating exercise. However, CRA believes that will improve exponentially. Check out what’s to know about SimpleFile:

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.