Finance Canada: No More Spring Budgets

Finance Canada announced on October 7 that Canada’s federal budgets will be brought down in the fall starting with the November 4, 2025 event; a significant departure from the spring schedule (February, March or April) that has been the cycle for several decades. This is going to affect many other events as we know them, and in the annual government spending approval cycle. There will also be a new budget process for capital vs. operational expenses. Here’s what you need to know:

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have proposed restrictions on fees related to referral arrangements. The Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFB) wants to better understand the impacts of these proposals and has asked for the participation of financial services professionals in a survey, which is open to both IFB members and others in the financial services industry.

Sylvie Gewehr from Haines Junction, Yukon, is pursuing her DFA – Tax Services Specialist designation in her transition from bookkeeping to offering tax filing services. She shares how she started her educational journey with Knowledge Bureau, and her unique story about how the online self-study structure made it possible while living in a remote location.

Last week’s Fall Economic Statement featured updates to Canada’s economic outlook and corporate tax changes, specifically, the Capital Cost Allowance measures. However, the Finance Minister also proposed a controversial $595 million package to support Canada’s media sector, including tax breaks for those who subscribe to some online media outlets. 

A year after the Auditor General Report that took the CRA to task over its service standards, this fall’s report delivers further criticism. This time, CRA is being called out for its inconsistent practices and in addition, this latest critique follows the news that the implementation of call centre improvements has been delayed again.

Are snowbirds required to file a U.S. tax return? In this week's article, Dr. Dean Smith shares tax requirements for those who don’t meet the substantial presence test.

It’s time to shake out the cobwebs and get ready for tax season. If you are a tax or financial services professional you won’t want to miss this advanced personal tax update: join us in six cities January 17 – 25, 2019.