Claiming Medical Expenses: Free Healthcare?

Free Health Care? Did you know that Canadians spend on average more than $1,000 on medical expenses each year? It’s estimated that government programs, via our taxes, cover about 72% of medical expenses, which means that we pay for the rest. Your clients may be over-paying on their taxes because they don’t know about medical expense deductions. 

Canada has been in a strong economic position since 2015, but dark clouds are on the horizon as global economic growth has peaked and deficits are expected to grow. This is what Finance Minister Morneau faces as he unveiled his November 21 Fall Economic Report.

Canada’s competitive advantage in the global economy has been of concern since corporate tax reforms were introduced in the United States earlier this year, and especially after Finance Canada’s ill-fated attempt to reform the corporate tax system a year ago. Finance Minister Morneau delivered his response to the current challenges by proposing the acceleration of some Capital Cost Allowance measures in the November 21 Fall Economic Update.

The Fall Economic Statement from the federal government is being released later today – Wednesday, November 21. Knowledge Bureau Report will bring you breaking news and insights in a special report tomorrow! Meanwhile, Ontario made some interesting tax changes.

A recent study shows that millennials care more about others than any other generation in recent history. But, the data also identifies an important gap: 49 percent don’t have a will at all, and only 31 percent have a will that’s up-to-date. Without proper estate planning, their assets may never end up in the hands of the organizations millennials want to invest in to make a difference.

Many Canadian snowbirds have already headed south for the winter, and recent retirees making this a part of their lifestyle for the first time should be diligent in understanding the tax rules that affect them before year-end.

The role advisors can play in helping new immigrants, and the importance of immigration and diversity in Canadian society, were central themes at DAC last week. Now, with a timely release, Statistics Canada has published new data on the important impact education has on immigration, pointing to valuable opportunities for new Canadians in the tax and financial services.