Immediate Expensing Rules: Good Tax Policy?

Over the course of the last two federal budgets (April 16, 2024 and November 4, 2025), the rules for claiming Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) have been uncertain. The proposal to extend immediate expensing rules for certain acquired assets were paused for over a year and then re-introduced in a series of four complex measures which together with new rules for Scientific Research and Experimental Development have become known as the “Productivity Super-Deduction”.  A backdrop appears below. The key question: will this complexity be effective as an economic stimulator?   

A newly updated certificate tax course focused on the dramatic changes to tax planning for corporate owner-managers is launching today. It’s so important that its updater, Dr. Dean Smith of Cadesky Tax says that advisors who do not understand these rules may very well cause harm to their clients. Here’s why:

As a newcomer to Canada, Iqbal Sidhu shares how his Knowledge Bureau education helped him transition into a new career path in professional tax filing as a result of his successful pursuit of the DFA – Tax Services Specialist designation:

The most awaited tax change for the broadest base of taxpayers is the legislation allowing the government to automatically compute the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) for tax year 2019. This benefit will replace the current Working Income Tax Benefit. But, it requires designated educational institutions to report for each student whether they are studying on a full- or part-time basis so that their eligibility for the CWB can be determined.

Happy 2019! Welcome back to Knowledge Bureau Report and to what’s sure to be a fascinating year for interpreting tax and financial news, based on recent stock market volatility and significant tax change. It’s an election year, too, so broadly misunderstood tax reforms recently introduced will likely re-emerge for debate. What lies ahead for 2019? Here are just some of the facts Canadians should know.

Did you check your odometer reading at the start of the year? Finance Canada confirmed its 2019 auto expense rates on December 27, but they don’t quite measure up to cover the carbon taxes that increase the cost of driving, including the increased gas prices as of January 1. Those who use passenger vehicles for business will be disappointed that their write-offs haven’t changed at all, unless a new vehicle was purchased after November 20, 2018.

One controversial change o in the the November 21, 2018 economic statement was the proposal to provide taxpayers with a charitable donation credit for monetary gifts to non-profit journalism organizations. We asked tax and financial professionals their opinion on this hot topic: 78% of those who responded to Knowledge Bureau Report’s December poll voted to oppose this measure, hands down, even at a giving time of year.