Elbows Up: The Time for Personal-Corporate Tax Reform is Now

One can’t avoid the messaging of the economic pain to come. Our deteriorating economic relationship with our biggest trading partner will require us to “pivot and prosper” in order to emerge “stronger and more resilient” says our Prime Minister. While exactly how we will do this is still unclear, there is one clear opportunity: for both federal and provincial governments to initiate a significant personal and corporate tax reform in the upcoming fall budget.

The desire to make a difference is gaining momentum with people of all ages, as individuals see their personal wealth not only as a means to live well, but also as a way to contribute have social impact or create a meaningful legacy. Advisors need to be able to help philanthropic-minded clients convert their wealth into some form of social capital. One option: Donor-Advised funds (DAFs).

On December 13, the second Budget Implementation Act was granted Royal Assent by the House of Commons*, thus giving the green light for Climate Action Incentive payments to offset new carbon taxation programs coming into effect April 1, 2019.

Gift the gift of knowledge throughout 2019! Make increasing your clients’ tax literacy your 2019 new year’s resolution, and share these essential tax moves and audit-busters that will help them in their dealings with the CRA next year.

It takes 131 hours per year for the average small business to comply with CRA demands, but that’s actually not that bad, comparatively speaking, according to some recent reporting.

There are tax advantages that encourage giving back to the less fortunate this holiday season – it’s a tax gift that keeps on giving. But giving has taken on an interesting trend: not all donations made by charity-minded Canadians are monetary. In fact, Statistics Canada reports that 94% make in-kind donations each year, which includes items like clothing, toys, household goods, or food.

Chenine Humphrey attended the Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) for the third consecutive year and shares her enthusiasm for the experience: “There just simply are no bad speakers at DAC. I literally sat riveted at the edge of my seat, gleaning a wealth of information and knowledge throughout the conference!”