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.

Stay tuned to Knowledge Bureau Report next week as we decipher the controversial Ontario Provincial Budget.  A pre-election budget, it has already been pre-empted with a series of goodies and promises:

Are you comfortable with your level of tax knowledge? If not, you’re not alone; most Canadians admit that they don’t know enough, but still prepare their own taxes. Educate yourself this tax season to receive a larger refund, and arm yourself against time-consuming, expensive audits.

What did Budget 2018 cover that tax and financial advisors need to know now? What did it fail to address? Dr. Michael Graham weighs in on what we might anticipate in cross-border trade, U.S. tax reforms, the implications of Budget 2018 on small businesses in Canada.

It’s always nice to share good news on the first week of spring: an important new benefit for veterans takes effect on April 1, 2018.  First announced in the 2017 federal budget, the new Veterans’ Education and Training Benefit is part of the $133.9 million earmarked over six years to help veterans achieve post-military employment and position them to be more competitive in the workforce. But is it taxable?

If you are a post-secondary student, or a supporting parent or spouse of one, and are looking for the monthly education amount on the 2017 federal tax return, you may be a bit confused; it’s gone, but not out completely.

Although these won’t be announced officially for a couple of weeks yet, the prescribed interest rates and Old Age Security payment amounts are expected to change as of April 1. Here’s what we are anticipating, and why that’s so important for investment and debt management planning now: