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.

Amidst calls by the federal government to improve “tax fairness,” a report by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) shows that while a mere three per cent of all tax filers earn $150,000 or more, they contribute over one-third of all federal income taxes collected.

With proposed changes looming to the eligibility for the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE), which becomes the Capital Gains Deduction on the personal tax return, tax and financial advisors are well advised to review the rules and have discussions with their clients on whether any year end planning opportunities should be pursued.

“Everything happens to everybody sooner or later, if there is time enough.” —George Bernard Shaw

It’s undeniable that the financial advisory and insurance industries will face dramatic changes in the upcoming weeks, months and years. Two distinguished speakers at this year’s Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) in Kelowna, November 5 – 8, will challenge you to think about two key issues:  people matter in a contentious world and the prescriptive sales process just doesn’t work anymore.

2018 is destined to be a busy season for Canadian tax preparers and financial advisors who will need to be prepared to assist their clients in addressing the many new tax changes. This year’s CE Summits will help you gain a better understanding of the tax changes that have occurred, and those to come for private business owners and their families, and will allow you to hone the technical skills necessary to effectively address them.

Robo-advisor technology can be seen as a threat, or an advantage. Adopting a hybrid approach may help your business. Join the conversation on our Executive Business Builders Network and tell us how you feel you can make robo-technology work for you.