Back to School Tax Breaks

Like tax season, back-to-school season rolls around annually with certainty. But in today’s inflationary environment, the start-up costs for getting the family organizing for the school year may seem daunting. The good news is that tax and financial advisors can help clients understand their tax planning options and manage all the receipts that can lead to tax breaks later in the spring during tax filing time. Here’s a primer of topics you may wish to discuss:

The Disability Tax Amount, a non-refundable tax credit valued at $8,001 in tax year 2016, can be claimed by someone who is markedly restricted in the activities of daily living on a permanent basis, or by their supporting individual.

Last week’s federal budget proposed to improve access to education funding with a series of new initiatives including improved access to bonds, loans and grants. Planning for student debt repayment, however, should be a critical first step with students, alongside the application process. Tax and financial planners can be of important assistance.

The prescribed interest rates for April 1 to June 30, 2017, remain unchanged on overdue taxes and tax overpayments, and for calculations of taxable benefits and shareholder loans. However, the interest rates on PLOI—Pertinent Loans or Indebtedness—have been changed this quarter.

In the recent federal budget, the federal government continued its commitment to supporting and funding innovation to grow Canada’s economy and build a strong middle class. There is evidence all around us that technology is fueling new enterprises all over the globe, in what has become known as “the sharing economy.”

With recent changes to the taxation of trusts, more beneficiaries may find themselves reporting trust income personally, when they are in a lower tax bracket than the trust itself. Executors, too, need to be informed about the best planning strategies. For these reasons, tax advisors must prepare themselves to answer questions about trust filing and planning.

Tax and financial advisors need to pay attention to cross-border taxation issues for Canadian clients who have real estate or financial assets in the US, and for US citizens who live in Canada or face the real possibility of legal action for any failure to report to either government. The Distinguished Advisor Workshops (DAW) being held in six cities May 29 to June 6 will cover the most pressing questions advisors have in this area, together with detailed analysis of the March 22, 2017, federal budget.