New 30-Year Amortizations for Insured Mortgages

Effective August 1, 2024, the government will allow 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homeowners who purchase newly built homes.  For existing mortgage holders who meet specific criteria, “permanent amortization relief” will be available to extend repayment periods for as long as they need to get to the number they can afford to pay monthly. It’s an extension from the 25-year mortgage amortizations previously allowed. However, this isn’t for everyone… there is a significant risk to lifetime wealth creation and must be managed with an eye to interest rates and payment terms to reduce the non-deductible interest costs.  

The first transfer of Canadian banking information to the Internal Revenue Service was completed September 30, as reported last week.  That was the result of a September 16 appeal in which The Honourable Mr. Justice Martineau of the Canadian Federal Court in Vancouver ruled that the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) legislation is both legal under Canadian law and not inconsistent with the U.S./Canada Tax Treaty.

An argument that is mathematically possible will not avail a taxpayer who is found by the Court not to be credible.  That was the unfortunate result for a taxpayer who took on CRA in a case of unreported income.

Last week we discussed reasons why an increased TFSA contribution limit is very helpful in building wealth for seniors. But the TFSA is an even more powerful tool for millennials, who should maximize their contribution room to build a tax-free retirement surplus that is potentially increased by the longer compounding time afforded to the young.

We’re in the midst of one of the biggest platform shifts in a generation and our data shows that there is a new 24 hour expectation of service that comes with it, says Rachelle Amyotte, Intuit Canada’s Accountant Business Development Leader, who will be a keynote speaker at the Distinguished Advisor Workshops.

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to announce another five certificate courses will be published by the end of October to cap an ambitious year of renewal in the content management division.

Especially in a low interest rate environment where it is difficult to beat inflation and tax erosion without incurring market risk volatility, any rollback of the TFSA contribution limit to $5500 from the current $10,000 would affect seniors, as well as young adults trying to save for their futures, too.