Immediate Expensing Rules: Good Tax Policy?

Over the course of the last two federal budgets (April 16, 2024 and November 4, 2025), the rules for claiming Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) have been uncertain. The proposal to extend immediate expensing rules for certain acquired assets were paused for over a year and then re-introduced in a series of four complex measures which together with new rules for Scientific Research and Experimental Development have become known as the “Productivity Super-Deduction”.  A backdrop appears below. The key question: will this complexity be effective as an economic stimulator?   

OAS rates are indexed quarterly based on changes to the Consumer Price Index.  Seniors, who have not seen a raise since January 1, will receive an additional $2.85 per month starting in July.  The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) also increased by the same percentage.

Did you know that as of May 16, 2016, like individuals, corporations can now file Form T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement, electronically?  EFILE has otherwise been allowed for the 2014 and subsequent taxation years for individuals. CRA will also make electronic filing possible for partnerships in the future, but they haven’t released a date yet.

Knowledge Bureau and Manulife are pleased to announce that Lindsay Sawyer Fay of E. Sawyer Financial in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Darren Ryan, a financial advisor with Ryco Financial in St. John’s, Newfoundland have been selected as the 2016 winners of The DAC Young Advisors Award.

More market volatility is certain in the aftermath of Brexit and in anticipation of the outcome of the US election.   If you really want to help people reach their financial goals, and avoid “bad behavior” because of volatility in the markets, you need to have a broader and more powerful set of tools.

As a result of recent corporate tax rate changes and adjustments to the taxation of dividends, one of the key issues faced by the owner/manager of a private business is how to best manage his or her compensation to maximize the amount of after-tax income available to the family.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Desmond Tutu