Bill C-31: Royal Asset and New CRA Powers Could Come Soon

Changes are coming to the Income Tax Act and both you and your clients will all be affected with new tax risks including longer tax audits. Bill C-31, which passed second reading in the House of Commons on June 3 and is now at committee stage, contains elements of previous Federal Budgets that will expand the CRA’s compliance and enforcement powers. Here’s what you need to know and pass along to your clients:

The prescribed interest rates for October 1 to December 31, 2015, 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 reduced this quarter.

Service Canada has just announced the fourth quarter rates for Old Age Security.

Donor beware: A charity’s charitable status can be revoked if the charity does not maintain the direction and control of its assets when dealing with another foreign charity intermediary. This requirement was underscored in a recent case at the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA).

Canadians donated close to $11 billion to charity in 2010 according to Statistics Canada. Becoming more philanthropic and giving more to causes that are important to them, like the current refugee crisis or environmental issues, should be top of mind in year-end tax planning conversations, given the significant tax rewards associated with giving.

Mark your calendar for the last week of October. Knowledge Bureau’s Fall Distinguished Advisor Workshop (DAW) promises some exciting and educational programming on issues your business clients commonly face. 

C.J. McCarty, was a specified shareholder/employee of the company, C.J. McCarty, Inc, (CJ,Inc.); he had only one client over a three month period of time, MEG Energy Corporation (MEG) and he received a fixed hourly rate for his services as the construction manager of a major project.