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 Government of Canada will develop a financial consumer code that could better inform and protect Canadian citizens when purchasing financial products and services.

Tax Advisors take note: the Supreme Court of Canada has allowed an appeal from the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) to decide on when civil tax penalties are in fact criminal in nature, and as a result, should be protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The average tax refund in Canada is now over $1620 – and that means millions of dollars of overpaid taxes are being taken out of the hands of average people all year long. At particular risk are employees. 

Siegfried Merten earned his MFA Designation in 2008 and has remained active with Knowledge Bureau as faculty member and Distinguished Advisor Conference attendee. We are pleased to have Siegfried as one of our distinguished grads.

Doug Nelson is author of the newly released Master Your Retirement and shares these wisdoms for retirement income planning. 

Previously undeducted resource allowances carried forward may have to be reduced under the debt forgiveness rules.