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:

In deciding which of the two tax preferred investment vehicles should be used for various lifecycle purposes – the TFSA or the RRSP - advisors and their clients should carefully consider all the advantages of investing in and withdrawing from each vehicle.

What should you do with your RRIF withdrawals once you’ve generated the tax with the funds?  

Have you alerted your clients about the changes in the eligibility for the increased UCCB benefits?

Recent changes to RRIF withdrawal rules are in the spotlight since the April 21, 2015 federal budget.  Will they affect pension income splitting, and if so, how? 

Small businesses employ half of all Canadian workers in the private sector; making sure these employers can continue to provide jobs is critical. 

Despite political controversy, the TFSA has gained broad-based acceptance by 40% or 11 million average Canadians.