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.  

On February 23, the same day Canadians watched their men soar to gold in hockey over Sweden, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors reported ten points of great news from their meeting in Sydney, Australia.

Don’t forget the RRSP contribution deadline of March 3, to maximize your 2013 RRSP deduction and reduce net and taxable income.

G & J Muirhead Holdings Ltd. v. The Queen (2014) TCC 49, a recently released judgment from the Tax Court of Canada (TCC), serves as an important reminder to all taxpayers that rely on the corporate status of their small business for favourable tax treatment: the personal services business distinction could cost you. 

Are you making choices between investing in a TFSA or an RRSP? Which should come first?

Sophie T.K. Tse successfully achieved her DFA-Tax Services Specialist designation from Knowledge Bureau in 2012. We are pleased to have Sophie as one of our distinguished grads.

From a personal tax perspective, rules surrounding donations were a significant part of the tax changes introduced as part of the 2014 Federal Budget announced on February 11.