Investigative Tax Prep:  Top Ten Changes to Probe

Tax season 2025 has started with a focus on the increased income levels some taxpayers may report due to proposed changes in capital gains tax laws.  But aside from this there are new questions to probe with clients to ensure the family’s tax returns are filed to their very best benefit, given change in their life and financial events as well.  Here are top 10 queries to add to your interview checklist:

What are the rules on withdrawal?  Maximum annual withdrawal amounts are established based on life expectancies but an ability to encroach on capital is also to be provided. Only the beneficiary and/or the beneficiary's legal representatives can withdraw amounts from an RDSP.

In October, we asked tax and financial professionals “ In your opinion, is the Climate Action Incentive Payment enough to offset the rising cost of carbon taxes?” The fact that 89% felt it’s not sufficient was not surprising but the comments present some interesting insights on the challenges and potential solutions.

Yesterday’s CE Summit: Year-End Tax Planning was a hit, and it’s only the beginning of the professional development options available from Knowledge Bureau to give you the tools you need to help a variety of client profiles this upcoming tax season. Take the micro-course collection, New Issues in Year-End Tax Planning and join us at the January Advanced T1 Tax Update, which will be held virtually, as well as in Toronto and Calgary. Save on tuition with an event pass, and take note of early-bird deadlines.

In Winnipeg on November 14?   The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education CFEE.org  want to invite you to a light lunch and launch of an important new financial capability resource from 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM CDT at the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, entitled: Money and You: Seniors Edition.   This event will feature guest speakers from the program sponsor, IG Wealth Management, CFEE CEO Gary Rabbior, and by video from Evelyn Jacks, the primary author. A program demo from CFEE COO Kevin Maynard will also be featured.

If you need answers to complex questions your high net worth families are asking about their income and capital after personal, corporate, trust and cross-border taxation, or when new triggers are driving financial decisions your clients want to make, working with a Real Wealth Manager (RWM™) can help you answer and execute on them.  This is particularly so in today’s complex world when financial peace of mind – and answers to tough questions – both are more difficult to come by. 

No, this isn’t fake news or a late day Halloween trick:  the CRA announced just before 2 p.m. on October 31 that they are indeed extending the deadline for the filing of the UHT-2900 return.  This return was due at midnight on October 31 to report residential property ownership for the 2022 calendar year.  The new deadline is April 30, 2024.  No interest or penalties will be levied in the meantime.   The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a controversial new tax in Canada because it is much more broad-based than first announced. This and more year end tax planning news will be covered in tomorrow’s Virtual CE Summit from Knowledge Bureau, available in a recorded online version after the event.