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:

There are many forms of entrepreneurship, from “gigging” part time to supplement income, to more ambitious ventures which hire many people from the get-go. That seems to be the secret sauce to economic development and growth in Canada. Yet, SMEs face formidable obstacles that could be removed with government support for private labor force development. But does government understand the SME sectors well enough?

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is the new investment vehicle on the block and people have lots of questions about it.  For example, is there an age limit to contributing to a FHSA?  Can you transfer your RRSP balances into it?  Should you?  Learn more here:

The Canada Emergency Benefit Account (CEBA) provided two loans to businesses; one for $40,000; the second for $20,000.  In each case up to $10,000 is forgivable, as long as the balance is repaid on December 31, 2022. This date was extended until December 31, 2023 as of January 12, 2022.  The term of the loan remains at 5 years, which means repayment must occur by 2025. Here’s what tax and financial services professionals need to know when discussing with SME clients.

Did you miss the May 24 Virtual CE Summit? You can still sign up for the Advanced Retirement & Estate Planning Update Course and access the live speaker recordings from the event. Plus, line up your educational calendar for the year with a CE Summit Event Pass and take advantage of the best available tuition rates!

Knowledge Bureau designates need 15 CE Credits by June 30 to relicence their credentials;  IIROC Cycle 9 ends on December 31, 2023 and Insurance Council licensing CE credits are due at various times throughout the spring.  That’s why Knowledge Bureau is offering 5 new CE options to help you meet your CE requirements before the deadline sneaks up!

Help your clients envision their plan for the three stages of retirement based on a holistic, values-based strategy and a consistent process for articulating and measuring a plan to its objectives. This will involve several different approaches to new conversations with clients as you help them set objectives for life, financial and economic milestones after work life. Expand your skillset to help your clients navigate retirement planning with the new CE Savvy™ Collection: Retirement Planning.