Start Tax Season 2025 on Sound Footing

Filing a tax return is difficult as the playing field is one of constant change:  the tax rules are in flux, particularly in the 2024 tax filing year,  with all the uncertainty around the capital gains provisions.  But in addition, taxpayers have undergone many financial and life event changes since their last T1 filings, each of which must be identified for each family member.  Here’s a primer for new year conversations between advisors and clients that cuts through the noise:  what matters is what you keep!

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to welcome back Fraser & Partners as a Bronze Sponsor at the 2024 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors Conference in Montreal November 10-12. Fraser & Partners is a collaborative team of specialists, and one of their firm’s core values is continuous learning. Connect with them at their exhibitor both during the conference, and learn more about their organization below.

Approximately 600,000 Canadian Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) which filed their 2023 corporate tax returns by July 15, 2024, and who have fewer than 499 employees, will receive a Carbon Tax Rebate by the end of the year. The federal government held up payment of $2.5 billion for the past 5 years, and so for some, the payments can be significant.  The President of the CFIB, Dan Kelly, who is a keynote speaker at the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors (DAC) in Montreal, November 10-12, welcomed this news.

The federal government raised the Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)  benefits payable to seniors from October to December 2024 by 1.3%, based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  In total seniors will have received an indexing adjustment of 2.8% in the 12-month period from October 2023 to October 2024.  Let’s examine who qualifies these benefits and how this indexing adjustment is calculated.

Did you know that Canada now has a Blueprint for a Renters' Bill of Rights?  It’s based on four principles the federal government wishes to align with a renter’s right to adequate housing. According to the government, the purpose of the Blueprint is to “express the Federal Government's policy objectives to build a national consensus to protect renters.”  But what does this mean for rental property owners? You may wish to discuss this with your clients who have concerns about their ability to collect rents and improve properties.

Are you concerned about taxpayer rights being eroded with proposals to expand CRA powers within the audit process?  The pros are:  96%  of Knowledge Bureau Report’s September poll said yes.  Here were just some of their reasons why:

There is a lot to consider this upcoming tax season when it comes to filing personal returns and increased risk for individuals, investors and businesses in light of the substantive tax law change in 2024.  Are you prepared to help? Join us for our next CE Savvy Summit on November 6 where Evelyn Jacks, Sharon Conrod, Doug Buss, and Special Guest, Kim G C Moody will discuss key year-end planning issues including retirement planning options, cross border taxation, and how Canada’s new capital gains inclusion rates and AMT will affect year-end tax planning. Register by October 15 for early-bird savings, and check out new team member enrolment options to save on your team training this fall.