News Room

Confirmed:  The CCR for Small Business is Tax Free

Ottawa has confirmed that the CCR for Small Business received by eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) will be tax free for the 2019-20 to 2023-24 fuel charge years, as will the final payment for the 2024-2025 fuel charge year.  Draft legislation was released on June 30, 2025 with this announcement; and will be introduced for law making in Parliament this Fall.   Some of the more significant details are discussed below.

Let’s Keep it Real:  Finding Financial Peace of Mind in Volatile Times

The news can be jarring for your clients. In these volatile times, tax accounting and financial advisors do important work, together. A special shout-out goes out today to our highly educated, skilled and experienced certificate and designation holders working hard to help their clients make sense of events that trigger financial decision-making, especially to the RWMs™.  Here’s why. 

Campaign Update: Carbon Taxes And Rebates

Canadians are now into a federal election campaign and tax reductions of all kinds are on the agenda. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already reduced one of the greatest obstacles for the Liberal Party to gain re-election: the consumer carbon taxes as of April 1, 2025. Technically it is being reduced to zero, as without an act of Parliament he cannot eliminate the tax. However, the regulations behind the tax are under the purview of the Finance Minister, and on closer look, we can get a real glimpse of what’s to come should the Liberals win the election.

Bracket Creep Re-Emerges in Manitoba Budget 2025-26

Manitoba’s budget, delivered on March 20th by Finance Minister Adrien Sala, features a lot of red ink and the re-emergence of a stealth, hidden tax: bracket creep is back! Check out the details on this budget below and don’t forget look for the Knowledge Bureau Special Summary Report on the other provinces who have brought down budgets this quarter including: Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon and New Brunswick.

Return of Fuel Charge Proceeds

If you are a self-employed farmer or an individual who is a member of a partnership operating a farming business with one or more permanent establishments in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island or Saskatchewan, you may be eligible to have a portion of fuel charge proceeds returned to you. This refundable tax credit is a way to return fuel charge proceeds under the federal carbon pollution pricing system directly to eligible farming businesses.

Ineligible Medical Expense Claims & Some Eligible Claims

While taxpayers can claim a variety of medical expenses, there are certain costs related to health that are not eligible for claims. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) outlines these exceptions in their Medical Expense Guide RC4065. The list includes:

Plan Right: Reduce Your Tax Refund

Employers are required by law to deduct taxes from your pay and remit them on your behalf. That means the first dollars you earn every day go to the federal and provincial governments. Worse, the tax tables employers must use are skewed against you too. Consider how sizable the average tax refund in Canada is: about $2,200 or approximately $184 a month. That’s money you could be putting to use for your own financial future, rather than waiting until four or five months after the end of the year for it.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

Do you believe Canada’s tax system based, on self-assessment, has suffered under recent changes at CRA and by Finance Canada? If so, what is the one wish you have for tax reform?

  • Yes
    336 votes
    69.42%
  • No
    148 votes
    30.58%