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.Don’t Forget the RRSP Deadline!
It’s the dream of millions of working Canadians to one day go into retirement and enjoy the golden years at home or abroad, retire on their terms, and harvest the fruits of their labours. According to a pre-pandemic (Feb 2020) Scotiabank Retirement Survey, 68% of Canadians are saving for retirement and the average amount expected to be needed was about $697,000. This is less than the 2017 average of $753,000. But the pandemic has changed retirement planning even further, and it’s important to discuss this before the March 1 RRSP deadline.
CERB Audits and Appeal Rights
Recently, Canadians who received CERB in 2020 have been receiving letters from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), requesting further information to support their eligibility for CERB. It’s important to know that taxpayers have the right to appeal if they receive a reassessment with respect to repaying the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Tap Into Education Funding for Tax Season Training
Now is the time train new and returning employees for the upcoming tax season...did you know your training costs qualify for grants and funding? That includes those incurred through a Knowledge Bureau education.There are both granting and funding options available when you need to train staff in a hurry based on where you live. Here are the details.
Crocus Fund Receivership Being Wrapped Up
The investors of the Crocus Fund will be receiving a final settlement in 2022. Specifically, the payment will be 36 cents per share, and it will be made after September 30, 2022. While most people will have held these shares in their RRSP account and will have no tax consequences, the disposition of these investments in non-registered accounts will need to be reported.
Knowledge Bureau Network: Raising the CPP Survivor’s Benefit
The Liberal government has proposed that the CPP survivors’ benefit be raised by 25%. It’s an important step in the right direction, but it may not be enough to fairly represent the lost contributions from a lifetime of mandatory contributions by a deceased spouse. This requires review and here’s why:
Tax-Efficient Retirement Plans Post-Pandemic
According to a recent ISPOS survey on behalf of the Institute of Actuaries, 23% of working Canadians say that the pandemic will change the timeline of their planned retirement. They feel they’ll need to work longer to earn enough to retirement, and yet, still only 52% of working Canadians think they’ll be able to live comfortably once they do retire. What needs to be considered in retirement planning to address the new demands of the pandemic, along the increasing life expectancy in Canada, and the increase in workers age 65+ in the workforce?
