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Ottawa announces prescribed rate loan increase

Canada Revenue Agency prescribed rate increases for Q2 2023

For the fourth consecutive quarter, the Canada Revenue Agency  prescribed rate has increased by a percentage point. The rate used to calculate taxable benefits for shareholders and employees from interest-free and low-interest loans is now 5 per cent—up from 4 per cent in the first quarter of the year—for the period ending June 30th, 2023. The […]

House subject to Underused Housing Tax

Underused Housing Tax Update: Filing deadline extended until Oct. 31, 2023

The confusion swirling around the implementation and scope of the federal government’s new Underused Housing Tax has resulted in a temporary reprieve from Ottawa, providing taxpayers with extra time to fully understand their compliance obligations under the new law. The Canada Revenue Agency announced this week that the while the deadline for affected owners to […]

philanthropic donations

March tax news: Tax-effective philanthropic donations and the benefits of life insurance

TAX-EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPIC DONATIONS Reaching for your cheque book or credit card to make philanthropic donations is the least tax cost-effective strategy. We’ve identified more than 20 ways to be even more charitable − all of them more tax and cost-effective – encouraging you to look around at your loved ones and consider how you can build […]

House of Commons in Ottawa before the tabling of the 2023 federal budget

The 2023 federal budget: Increased deficits, new green incentives and higher taxes

The 2023 federal budget was widely projected to be one of balance and reaction: specifically, it would walk a tightrope aimed at keeping inflation under control and preparing for a potential economic downturn ahead. It would respond to the Biden Administration’s sweeping Inflation Reduction Act by offering competitive green innovation and business incentives, all to keep […]

Underused Housing Tax condo

Why you may need to file an Underused Housing Tax return

The federal government’s new Underused Housing Tax came into effect on January 1st, 2022. It introduced a 1 per cent annual tax on the ‘specified value’ of a vacant or ‘underused’ residential property owned in whole or in part by non-resident, non-Canadian citizens. Despite the legislation’s many exemptions, it is very broad and ensnares several […]

condominium under construction to assign residential purchase agreement

January Tax News: ‘Assigning’ residential purchase agreements, tax instalments–and more

“ASSIGNING” A RESIDENTIAL PURCHASE AGREEMENT Purchasers of new homes and condominiums sometimes sell their rights to the property before the closing. This happens frequently with new homes or condos that take years to be built. It may happen because of a change in circumstances, or simply because the buyer wants to profit from an increase […]

Documents for mandatory disclosure rules

New mandatory disclosure rules pose administrative challenge for some businesses

Draft legislation recently tabled by the Department of Finance could significantly complicate transaction reporting requirements for a selection of individuals and businesses across the country. Under newly proposed mandatory disclosure rules that were first introduced in the 2021 federal budget, certain taxpayers may need to report a comprehensive new set of reportable or notifiable transactions […]

transport truck and personal services businesses

CRA is scrutinizing personal services businesses. Here’s why

As devastating as the global pandemic has been, it did create a new way of thinking for businesses large and small. Remote work became common, Zoom calls the norm and businesses of all sizes shifted their workflow, both to accommodate lockdown restrictions and the evolving work preferences of their employees. At the same time, a […]

Canada Revenue Agency bare trusts reporting

CRA prescribed rate to increase in early 2023

Rising interest rates have touched virtually every corner of Canada’s economy. Accordingly, the Canada Revenue Agency’s prescribed interest rate is set to increase in lockstep yet again. It will jump to 4 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, up from the current 3 per cent. This is the third consecutive quarter that the prescribed […]