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April 07, 2021

Inflation rate for February up slightly
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows a slight increase in the rate of inflation for the month of February 2021. That rate stood at 1.1%, as compared to the rate ...

Federal Budget 2021-22 to be brought down in April
The Minister of Finance has announced that the federal Budget for the upcoming 2021-22 fiscal year will be delivered on Monday April 19, 2021. This year’s Budget will be the first one delivered sinc...

Canada Revenue Agency locks down individual online tax accounts
Over the past month, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) identified a large number of individual taxpayer online accounts for which user IDs and passwords had been obtained by unauthorized third parties. ...

Employment increases by 259,000 positions in February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a significant increase in employment during the month of February. During that month, employment rose by 259,000 jobs, and th...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
As expected, the Bank of Canada announced on March 10 that no changes would be made to current interest rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 0.5%. In the press release announcing its decision,...

Federal government to provide interest relief on pandemic benefit tax debt
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that targeted interest relief will be provided to Canadians who received pandemic income support benefits during 2020. Specifically, qualifying individual...

Inflation rate for January at 1%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey shows a slight increase in the rate of inflation for January 2021. The inflation rate for that month, as measured on a year-over-...

NETFILE service hours of availability
The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 tax years is now available 21 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ser...

CRA issues 2020 guide for self-employed taxpayers
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued the guide to be used by taxpayers who are reporting business or professional income, commission income, and income from farming and fishing received during 2...

CRA help line to be available Saturdays during tax filing season
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that, beginning February 27, 2021, its Individual Tax Enquiries line will be available on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That service is also available ...

Prescribed interest leasing rate for March
The prescribed leasing interest rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the pr...

Extended hours and callback service now available on individual tax help line
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that its individual income tax enquiries line will be open for extended hours during the upcoming tax filing season. That line — reachable at 1-800-959-...

NETFILE service for 2020 individual tax returns available February 22
The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) NETFILE service for the online filing of individual income tax returns for the 2020 taxation year will be available starting Monday, February 22, 2021. In order to ...

Unemployment rate increases to 9.4% in January
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a significant decline in employment during the month of January, and a corresponding increase in the overall unemployment rat...

Canada Revenue Agency releases 2020 individual income tax return package
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued the individual income tax forms and guides to be used by Canadian residents in filing an income tax return for the 2020 taxation year. The particular form to...

Consultation process launched for 2021-22 federal Budget
The federal government has launched the consultation process leading to the release of the 2021-22 federal Budget. This year, there are three components to the consultation process. The government wil...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for February
The prescribed leasing interest rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the pr...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on January 20 the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 0....

CRA issues guide to employment expense deductions for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued an updated version of Guide T4044, Employment Expenses 2020, which outlines the tax treatment of various employment expenses, and will be used by taxpayers i...

Inflation rate up in December 2020
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey shows that the rate inflation rose by 0.7% during the month of December 2020, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The rate for...

CRA announces automobile benefit and deduction amounts for 2021
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released the automobile expense deduction limits and benefit rates which will apply during the 2021 taxation year. Most of the rates and limits which applied during...

Unemployment rate up slightly in December
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the overall unemployment rate for the month of December 2020 increased to 8.6%. The comparable rate for the month of Nov...

Prescribed interest rates for 2021
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the CRA for the first quarter of 2021, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose ...

NETFILE service for 2019 returns open until January 22, 2021
The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 taxation years will be available until Friday, January 22, 2021. ...

CRA issues 2020 income tax guide for students
Post-secondary students in Canada are eligible for a range of tax credits and deductions, including a tuition tax credit, deductions for moving expenses, and a claim for qualifying student loan intere...

CRA announces new flat rate method for home office expense claims
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that a new temporary home office tax credit may be claimable by qualifying individuals who worked from home during 2020. Taxpayers are eligible to use thi...

Upcoming changes to CRA administrative policy on representatives
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) permits taxpayers to designate another person, firm, or business to communicate with the CRA on the taxpayer’s behalf, where a written authorization has been provided...

December 31 deadline for tax relief applications
Taxpayers may apply to the Minister of National Revenue for administrative relief from interest and penalty charges imposed or, in some cases, for permission to late-file tax elections. In order to be...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on December 9, the Bank of Canada announced that no change would be made to current interest rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 0.5...

Unemployment rate down slightly in November
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the rate of unemployment declined by 0.4% during the month of November. The unemployment rate for the month was 8.5%. Fu...

Prescribed interest leasing rate for December
The prescribed leasing interest rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the pr...

Federal government updates deficit projection for 2020-21
On November 30, the Minister of Finance released the Fall Economic Statement, which included updated deficit projections for the current and future fiscal years. The deficit is now projected to reach ...

Wage subsidy program extended to June 2021
The federal government has announced that the program providing a wage subsidy to eligible businesses experiencing a pandemic-related revenue loss has been extended to be available until June 2021. Th...

Date announced for 2020 Fall Economic Statement
The federal government has announced that its Fall Economic Statement for the 2020-21 fiscal year will be released on Monday November 30, 2020. The press release announcing the date and time of the St...

Inflation rate for October up slightly
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey shows that the rate of inflation for the month of October rose by 0.7%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The comparable inc...

Employment Insurance premium rates for 2021 announced
The federal government has released the premium rates and amounts which will apply in 2021 for purposes of the Employment Insurance (EI) program. For 2021, the EI premium rate will be 1.58% and maximu...

CRA announces increases in retirement savings contribution limits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced upcoming changes in the allowable contribution limits for a range of retirement savings programs. For registered pension plans, the 2021 money purchase l...

Unemployment rate for October at 8.9%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the overall rate of unemployment stood at 8.9% for the month of October. While the unemployment rate for the month was l...

CRA issues updated Employer’s Guide to Taxable Benefits
The tax treatment of non-monetary benefits provided by employers to their employees can vary widely. Some such benefits must be included in the employee’s taxable income for the year, while others a...

CRA announces Canada Pension Plan contribution rates and amounts for 2021
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the contribution rates and amounts which will apply for purposes of the Canada Pension Plan during 2021. For 2021, the employer and employee contribution ...

Prescribed interest leasing rate for November
The prescribed leasing interest rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the pr...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates at current levels
In its October 28 announcement, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change to current interest rates was needed. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 0.5%. The press release announcing...

Bank of Canada releases interest rate announcement schedule for 2021
The Bank of Canada has released its schedule for policy interest rate announcements to be made during the 2021 calendar year, and that schedule is as follows: Wednesday, January 20 Wednesday, March 10...

Inflation rate up slightly in September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation rose 0.5% on a year-over-year basis in September, up from a 0.1% increase in August. While pric...

Application process for Canada Recovery Benefit now open
In September, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program came to an end, and three new programs to provide financial assistance to individuals impacted by the pandemic were launched. One of those p...

Unemployment rate down to 9% in September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that Canada’s overall unemployment rate declined by 1.2% during the month of September. For the month, that rate stood at 9...

Application process now open for two new individual COVID-19 benefits
The federal government has created three separate benefits which can be claimed by qualifying Canadians, following the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program. Applications for two...

CRA issues warning of tax scam involving debt write-offs
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a warning to taxpayers with respect to a tax scam currently operating, which involves claims for bad debt write-offs. While bad debts can be written off for ...

Prescribed interest rates for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the CRA for 2020, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose of calculating employ...

Old Age Security benefit increase for fourth quarter of 2020
The Old Age Security benefit received by Canadians over the age of 65 is indexed quarterly to changes in the Consumer Price Index. The federal government has announced that the basic OAS benefit of $6...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for October
The prescribed leasing interest rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the pr...

September 30, 2020 final application deadline for Canada Emergency Student Benefit
As part of its pandemic relief plan, the federal government provided eligible post-secondary students and recent post-secondary and high school graduates who were unable to find work for pandemic-rela...

June and September individual income tax instalment payments due by September 30, 2020
Canadian taxpayers who pay income tax by instalment usually make four instalment payments each year, by the 15th day of March, June, September, and December. Earlier this year, the federal government ...

Individual tax balances for 2019 tax year due by September 30
Earlier this year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that the deadline for payment of individual income tax balances for the 2019 tax year, which is usually April 30, was being extended to Wed...

Unemployment rate decreases to 10.2% for August
The September release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the overall unemployment rate for the month of August stood at 10.2%. That rate represented a decrease of 0.7% from the ra...

Increase announced to non-taxable meal allowance rate
The federal government has announced an increase in the amount of any overtime meal allowance, or meal portion of a travel allowance, that employers can provide to employees on a non-taxable basis. Th...

Filing of 2019 tax return necessary to ensure continued payment of tax credits
Eligibility for a number of refundable tax credits and benefits, including the harmonized sales tax/goods and services tax credit and the child tax benefit is based in part on a taxpayer’s income fo...

September 29 deadline for all applications for Canada Student Benefit Program
The pandemic emergency benefit program provided by the federal government for post-secondary students and recent secondary and post-secondary graduates ended on August 29, 2020. Those eligible for suc...

Federal government announces transition measures for end of CERB program
Since March 15 of this year, Canadians who have lost income as a result of the pandemic have been able to receive $500 per week from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB program will...

CRA to contact taxpayers affected by cyberattack
Earlier this month, a cyberattack on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and other agencies of the federal government compromised the personal tax and financial information of approximately 5500 taxpayers...

Application forms available for expanded Canada Employer Wage Subsidy program
On July 17, the federal government announced that the existing Canada Employer Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program would be extended to be available until November 21, 2020, and that eligibility criteria for ...

Inflation rate for July drops to 0.1%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of July, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 0.1%. The comparable rate ...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for September 2020
The prescribed leasing rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the prescribed ...

Unemployment rate for July down to 10.9%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the unemployment rate for July was 10.9%. The change means that the unemployment rate has fallen by 1.4 percentage poi...

Extension announced for September individual instalment payments
Individual taxpayers who pay income tax by instalment are required to make four such instalment payments each year. The usual deadlines for such payments are the 15th day of March, June, September, an...

Online filing option where paper return not yet assessed by CRA
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted a notice on its website indicating that it is experiencing delays in the processing of paper-filed individual income tax returns for the 2019 taxation year. ...

CRA provides interest waiver period on tax amounts owed
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that an interest waiver period will be provided to individual taxpayers with respect to income taxes owed. That waiver period will run from April 1 to Sep...

Individual income tax payment deadline extended to September 30, 2020
Earlier this year, the deadline for payment of individual income tax amounts owed for the 2019 taxation year was extended from April 30 to September 1, 2020. The federal government has now indicated t...

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates at current level
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on July 15, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change to current interest rates was required. Accordingly, the Bank Rate rema...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for August 2020
The prescribed leasing rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the prescribed ...

Federal emergency wage subsidy to be available until December
Canadian employers whose businesses have been affected by the pandemic may be eligible for a federal government wage subsidy – the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). The CEWS, which pays the empl...

Unemployment rate down slightly in June
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a slight decline in the rate of unemployment during the month of June. The unemployment rate for June stood at 12.3%, a decli...

Federal government projects $343 billion current-year deficit
On July 8, the federal government provided an update of its fiscal position for the current (2020-21) fiscal year, taking in account expenditures made in connection with the pandemic. That “Economic...

Supplemental OAS payment issued during first week of July
Earlier this year, the federal government announced that, as part of its pandemic relief measures, recipients of Old Age Security would receive an additional one-time payment. Such payment is intended...

NETFILE service for 2019 returns still available
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a Tax Tip reminding Canadians that its online filing services for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2019 tax year are still open. Such indi...

No change to basic Old Age Security benefit for third quarter 2020
The Old Age Security benefit received by Canadians over the age of 65 is indexed quarterly to changes in the Consumer Price Index. The federal government has announced that, as the rate of inflation d...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for July 2020
The prescribed leasing rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the prescribed ...

Prescribed interest rates for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the CRA for the first three quarters of 2020, as well as the rates that will apply for the p...

Canada Emergency Response Benefit program extended
The federal government has announced that the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program has been extended to be available for a further eight weeks in some circumstances. As originally designed...

Inflation rate down by 0.4% for May
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey shows that the rate of inflation fell by 0.4% during the month of May, as measured on a year-over-year basis. Prices were up in f...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for June 2020
The prescribed leasing rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the prescribed ...

Unemployment rate up slightly in May
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the unemployment rate rose slightly during the month of May, from 13% to 13.7%. The StatsCan analysis indicates that une...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on June 3 the Bank of Canada, as anticipated. made no change to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 0.5%. In its announcemen...

June 15 return filing deadline for self-employed taxpayers
Self-employed Canadians and their spouses must file an individual income tax return for the 2019 tax year on or before June 15, 2020. As part of the federal government’s pandemic response plan, howe...

June 15 individual income tax instalment due date deferred
Individual Canadians who pay income tax by instalments would normally be required to make the second instalment payment for this year on June 15, 2020. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has indicated, h...

CRA extends filing and payment deadlines for corporations and trusts
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that the deadline for filing of T2 returns by corporations and T3 returns by trusts has been extended. That announcement provides that all businesses and ...

Free tax return preparation clinics go online
Each year community organizations across Canada operate a number of tax clinics at which individual income tax returns are prepared and filed free of charge to the taxpayer. Due to concerns surroundin...

CRA extends federal benefit eligibility period
The benefit year for many federal benefits, like the Canada Child Benefit and the Goods and Services Tax Credit runs from July 1 to June 30. Eligibility for and the amount of such benefits are based, ...

Repaying the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a reminder to Canadians that there are circumstances in which the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) must be repaid. In particular, individuals who return to...

Federal government to provide one time increase in Old Age Security payments
The federal government has announced that, in order to help seniors with additional costs resulting from the pandemic, a one-time supplement will be provided to Canadians who already receive Old Age S...

CRA issues warning of Canada Emergency Response Benefit scam
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued an alert on its website warning Canadians of a scam operating with respect to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). That Benefit, for which more than...

Online applications available for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
As part of its pandemic response, the federal government is providing eligible employers with a partial wage subsidy through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program. The CEWS program provides...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for May 2020
The prescribed leasing rate mandated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) must be calculated using bond yield information found on the Bank of Canada website. That calculation shows that the prescribed ...

Prescribed interest rates for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the first half of 2020, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose ...

Inflation rate down sharply for March
The April release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows a sharp decline in the rate of inflation for the month of March. That rate stood at 0.9%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. T...

Significant increase in unemployment rate during March
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a significant increase in the rate of unemployment during the month of March. The April release of the Labour Force Survey, w...

Canada Student Loan repayments suspended until September 30, 2020
The federal government has announced that required repayments of Canada Student Loans will be suspended until September 30th, 2020. Where payments are usually made by pre-authorized debit, such paymen...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on April 15, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change to current interest rates was required. Accordingly, the Bank Rate rem...

Wage subsidy program to be provided to Canadian employers
The federal government will be providing a wage subsidy program to eligible employers who have experienced a recent reduction in revenues of 30% or more. That program—the Canada Emergency Wage Subsi...

Application process for Canada Emergency Response Benefit now open
As of April 6, 2020, Canadians can apply for the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which provides eligible individuals with $500 per week for a maximum of 16 weeks. The benefit is gene...

Federal government defers remittance of HST/GST payments
The federal government will be providing businesses with an extension with respect to remittance deadlines related to goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST). The deferral will app...

Bank of Canada announces further reduction in interest rates
In an unscheduled announcement made on March 27, the Bank of Canada lowered interest rates for the third time this month. In that announcement, the Bank reduced current rates by one-half percentage po...

One-time increase in Canada Child Benefit to be provided
The federal government has announced that, for the current benefit year only, the amount of Canada Child Benefit will be increased by a one-time payment of $300 per child. The $300 additional benefit ...

Individual tax filing and payment deadlines extended
The deadline for filing of most 2019 individual income tax returns, as well as payment of any balance of tax owed for the 2019 taxation year by individual taxpayers would usually be April 30, 2020. Th...

Bank of Canada reduces interest rates
Citing the negative shocks to Canada’s economy arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent drop in oil prices, the Bank of Canada has announced a further reduction in interest rates. The unsch...

Federal government postpones individual tax filing deadline for 2019 returns
The federal government has announced that the filing deadline for individual Canadian tax filers who would usually be required to file by April 30 has been extended to June 1, 2020. (Returns for 2019 ...

CRA issues Tax Tip for property buyers and sellers
Canadian taxpayers who buy or sell a property during the year may be subject to requirements to report that transaction on their annual return and, in some cases, to pay tax on sale proceeds. The CRA ...

Little change in unemployment rate for February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows little change in the overall unemployment rate during the month of February. That rate rose by 0.1%, to 5.6%. During the mont...

Extended hours for CRA individual tax enquiries line
The Canada Revenue Agency’s individual income tax enquiries telephone service will be available for extended hours during tax filing season. That enquiries service, which can be reached at 1-800-959...

Bank of Canada cuts interest rates
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on March 4 the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, a reduction to current interest rates was required. Accordingly, the bank rate was...

CRA releases 2019 Guide to Self-Employed Business, Professional, Commission, Farming and Fishing Income
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released its 2019 Guide to Self-Employed Business, Professional, Commission, Farming and Fishing Income for 2019. That Guide is used by taxpayers who are reporting ...

NETFILE service for filing of individual returns for 2019 now available
The Canada Revenue Agency’s NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2019 taxation year is now available. The current NETFILE service, which can be found on the CRA we...

Upcoming deadline for 2019 RRSP contributions
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that contributions to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), in order to be deducted on the return for 2019, must be made on or before Monday March ...

Increase in inflation rate for January 2020
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows an increase in the rate of inflation for the month of January. That rate stood at 2.4%, as measured on a year-over-year basi...

Unemployment rate down slightly for January 2020
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that that unemployment rate dropped slightly during the month of January, from 5.6% to 5.5%. During that month, employment in...

Canada Revenue Agency issues meal and travel expense deduction rates and limits for 2019
The rates and limits for deduction and credit claims for meal and travel expenses are now posted on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website. Such rates and limits apply to meal and travel expense clai...

Digital news subscription tax credit now available
In the 2019 Budget, the federal government introduced a new tax credit for digital news subscription costs incurred by individuals. That tax credit is available starting in the 2020 tax year. Individu...

CRA issues updated guide to students and income tax
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) publishes a guide for post-secondary students which outlines the rules governing typical tax situations for such students. Those rules include the tax treatment of tuit...

NETFILE service for 2019 returns available February 24, 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that the NETFILE service for online filing of individual income tax returns for the 2019 tax year will be available beginning Monday, February 24, 2020. M...

CRA issues 2019 Individual Income Tax Return and Guide
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released the Individual Income Tax Return and Guide for all provinces and territories for the 2019 tax year, and those forms and guides are posted on its website at...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rate unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on January 22, 2020, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remain...

CRA announces automobile expense deduction limits for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced the rates and limits which will apply for purposes of automobile-related benefits and deductions in 2020. Most such rates and limits are unchanged, as follows: ...

OAS payment rates for first quarter of 2020
The federal government has announced the Old Age Security (OAS) and related amounts which will be paid during the first quarter (January 1 to March 31) of 2020. OAS payments are indexed quarterly to c...

Unemployment rate down for December 2019
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that employment increased by 35,000 jobs during the month of December and that the overall unemployment rate fell by 0.3%, to...

Personal tax credit amounts increased
The federal government has announced that the basic personal tax credit, the spousal credit, and the eligible dependant credit amounts will increase, in four stages, from $12,298 to $15,000. The first...

Prescribed interest rates for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the CRA for the first quarter of 2020, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose ...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for January 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) formerly provided taxpayers with a listing of prescribed interest rates for leasing, with such listing including the applicable rate for the upcoming month, as well as ...

Climate action incentive payment amounts for 2020
The federal government has announced the amounts which will be paid under the climate action incentive program during 2020. Such amounts are claimed when filing the individual income tax return for 20...

NETFILE service for prior years available until January 24, 2020
Taxpayers who have not yet filed their individual income tax returns for 2018 (or the three prior years) can file those returns on NETFILE until Friday, January 24, 2020. Until that date, the Canada R...

Economic and Fiscal Update projects increased current year deficit
The 2019 Economic and Fiscal Update released on December 16 by the Minister of Finance shows a significant increase in the projected deficit for the current fiscal year. In the 2019-20 Budget announce...

December 16 deadline for final instalment payment for 2019
Canadians who pay income tax by instalments are required to pay the fourth and final instalment payment of 2019 on or before Monday December 16, 2019. Taxpayers subject to the instalment payment requi...

December 31 deadline for taxpayer relief applications for 2009
Under the federal government’s Taxpayer Relief Program, the Minister of National Revenue can provide relief to taxpayers from interest or penalty charges which have been assessed. Such taxpayer reli...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on December 4, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 2...

Indexing adjustment for 2020 released by CRA
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced that personal income tax brackets and credit amounts for the 2020 taxation year will increase by 1.9%. Each year, such individual income tax brackets and cred...

Inflation rate for October 2019 unchanged
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index indicates that there was no change in the rate of inflation recorded for the month of October. That rate stood at 1.9%, as measure...

CRA issues Payroll Deduction Formula guide for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued the 2020 version of Guide T4127, Payroll Deduction Formulas, which is intended for use by payroll software providers or companies which develop their own in-house ...

Upcoming CRA webinar on payroll
On Wednesday November 27, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be hosting a webinar on payroll requirements for Canadian employers. The webinar, which will start at 1:00 p.m. EST, is free of charge fo...

CRA issues 2019 guide to students and income tax
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has updated and re-issued its tax guide for post-secondary students. That guide (P105, Students and Income Tax) reviews the tax treatment of common deductions and credi...

Employment Insurance contribution rates for 2020
The federal government has announced the Employment Insurance (EI) premium rates which will be levied during 2020. For 2020, maximum insurable earnings for the year will be $54,200. The premium rate f...

No change in unemployment rate for October
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that there was no change in the overall unemployment rate for the month of October 2019, with that rate remaining at 5.5%. Am...

CRA issues employer guide to payroll deductions for 2020
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued its Employer’s Guide: Payroll Deductions and Remittances for 2020 (T4001(E)). That guide provides employers with information on the deductions which must be made...

Canada Pension Plan contribution rates for 2020 released
The federal government has announced the contribution rates and amounts and maximum pensionable earnings which will apply for purposes of the Canada Pension Plan in 2020. Employee and employer contrib...

CRA issues 2019 employer guide to taxable benefits
Employers are required, by the end of February 2020, to issue T4 slips for their employees for the 2019 taxation year. Those T4s will summarize the amount of remuneration received by the employee duri...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on October 30, 2019, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate will r...

CPP contribution rate to increase January 1, 2020
As previously announced, changes are to be made to the Canada Pension Plan over the next 5 years, with the goal of increasing the amount of CPP retirement benefits available to contributors. The next ...

Online retirement income calculator available
The federal government provides a detailed online retirement income calculator which can be used by taxpayers planning retirement. The online calculator allows users to input income amounts from vario...

No change in inflation rate for September
The overall inflation rate was unchanged for the month of September, with that rate matching the 1.9% year-over-year increase posted for the month of August 2019. The greatest contributor to the infla...

Unemployment rate down in September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a sharp increase in job creation for the month of September. During that month employment rose by 54,000, mainly in full-time...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for November
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) formerly provided taxpayers with a listing of prescribed interest rates for leasing, with such listing including the applicable rate for the upcoming month, as well as ...

2020 Employment Insurance premium rates announced
The federal government has announced the Employment Insurance premium rates and amounts which will be levied during the 2020 calendar year. For 2020, the Employment Insurance premium rate is decreased...

OAS payment rates for fourth quarter of 2019
The federal government has announced the Old Age Security (OAS) and related amounts which will be paid during the fourth quarter (October 1 to December 31) of 2019. OAS payments are indexed quarterly ...

Prescribed interest rates for 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for 2019, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose of calculating emp...

CRA updates and re-issues publication on tax audits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has updated and re-issued its publication on the conduct of tax audits. The updated publication (RC4188E)) outlines the process by which the CRA chooses a file for audi...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for October
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) formerly provided taxpayers with a listing of prescribed interest rates for leasing, with such listing including the applicable rate for the upcoming month, as well as ...

Rate of inflation at 1.9% for August
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of August stood at 1.9%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The inflation rate ...

Federal government releases financial results for 2018-19
Finance Canada has released the Annual Financial Report of the Government of Canada for 2018-19, which provides an overview of the federal government’s financial results for the 2018-19 fiscal year ...

CRA issues tax guidance for international students
Each September thousands of international students move to (or return to) Canada to attend Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational institutions. Depending on their residency status, those stu...

Unemployment rate unchanged in August
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that employment increased by 81,000 positions during the month of August 2019. Notwithstanding that increase, the unemploymen...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on September 4, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at ...

Individual income tax instalment payment due September 16
Individual taxpayers who make quarterly instalment payments of tax must make the third such instalment payment for the year on or before September 15. As that date falls on a Sunday this year, payment...

Bank of Canada announces 2020 interest rate announcement schedule
The Bank of Canada has released a listing of the eight dates on which it will make regularly scheduled interest rate announcements during 2020. That listing is as follows: Wednesday, January 22 Wednes...

CRA issues warning on self-directed RRSP withdrawal schemes
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a Tax Tip warning owners of self-directed RRSPs about a current tax scheme which they may encounter. Promoters of such schemes falsely promise owners of self-direc...

CRA issues updated guide to electronic record keeping by taxpayers
The Canada Revenue Agency has updated and re-issued its Information Circular outlining the rules and requirements which apply to taxpayers who keep business and tax books and records in electronic for...

Inflation rate unchanged in July
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation recorded for the month of July was unchanged from the previous month. For both June and July, tha...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for September
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) formerly provided taxpayers with a listing of prescribed interest rates for leasing, which includes the applicable rate for the upcoming month, as well as the rates in ...

Unemployment rate up slightly for July
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a slight increase in the unemployment rate for the month of July, as measured on a year-over-year basis. For that month, the ...

CRA enhances telephone security procedures
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a Tax Tip reminding taxpayers of the procedures which it utilizes to protect their personal information, particularly with respect to contacts between taxpay...

Third quarterly income tax instalment due September 15
Individuals who are required to pay income tax by instalments must make their third quarterly instalment for 2019 on or before September 15, 2019. As that date is a Sunday, such payments are considere...

Federal government issues initial listing of prescribed livestock tax deferral areas for 2019
The federal government provides tax relief to livestock producers who are experiencing severe weather or climate conditions during the year. Such relief is provided through the livestock tax deferral ...

Bank of Canada releases 2020 interest rate announcement dates
The Bank of Canada has released the listing of dates on which it will make scheduled interest rate announcements during calendar year 2020. There will be 8 such scheduled interest rate announcements d...

Mortgage stress test interest rate lowered to 5.19%
Prospective mortgage borrowers in Canada are subject to a “stress test” as part of the assessment of their credit-worthiness. Under that test, such borrowers are required to qualify for a mortgage...

Inflation rate up by 2% in June
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the overall rate of inflation during the month of June 2019 stood at 2%. The comparable rate for May was 2.4%. The decr...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for August
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) formerly provided taxpayers with a listing of prescribed interest rates for leasing, with such listing including the applicable rate for the upcoming month, as well as ...

Slight increase in unemployment rate for June
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that, although the unemployment rate for the month of June rose by 0.1%, employment increased by 132,000 positions during the...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on July 10, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the bank rate remains at 2%. ...

Prescribed interest rates for the first three quarters of 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the first three quarters of 2019, as well as the rates that will apply for th...

Increases to GST/HST credit and Canada Child Benefit payment rates
July 1, 2019 is the start of the 2019-20 benefit year for many provincial and federal child and tax benefits, including the federal GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit. As of that date, the pa...

OAS payment rates for third quarter of 2019
The federal government has announced the Old Age Security (OAS) and related amounts which will be paid during the third quarter (July 1 to September 30) of 2019. OAS payments are indexed quarterly to ...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for July
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of July 2019. The prescribed rate for July is 2.75%. A chart showi...

Inflation rate for May at 2.4%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of May 2019, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 2.4%. Inflation during...

Finance holding consultations on upcoming changes to stock option rules
Under the Canadian tax system, employee stock options receive preferential tax treatment. In this year’s Budget the federal government indicated that, in its view, the existing rules on stock option...

First-time home buyer’s incentive to launch September 2, 2019
In this year’s federal Budget, a new program was announced to benefit first-time home buyers. Under that program, the First-Time Home Buyer’s Incentive, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation...

Increases to Canada child benefit effective July 1, 2019
Effective as of July 2019, the amount of Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payable to eligible Canadian families will be increased to account for inflation. Starting with the July payment (which will be made...

Unemployment rate down slightly in May
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a small decline in the overall unemployment rate recorded for the month of May. The unemployment rate for that month stood at...

Prescribed interest rates for leasing for June 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of June 2019. The prescribed rate for that month will be increase...

Individual income tax instalment payment due June 17
Individual taxpayers who pay income tax by instalments must make their second instalment payment for 2019 on or before June 17, 2019. Such taxpayers will have received an instalment notice setting out...

2018 returns for self-employed taxpayers due June 17, 2019
Self-employed taxpayers (and their spouses) have until Monday June 17, 2019 to file their income tax returns for the 2018 tax year. Returns filed after that date will be subject to late-filing penalti...

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates at current levels
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on May 29, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current interest rates. Consequently, the Bank Rate remain...

Filing of 2018 tax return required to receive federal tax benefits
The federal government and many of the provinces provide benefit programs for which both entitlement and benefit amount are based, at least in part, on the income of the recipient taxpayer. Those bene...

Overall inflation rate for April 2019 at 2%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of April stood at 2%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. Seven of the eight maj...

CRA confirms June 17 filing deadline for self-employed taxpayers
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a Tax Tip confirming that the filing deadline for individual income tax returns filed for the 2018 tax year by self-employed individuals and their spouses is...

Good employment news for the month of April
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows growth in employment during the month of April for nearly all demographic groups. The overall unemployment rate for the month...

CRA issues warning on Health Spending Account tax schemes
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a warning about a current tax scheme involving Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) which are being marketed to small businesses. HSAs are self-insured health pla...

Canada Child Benefit rates to increase in July
The federal government has announced that, effective with the July 2019 payment, Canada Child Benefit rates will increase.As of July, the maximum benefit for a child under the age of 6 will increase t...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for May 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of May 2019. The prescribed rate for that month will be reduced t...

CRA reminds flood-affected taxpayers of available relief
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a press release reminding taxpayers who have been affected by this spring’s floods of the availability of relief with respect to their obligation to file a...

Increase in rate of inflation for March 2019
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows a significant increase in the rate of inflation recorded for the month of March 2019. During that month, the CPI rose 1.9%, ...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
The Bank of Canada, in its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on April 24, determined that no change was needed to current rates. The Bank Rate therefore remains at 2%. The press rele...

OAS rates unchanged for the second quarter of 2019
The federal government has announced the Old Age Security payment rates which will be in effect for the second quarter (April 1 to June 30) of 2019. OAS payment rates are indexed quarterly to inflatio...

April 30 deadline for payment of 2018 individual income taxes
All payments of individual income tax owed for the 2018 taxation year must be received by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on or before Tuesday April 30, 2019. There are a number of means by which paym...

CRA issues guide to medical expense claims for 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued an updated guide to be used by taxpayers who are claiming medical expenses on their income tax returns for 2018. Individual taxpayers are entitled to claim a...

Unemployment rate unchanged in March
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey indicates that there was no change in the overall unemployment rate for the month of March. That rate remained at 5.8%. Employment ...

Prescribed interest rates for leasing for April
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month April 2019. The prescribed rate for the upcoming month is 3.1%. A chart...

Prescribed interest rates for the first half of 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the first half of 2019, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose of cal...

CRA posts Tax Tips for students and seniors
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted a number of Tax Tips for seniors and students on its website. Those Tax Tips list and explain particular credits, deductions, or benefits which are most like...

Inflation increases by 1.5% in February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey indicates that the rate of inflation for the month of February, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 1.5%. The compara...

Budget 2019: Adjusting the Rules for Cannabis Taxation
Budget 2019 is proposing that the excise duty framework for cannabis products be amended to more effectively apply the excise duty on new classes of cannabis products, as well as to cannabis oils, whi...

Budget 2019: Expanding Health-Related Tax Relief
Budget 2019 proposes to expand health-related tax relief under the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) system to better meet the health care needs of Canadians by: providing GST/HST ...

Budget 2019: Employee Stock Options
Budget 2019 announces the Government’s intent to limit the use of the current employee stock option tax regime and move toward aligning the tax treatment with the United States for employees of larg...

Budget 2019: Electronic Delivery of Requirements for Information
Budget 2019 proposes that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be allowed to send requirements for information electronically to a bank or credit union only if the bank or credit union notifies the CR...

Budget 2019: Carrying on Business in a Tax-Free Savings Account
Budget 2019 proposes that the joint and several liability for tax owing on income from carrying on a business in a TFSA be extended to the TFSA holder. The joint and several liability of a trustee of ...

Budget 2019: Mutual Funds: Allocation to Redeemers Methodology
Budget 2019 proposes to introduce a new rule that would deny a mutual fund trust a deduction in respect of the portion of an allocation made to a unitholder on a redemption of a unit of the mutual fun...

Budget 2019: Pensionable Service Under an Individual Pension Plan (IPP)
Budget 2019 proposes to prohibit Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) from providing retirement benefits in respect of past years of employment that were pensionable service under a defined benefit plan of...

Budget 2019: Contributions to a Specified Multi-Employer Plan (SMEP) for Older Members
To bring the Specified Multi-Employer Plan (SMEP) rules in line with the pension tax provisions that apply to other defined benefit RPPs, Budget 2019 proposes to amend the tax rules to prohibit contri...

Budget 2019: Medical Expense Tax Credit
Amounts paid for cannabis products may be eligible for the medical expense tax credit where such products are purchased for a patient for medical purposes in accordance with the Access to Cannabis for...

Budget 2019: Supporting Donations of Cultural Property
A recent court decision related to the interpretation of “national importance” has created uncertainty about the availability of these tax incentives. Budget 2019 proposes to introduce legislative...

Budget 2019: Tax Measures for Kinship Care Providers, Tax Treatment of Financial Assistance Payments
Budget 2019 proposes to amend the Income Tax Act to clarify that financial assistance payments received by care providers under a kinship care program are neither taxable nor included in income for th...

Budget 2019: Tax Measures for Kinship Care Providers, Canada Workers Benefit
Budget 2019 proposes to amend the Income Tax Act to clarify that an individual may be considered to be the parent of a child in their care for the purpose of the Canada Workers Benefit, regardless of ...

Budget 2019: Improvements to the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
To ensure that the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) continues to respond to the needs of Canadians with disabilities, Budget 2019 proposes two changes that will better protect the long-term s...

Budget 2019: Variable Payment Life Annuities
Budget 2019 proposes to amend the tax rules to permit PRPPs and defined contribution RPPs to provide a variable payment life annuity (VPLA) to members directly from the plan. A VPLA will provide payme...

Budget 2019: Advanced Life Deferred Annuities
Budget 2019 proposes to amend the tax rules to permit an advanced life deferred annuity (ALDA) to be a qualifying annuity purchase, or a qualified investment, under certain registered plans. An ALDA w...

Budget 2019: Change in Use Rules for Multi-Unit Residential Properties
To improve the consistency of the tax treatment of owners of multi-unit residential properties in comparison to owners of single-unit residential properties, Budget 2019 proposes to allow a taxpayer t...

Budget 2019: Modernizing the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)
Budget 2019 proposes to increase the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit to $35,000. This would be available for withdrawals made after March 19, 2019. Budget 2019 also proposes to extend acces...

Budget 2019: Canada Training Credit
Budget 2019 proposes this new, non-taxable credit that would help Canadians pay for training fees. Every year, eligible workers between the ages of 25 and 64 would accumulate a credit balance of $250 ...

Budget 2019: Strengthening Canada’s International Tax Rules
Budget 2019 proposes to: extend the foreign affiliate dumping rules in the Income Tax Act to prevent a corporation resident in Canada that is controlled by a non-resident individual or trust from redu...

Budget 2019: Strengthening Beneficial Ownership Transparency
In Budget 2019, the Government proposes further amendments to the Income Tax Act to make the beneficial ownership information maintained by federally incorporated corporations more readily available t...

Budget 2019: Character Conversion Transactions
Budget 2019 proposes an amendment that introduces an additional qualification for the commercial transaction exception in the definition “derivative forward agreement” as the exception applies to ...

Budget 2019: Canadian-Belgian Co-productions - Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
Budget 2019 proposes to add The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Respective Governments of the Flemish, French and German-speaking Communities of the Kingdom of Bel...

Budget 2019: Improving Support for Small, Growing Companies
Budget 2019 proposes to repeal the use of taxable income as a factor in determining a CCPC’s annual expenditure limit for the purpose of the enhanced SR&ED tax credit. As a result, small CCPCs w...

Budget 2019: Small Business Deduction - Farmers and Fishers
Budget 2019 proposes to eliminate the requirement that sales be to a farming or fishing cooperative corporation in order to be excluded from specified corporate income. As such, this exclusion will ap...

Budget 2019: Supporting Business Investment in Zero-Emission Vehicles
Budget 2019 proposes that these vehicles be eligible for a full tax write-off in the year they are put in use. Qualifying vehicles will include electric battery, plug-in hybrid (with a battery capacit...

Budget 2019: Support for Canadian Journalism
Budget 2019 proposes to introduce three new tax measures to support Canadian journalism: allowing journalism organizations to register as qualified donees; a refundable labour tax credit for qualifyin...

Unemployment rate unchanged in February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force survey shows that, while the rate of unemployment for the month of February was unchanged, employment grew by 56,000 positions. The unempl...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on March 6, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 2% I...

Inflation down to 1.4% for January 2019
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows a drop in the rate of inflation for the month of January. That rate, as measured on a year-over-year basis, was 1.4%. ...

First instalment payment of 2019 due March 15
The first instalment payment of individual income taxes for the 2019 tax year is due on or before Friday March 15, 2019. Individuals who have previously paid tax by instalments will have received an i...

CRA providing extended hours for individual tax help line
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that its Individual Income Tax Enquiries line (1-800-959-8281) is now available for extended hours. Until April 30, 2019, telephone agents will be availab...

Date announced for 2019-20 federal Budget
The Minister of Finance has announced that the 2019-20 federal Budget will be brought down on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Once the Budget is released, at around 4 p.m., the Budget Papers will be posted o...

Obtaining a 2018 tax return form and guide
The 2018 T1 Individual Income Tax Return and Guide package is now available on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/tax-packag...

NETFILE available for filing of 2018 individual income tax returns
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that its NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns is available as of Monday, February 18, 2019. The current NETFILE service (which ...

CRA issues tax filing tips for students
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a Tax Tip for post-secondary students and graduates who will be filing an income tax return for the 2018 tax year. That Tax Tip, which can be found on the CR...

Small increase in unemployment rate for January
During the month of January, the number of people employed in Canada rose by 67,000, with that figure attributable for most part to increased employment of those aged 15 to 24 and those working in the...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of March 2019. That prescribed rate for the month of March will be...

CRA issues tax filing tips for seniors
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted a Tax Tip which lists the tax deductions and credits which are most relevant to seniors, and which can be claimed by eligible seniors when preparing and fili...

NETFILE service for 2018 returns available February 18
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced that its NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2018 tax year will be available online on Monday February 18, 2019. The N...

Upcoming changes to the CRA’s e-mail service
Effective as of February 11, 2019, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be merging its online mail and account alerts services. Notification of the change is being sent to users of those services, and...

Pre-Budget consultations ending on January 29
Finance Canada has issued a reminder that the current consultation process with respect to the upcoming 2019-20 federal Budget will end on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Interested stakeholders can make t...

Inflation rate increases to 2% in December
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 2% during the month of December 2018. The equiva...

Finance announces automobile allowance limits and rates for 2019
Finance Canada has announced the automobile deduction limits and expense benefit rates which will apply to businesses and their employees during the 2019 taxation year. Most of the limits which applie...

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates at current level
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on January 9, 2019, the Bank of Canada indicated that no change would be made to current interest rates. The Bank Rate therefore remains at 2...

Prescribed interest rates for leasing for January and February
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will be in effect during the months of January and February 2019.The prescribed rate for January is ...

Prescribed interest rates for the first quarter of 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the first quarter of 2019, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpo...

Canada Pension Plan changes to take effect January 1, 2019
Over the next seven years, significant changes will be made to the Canada Pension Plan. Those changes will result, overall, in an increase of about 50% in the maximum retirement benefit. The first suc...

Inflation for November down to 1.7%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of November, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 1.7%. The comparable r...

NETFILE service for prior years available until January 25, 2019
Taxpayers who have not yet filed their individual income tax returns for 2017 (or the three prior years) can file those returns on NETFILE until Friday, January 25, 2019. Until that date, the Canada R...

Prescribed leasing interest rate for January 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of January 2019. The prescribed rate for that month will be 3.39%....

December 31, 2018 deadline for 2008 tax fairness applications
Where taxpayers fail to meet their tax filing or payment obligations, penalties and interest are usually levied for that failure. However, the Minister of National Revenue has the authority to forgive...

Unemployment rate for November at 42-year low
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the unemployment rate for the month of November was the lowest recorded since 1976. The unemployment rate for the month,...

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates at current level
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on December 5, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change to current interest rates was needed. Accordingly, the Bank Rate rem...

Personal tax credit amounts for 2019
The federal government will provide the following personal tax credit amounts for 2019: Basic personal amount ……………………………… $12,069 Spouse or common law partner amount …...

Inflation rate up slightly in October
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows a slight increase in the rate of inflation rate for the month of October. That rate rose 2.4%, following a 2.2% increase for...

Finance announces start of 2019-20 federal Budget consultation process
Finance Canada has announced details of the consultation process leading up the release of the 2019-20 Federal Budget next spring. The budget consultation process will include both in-person and digit...

New tax credits to support news organizations
In the 2018-19 Fall Economic Statement, the Minister of Finance announced that three new tax initiatives would be introduced to support both traditional and digital news organizations. Those changes w...

Federal government announces new business tax incentives
In the Fall Economic Statement issued on November 21, the Minister of Finance announced new tax measures that would: allow businesses to immediately write off the cost of machinery and equipment used ...

CRA issues 2018 employer’s guide to taxable benefits
Some of the non-monetary benefits which employers provide to their employees must be included in the employee’s income and taxed as such. Each year, employers must include the amount of any such tax...

CRA announces enhancements to BizApp
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides a mobile web app for small business owners and sole proprietors which enables them to manage their business tax accounts on any browser-enabled mobile device. ...

Unemployment rate down slightly for September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a small decline in unemployment during the month of September. That rate stood at 5.8%, down 0.1% from the rate posted for Au...

Canada Pension Plan contribution rates for 2019
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced the contribution rates and amounts for the Canada Pension Plan which will apply during the 2019 calendar year, and that announcement can be found at https://www...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for November
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of November. The prescribed rate for that month will be 3.43%. A c...

CRA announces contingency plans for postal disruption
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (as well as other federal government departments and agencies) has issued information indicating how government payments will be handled during the current postal disru...

Inflation rate at 2.2% for September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the inflation rate for the month of September stood at 2.2%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The comparable rate...

Bank of Canada raises interest rates again
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on October 24, the Bank of Canada once again increased the bank rate, which now stands at 2%.In the press release announcing the increase, wh...

OAS payment rates for the fourth quarter of 2018
The federal government has announced the maximum Old Age Security (OAS) benefit amount which will be paid to eligible recipients in the last quarter — October, November, and December — of 2018. Th...

CRA issues updated forms for reduced source deductions
In some circumstances, taxpayers are entitled to request a reduction in the amount of tax being deducted at source from their income. An employee can request that the amount of income tax being deduct...

CRA to hold webinar on CPP changes for the self-employed
A number of changes have been made over the past few years to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), with those changes generally providing greater flexibility to CPP contributors. Some of those changes parti...

Slight decline in unemployment rate for September
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a small decrease in the overall unemployment rate for the month of September. That rate decreased from the 6% rate recorded f...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for October
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of October. The prescribed rate for that month will be 3.33%. A ch...

Prescribed interest rates for the fourth quarter of 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the fourth quarter of 2018, as well as the rates that will apply for the purp...

NETFILE still available for filing of 2017 returns
While the deadline for filing of individual income tax returns for the 2017 tax year (for both employees and the self-employed) has passed, the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA’s) NETFILE service thro...

Inflation rate down slightly in August
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the rate of inflation for the month of August 2018 stood at 2.8%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The comparable...

CRA updates fact sheet for temporary Canadian workers
Canada’s tax system is one based on residency, and individuals who are considered to be residents of Canada are subject to federal and provincial tax. The federal government has issued a fact sheet ...

Employment insurance premium rate for 2019
The Minister of Finance has announced that the employment insurance premium rate payable by employees and the self-employed for the 2019 tax year will be reduced. The premium rate for that year will b...

CRA issues updated guide to federal and provincial child benefits
The federal government has updated and re-issued its guide to child benefits paid by the federal and several provincial governments. The updated guide (T4114), which is available on the Canada Revenue...

Slight increase in unemployment rate for August
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a small increase in the unemployment rate posted for the month of August. That rate rose by 0.2%, from 5.8% to 6%. Most of th...

Relief available to taxpayers affected by wildfires
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can provide interest and penalty relief to taxpayers who are unable to meet their tax filing or payment obligations due to circumstances beyond their control, including...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its scheduled interest rate announcement made on September 5, the Bank indicated that no change would be made to current interest rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains at 1.75%. The Bank acknow...

CRA issues Tax Tip on benefit review process
Each year the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sends a letter and questionnaire to approximately 350,000 taxpayers, seeking to determine whether such taxpayers are receiving the correct tax credits and ben...

Upcoming tax instalment due date for individuals
The due date for the third instalment payment of 2018 income taxes by individuals falls on September 15, 2018. As that date is a Saturday, instalment payments will be considered to be made on time if ...

Amendments to be made to rules on political activities of charities
The federal government has announced that changes will be made to the administrative rules governing the extent to which charities can engage in non-partisan political activities. The intended amendme...

Rate of inflation at 3% for July
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Survey shows a significant increase in inflation for the month of July. That rate, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 3%. T...

Unemployment rate down slightly for July
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey indicates that the overall rate of unemployment was down slightly for the month of July. That rate stood at 5.8%, down by 0.2% from...

Finance announces lower payment card fees for small businesses
The Minister of Finance has announced that two major payment card networks have agreed to lower costs charged to small and medium-sized businesses. Both VISA and Mastercard have agreed to reduce domes...

CRA podcasts and webinars for small businesses
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) prepares and posts on its website a number of podcasts and webinars covering tax and tax-related issues of particular interest to small businesses. There are currently ...

Bank of Canada 2019 interest rate announcement dates
The Bank of Canada has issued a listing of the dates on which it will make announcements during the 2019 calendar year with respect to current interest rates. There are eight such interest rate announ...

Upcoming changes to mortgage lending assessments for self-employed taxpayers
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has announced that, effective as of October 1, 2018, changes will be made to the process by which self-employed taxpayers are assessed for mortgage f...

CRA issues new direct deposit form for businesses
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has updated and re-issued its Form RC366, which allows businesses to have amounts owed to them deposited directly to a bank account. The updated form can be used to eit...

CRA issues updated guide to RESPs
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has updated and re-issued its publication RC4092(E) on Registered Education Savings Plans. The updated publication incorporates changes, originally announced as part of...

Inflation rate up by 2.5% in June
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the overall rate of inflation for the month of June, as measured on a year-over-year basis, stood at 2.5%. That change ...

Prescribed interest rates for leasing rules
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will apply during the months of July and August 2018. Those prescribed rates will be 3.28% for July ...

CRA issues updated guide to taxation of RRIF on death
The Canada Revenue Agency has updated and re-issued its publication outlining the tax treatment of funds held in a RRIF on the death of the RRIF annuitant. The updated publication (RC4178(E)) also rev...

Slight increase in unemployment rate for June
While employment rose by 32,000 during the month of June, the unemployment rate was also up, by 0.2%, a result attributed by Statistics Canada an increase in the number of individuals seeking to enter...

Bank of Canada increases benchmark interest rate
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on July 11, the Bank of Canada indicated that it was increasing its benchmark interest rate by one-quarter of a percentage point. Accordingly...

CRA issues Tax Tip on return review process
Each year, the Canada Revenue Agency reviews approximately 3 million returns which have already been filed and assessed. Generally, such reviews are carried out to confirm income amounts reported, and...

Old Age Security benefits to increase by 1.2% in third quarter
Old Age Security (“OAS”) benefits received by Canadians are indexed to changes in the overall Consumer Price Index, and are adjusted each quarter to reflect increases in that Index.The federal gov...

No change to inflation rate for May
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index indicates the rate of inflation for the month of May stood at 2.2%. The same rate was recorded for the month of April, and both ra...

CRA issues updated source deductions online calculator
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has re-issued the payroll deductions online calculator to be used by employers in calculating employee source deductions as of July 1, 2018. The updated version of that...

Prescribed interest rate for leasing for July
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the prescribed interest rate for leasing rules which will be in effect during the month of July. The prescribed rate for that month will be 3.28%. A chart...

Prescribed interest rates for the third quarter of 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the third quarter of 2018, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpo...

CRA updates and re-issues Notice of Objection form
The Canada Revenue Agency has updated and re-issued its standard form for filing an objection to a Notice of Assessment or Reassessment. The 2018 T-400A E, Notice of Objection, can be found on the CRA...

No change in unemployment rate for May
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows little change in unemployment during the month of May. For the fourth consecutive month, that rate stood at 5.8%. There was s...

June 15 filing deadline for self-employed taxpayers
The filing deadline for individual income tax returns for the 2017 year for self-employed individuals and their spouses is midnight Friday June 15, 2018. Returns can be filed using the Canada Revenue ...

Individual income tax instalment payment due June 15
For Canadians who make quarterly instalment payments of personal income tax, the next due date for such payment is Friday June 15, 2018. The Canada Revenue Agency has posted a notice on its website in...

Taxpayer relief available for Canadians affected by spring floods
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a reminder to taxpayers who have been affected by this spring’s floods of the availability of administrative tax relief. Under the federal government’s T...

Bank of Canada maintains interest rates at current level
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on May 30, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change was needed to current interest rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate remains...

CRA issues updated payroll deduction formulas for July 1, 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued updated payroll deduction formulas for use by employers for payroll periods beginning after July 1, 2018. The updated formulas reflect changes in provincial ...

Inflation rate for April at 2.2%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows that the overall rate of inflation for the month of April stood at 2.2%, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The rate for...

Changes to distribution of GST/HST reporting/remittance forms for small businesses
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be making changes to its distribution method for GST/HST reporting and remittance forms for small businesses, with those changes generally directed toward reducing...

Unemployment rate unchanged in April
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey indicates that there was no change during the month of April to either employment figures or the overall unemployment rate. That un...

CRA tax topic podcasts available for download
The Canada Revenue Agency prepares and posts podcasts on a number of different tax topics, both individual and corporate. Those podcasts are available for download from the CRA website. The current se...

Prescribed interest rates for May and June
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced the prescribed interest rates for leasing rules which will be in effect during the months of May and June 2018. Those prescribed rates will be 3.22% during the ...

Getting information about your tax refund
Taxpayers who have filed their return for the 2017 tax year and are expecting to receive a refund can track the status of that refund payment through a toll-free telephone line. That line, the CRA’s...

CRA issues warning on filing season tax scams
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a warning to taxpayers of the need to be particularly vigilant with respect to fraudulent text, telephone, and e-mail communications, which increase during t...

Inflation rate for March reaches 2.3%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index indicates that the rate of inflation stood at 2.3% during the month of March 2018, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The year...

April 30 due date for all 2017 individual taxes owed
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a reminder that all individual income tax balances owed for the 2017 tax year must be paid on or before Monday April 30, 2018. April 30 is also the deadline ...

Unemployment rate unchanged in March
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that the rate of unemployment for the month of March 2018 stood at 5.8%. The same rate was recorded for February 2018. Employ...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on April 18, the Bank of Canada indicated that no change was required to current interest rates. Accordingly, the Bank Rate will remain at 1....

ReFILE service for changing individual income tax returns
It is not uncommon for taxpayers to discover an error or omission in an already-filed return, and the usual means by which such error can be corrected is the filing of a T1-Adjustment form. While a co...

CRA issues reminder of taxability of income from “sharing economy”
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a reminder to taxpayers who receive income from the “sharing economy” that such income is taxable and must be reported on the annual tax return. Although...

Bank of Canada interest rate announcement dates for 2018
The Bank of Canada’s regularly scheduled interest rate announcement dates for the remainder of calendar year 2018 are as follows: April 18, 2018; May 30, 2018; July 11, 2018; September 5, 2018; Octo...

CRA issues update on home sale reporting requirements
Proceeds received from the sale of one’s principal residence are, in most circumstances, not taxable, as such sales are eligible for the principal residence exemption. However, as of the 2016 tax ye...

Significant increase in inflation rate for February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows a sharp increase in inflation for the month of February. That rate stood at 2.2%, while the rate for January 2018 was 1.7%. ...

Prescribed interest rates for second quarter of 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the CRA for the second quarter of 2018, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpose...

CRA issues warning on tax scams
While taxpayers fall victim to tax scams year-round, such scams are more prevalent during and just following tax filing season. During that time, taxpayers expect to hear from the tax authorities, a...

CRA publication on changes to Voluntary Disclosure Program available online
In December 2017, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced that substantive changes would be made to the Agency’s Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP). That program enables taxpayers who are in defau...

CRA issues e-filers manual for 2017 returns
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued its Guide RC4018, Electronic Filers Manual for 2017 Income Tax and Benefit Returns. That guide is for use by certified e-filers in filing individual income tax ret...

Unemployment rate down slightly in February
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a small decline in the overall unemployment rate for the month of February 2018. That rate declined from 5.9% in the month of...

Increase in Consumer Price Index for January
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index indicates that the rate of inflation for the month of January 2018 stood at 1.7%. The rate for the previous month was 1.9%. Inflat...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on March 7, the Bank of Canada indicated that no change would be made to current interest rates. Accordingly, the bank rate remains at 1.5%. ...

Budget 2018 - Personal tax credits
Budget 2018: No personal tax credits have been repealed, and there are no new personal tax rate changes....

Budget 2018 - Foreign-born Status Indians
Budget 2018: Foreign-born Status Indians may now be eligible for child benefits, retroactive to 2005....

Budget 2018 - Service animals
Budget 2018: Eligibility of specially trained service animals will be expanded for the purposes of the medical expense tax credit....

Budget 2018 - Canada Workers Benefit
Budget 2018: Taxpayers will no longer need to apply when filing their return in order to receive the Canada Workers Benefit....

Budget 2018 - Working Income Tax Benefit amounts
Budget 2018: The Working Income Tax Benefit amounts are enhanced as of 2019, and the credit is renamed the Canada Workers Benefit...

Budget 2018 - Non-resident surplus stripping rules
Budget 2018: The non-resident surplus stripping rules are tightened to address the use of partnerships and trusts....

Budget 2018 - CRA compliance orders
Budget 2018: Where a CRA compliance order or information requirement is contested, a new rule will “stop the clock” to prevent the tax year from being statute barred....

Budget 2018 - RDTOH
Budget 2018: A corporation will have two RDTOH accounts going forward: eligible and non-eligible RDTOH....

Budget 2018 - Investment income
Budget 2018: A corporation with $100,000 of investment income will have its small business limit reduced to $250,000....

Budget 2018 - Corporations' small business limit
Budget 2018: A corporation’s small business limit will be reduced where the corporation earns investment income exceeding $50,000....

Extended hours for CRA telephone help line
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides a 1-800 telephone service to provide tax information to Canadian taxpayers. Such information can be general in nature, or can involve the specific tax affairs ...

CRA issues list of approved software for NETFILING of 2017 returns
The Canada Revenue Agency’s NETFILE service for filing of individual income tax returns will be available starting Monday February 26, 2018. Taxpayers do not need to obtain an access code to file th...

Unemployment rate up slightly in January
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labor Force Survey shows a slight increase in the overall unemployment rate for the month of January. That rate rose by 0.1%, from 5.8% to 5.9%. That c...

2018-19 Federal Budget date announced
The Federal Minister of Finance has announced that the 2018-19 federal Budget will be brought down on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. The Budget will be released at around 4 p.m. and the full Budget Paper...

Obtaining hard copy of a 2017 income tax return package
This year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be providing taxpayers with hard copies of the 2017 Income Tax and Benefit package through a variety of means, and at various dates. Individuals who pap...

CRA announces NETFILE service availability dates for 2017 returns
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the date on which NETFILE service for the filing of individual income tax returns for the 2017 tax year will be available. NETFILE service will be availab...

CRA to mail tax return packages to selected taxpayers
While the majority of Canadians now file their individual income tax returns electronically, there is still a significant minority of tax filers who file using a printed return. The Canada Revenue Age...

CRA announces change to 2017 individual tax return forms
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has posted a notice on its website that an “update” has been made to individual 2017 tax forms. Those forms are to be used by individual Canadians to file their ret...

CRA reinstates telephone tax return filing service
For a number of years, taxpayers whose tax situation was relatively straightforward were able to file their return by telephone. That service, which was called TELEFILE, was withdrawn a few years ago....

Prescribed interest rates for first quarter of 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the interest rates which will apply to amounts owed to and by the Agency for the first quarter of 2018, as well as the rates that will apply for the purpo...

Bank of Canada raises interest rates
As widely expected, the Bank of Canada indicated, in its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on January 17, that an increase in the bank rate was required. The Bank’s announcement, w...

Federal Budget 2018-19 consultations to end January 26
Finance Canada has announced that the consultation process leading to the release of the 2018-19 federal Budget will conclude on Friday January 26, 2018. Canadians can provide input by submitting thei...

CRA issues individual T1 Tax Return Form and Guide for 2017
The Canada Revenue Agency has released the T1 Individual Income Tax Return and Benefit form to be used by individual Canadian taxpayers in filing their return for the 2017 tax year. The T1 form is ava...

Unemployment rate for December 2017 down to 5.7%
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey indicates that the unemployment rate for the month of December 2017 stood at 5.7%. The last period for which that rate was recorded...

Small business tax rate reduced effective January 1
As previously announced, the federal small business tax rate is reduced to 10.0%, effective as of January 1, 2018. There is no change in the federal small business limit, which remains at $500,000. Th...

Automobile deduction and benefit limits for 2018
Finance Canada has announced the limits and thresholds which will apply for purposes of determining automobile benefits and deductions during 2018. Most such deduction limits and thresholds are unchan...

CRA issues guidance on upcoming changes to small business tax rules
Planned changes to the federal income tax rules governing the taxation of small incorporated Canadian businesses are to take effect for 2018. One of those changes will include greater restrictions on ...

Changes to be made to Voluntary Disclosure Program
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides an administrative program under which taxpayers who have failed to file returns or pay taxes on a timely basis can bring their tax affairs into compliance, usu...

Age 71 final RRSP contribution to be made by December 31
Taxpayers who are turning age 71 during the year and who have available contribution room are entitled to make a final RRSP contribution for that year. Such contributions must be made by the end of th...

NETFILE service for 2016 returns available until January 19
Taxpayers who have not yet filed their return for the 2016 tax year will have until January 19, 2018 to file that return using NETFILE. Until that date, returns for the 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 tax ...

Bank of Canada leaves interest rates unchanged
In its regularly scheduled interest rate announcement made on December 6, the Bank of Canada indicated that, in its view, no change is required to current rates. Accordingly, the bank rate remains at ...

Unemployment rate down in November
The most recent release of Statistic’s Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows a slight decline in the overall unemployment for the month of November. That rate declined by 0.4%, to 5.9%. The November ...

T4127 for 2018 payroll deduction amounts released
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued the 2018 version of its publication T4127(E), Payroll Deductions Formulas. The guide is intended for use by payroll software providers and by employers which manag...

CRA issues federal TD1 Form and TD1 Worksheet for 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued the federal TD1 Form and Worksheet which will be used by taxpayers and their employers to determine required federal income tax source deductions for the upcoming ...

Inflation rate up by 1.4% in October
The most recent release of Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows an inflation rate of 1.4% for the month of October, as measured on a year-over-year basis. The equivalent rate for the...

Finance launches pre-budget consultations
Finance Canada has begun the consultation process leading to the release of the 2018-19 federal Budget. As part of that budget consultation process, the Minister of Finance is holding in-person public...

CRA to provide online filing for trust tax and information returns
Effective as of January 8, 2018, administrators and representatives of qualifying Canadian trusts will be able to file trust income tax and information returns online, through the Canada Revenue Agenc...

Employment Insurance premium rates for 2018
The federal government has announced the premium rates and maximum insurable earnings amount which will be in place for the 2018 calendar year. The premium rate for the year for employees has been set...

CRA announces CPP contribution rates and amounts for 2018
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the contribution rates and amounts for both employers and employees which will apply for 2018. Maximum pensionable earnings for the year will be $55,900 (...

ON – Ontario Budget 2021-22 includes extension of Ontario Small Business Support Grant program
As part of its pandemic response, the Ontario government provided small businesses in the province with a grant program — the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. That grant provided direct payment...

ON - Date announced for 2021-22 provincial Budget
The Ontario government has announced that the province’s Budget for the upcoming 2021-22 fiscal year will be brought down on Wednesday March 24, 2021. When the Budget is released, the budget papers ...

ON - Province releases third quarter financial report for 2020-21
The provincial government has released the revenue, expenditure, and projected deficit figures for the third quarter (October 1 – December 31) of the 2020-21 fiscal year. Based on those figures, the...

ON - Application process open for Small Business Support Grant program
The province of Ontario provides a grant of between $10,000 and $20,000 for eligible small businesses which were affected by the province-wide shutdown which began on December 26, 2020. The applicatio...

ON - Province launches 2021 Budget consultation process
The Ontario government has launched its consultation process with respect to the upcoming 2021-22 provincial Budget. That Budget will be brought down by March 31, 2021. The Budget consultation process...

ON - Individual income tax rates and brackets for 2021
During the 2021 taxation year the province of Ontario will levy individual income tax using the following income brackets and tax rates. Tax Rate ...

ON - Personal tax credit amounts for 2021
The province of Ontario will provide the following personal tax amounts for 2021. Basic personal amount ………………………………… $10,880 Spouse or common law partner amount …… $9,...

ON - Interest Rates - 2021
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute and set at the beginning of each quarter of the calendar year. The rates presc...

ON - Province extends filing and expenditure deadlines for cultural industry tax credits
The province of Ontario provides a number of tax credits for companies in the film, television, and digital media industries. Those credits included the Film and Television Tax Credit, the Ontario Pro...

ON - December 31, 2020 deadline for filing of provincial R&D tax credit claims
In the Economic Statement announced in March 2020, the provincial government announced that a number of filing deadlines relating to provincial corporate tax credits would be extended. One of the affe...

ON - Application process for Support for Learners subsidy now open
In early November the Ontario government announced that a subsidy would be provided to families with children up to age of 12 (or age 21 in the case of children with special needs).The purpose of the ...

ON - Ontario Finance updates and re-issues Notice of Objection form
Ontario taxpayers who disagree with an assessment of their tax liability under a range of provincial tax programs are entitled to object to that assessment. The Ontario government has updated and re-i...

ON - Province increases exemption threshold for Employer Health Tax
The Employer Health Tax (EHT) is a payroll tax paid by employers based on their total annual Ontario remuneration in excess of a remuneration threshold. The EHT has a top rate of 1.95%. In March 2020 ...

ON - 2020-21 Budget projects current year deficit of $38.5 billion
In the 2020-21 Budget brought down on November 5, the government of Ontario projected a deficit of $38.5 billion for the current fiscal year. That deficit amount is unchanged from the figure projected...

ON - Province introduces Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit
In the 2020 Budget brought down on November 5, the province introduced a new refundable tax credit for seniors. That credit will be claimable by senior homeowners, renters, or people who live with rel...

ON - Provincial Budget to be brought down on November 5
The Ontario government has announced that the 2020-21 provincial Budget will be brought down on Thursday November 5, 2020. In the announcement of the Budget date, which is available on the provincial ...

ON - Interest Rates - 2020
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute and set at the beginning of each quarter of the calendar year. The rates presc...

ON - Province releases Public Accounts for 2019-20 fiscal year
Ontario has released the province’s final fiscal results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The 2019-20 Public Accounts compare those final fiscal results with the figures projected in the 20...

ON - Province to implement residential rent freeze for 2021
The Ontario government has announced that a rent freeze will be imposed for the 2021 calendar year for most residential rental accommodation in the province. While Ontario already has rent control leg...

ON - Interest and penalty relief period to end October 1, 2020
As part of its pandemic response measures, the Ontario government provided businesses with relief from penalties and interest charges related to late filings or remittances, for a six-month period. Th...

ON - Province extends change to temporary layoff rules
Under Ontario labour laws, where a non-unionized employee is laid off for more than 13 weeks, said layoff can trigger termination and severance payment obligations for the employer. However, earlier...

ON - CRA issues warning on tax scam and Ontario tax benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued a warning to taxpayers of a current tax scam relating to claims for Ontario tax benefits — specifically, claims for the Ontario Senior Homeowners Property ...

ON - Minimum wage to increase effective October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the Ontario general minimum wage will increase by 25 cents, to $14.25 per hour. That increase is based on changes to the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Different minimum wage rates ...

ON - Interest and penalty relief program extended
In March 2020, the Ontario government announced that, as part of its pandemic response plan, it would provide an interest and penalty relief period for Ontario taxpayers with respect to specific tax p...

ON - Province extends commercial rent assistance program
The provincial government has announced that its commercial rent assistance program — Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) — has been extended to be available until the end of Augus...

ON - Tax penalty and interest relief period ends August 31
In March 2020 the provincial government announced that, as part of its pandemic response plan, a five-month interest and penalty relief period would be provided to Ontario businesses which failed to f...

ON - Limits to be imposed on payday loan interest rates and fees
The provincial government has announced that it will be moving to impose limits on the rate of interest and certain fees which can be levied by payday loan companies. The proposed changes would cap th...

ON - Interest Rates - 2020
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute at the beginning of each calendar quarter. The rates set for the third quarter...

ON - Application process for commercial rent assistance program open
Applications can now be made by commercial landlords in Ontario for forgivable loans to assist with pandemic-related losses of rental income. Under the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CEC...

ON - Province provides temporary deferral of student loan payments
As part of its pandemic response plan, the province is providing interest relief and payment deferrals on existing Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loans. Under that plan, OSAP borrowers will...

ON - Forgivable loan program for eligible small business landlords
The Ontario government will be providing forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners in the province who are experiencing rent shortfalls due to the pandemic, through the new Ontario-Canad...

ON - Interest and penalty relief for Ontario businesses
As part of its recent Economic and Fiscal Update, the province announced that interest and penalty relief would be provided to Ontario businesses with respect to their obligations under specified tax ...

ON - Province provides temporary increase in Employer Health Tax thresholds
Ontario imposes an Employer Health (payroll) Tax which is levied on employers having an annual payroll over $490,000. As part of the tax relief measures announced in the recent Economic and Fiscal Up...

ON - Province to provide interest and penalty relief for businesses
In the Economic and Fiscal Update brought down on March 25 Ontario’s Minister of Finance announced that, beginning April 1, 2020, penalties and interest will not be imposed on Ontario businesses tha...

ON - Province to bring down Economic and Fiscal update on March 25
The Ontario government had announced that the province’s 2020-21 Budget would be brought down on March 25, 2020. The Ontario Minister of Finance has indicated that, in light of recent developments, ...

ON - Province announces date for 2020-21 Budget
The Ontario government has announced that the province’s Budget for the upcoming (2020-21) fiscal year will be brought down on Wednesday March 25, 2020. Once the Budget is released, the Budget paper...

ON - Province releases third-quarter results for 2019-20
The Ontario Ministry of Finance has announced the province’s financial results for the third quarter (October to December 2019) of its 2019-20 fiscal year. As of December 31, 2019, the government is...

ON - 2019 tax return package for Ontario residents now available online
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has released the Individual Income Tax Return and Guide to be used by individuals who were residents of Ontario as of December 31, 2019. That return and guide can be fo...

ON - Small business corporate income tax rate reduced effective January 1, 2020
The corporate income tax rate levied on active business income of eligible Ontario corporations was reduced to 3.2%, effective as of January 1, 2020. The rate change will be pro-rated for non-calendar...

ON - Personal tax credit amounts for 2020
The province of Ontario will provide the following personal tax credit amounts for 2020: Basic personal amount ……………………………… $10,783 Spouse or common law partner amount �...

ON - Small business income tax rate to be reduced effective January 1, 2020
As announced in the 2019 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the provincial small business corporate income tax rate will be reduced, effective as of January 1, 2020. As of that date, the rate will dr...

ON - Province projects balanced budget by 2023
In the 2019 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review released by the provincial government on November 7, the Minister of Finance confirmed the government’s commitment to balance the budget by 202...

ON - Small business income tax rate to be reduced
In the fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review released on November 6, the Minister of Finance announced that the provincial corporate income tax rate applied to Ontario small businesses will be reduc...

ON - Date announced for 2019 Fall Economic Statement
The Ontario Minister of Finance has announced that the 2019 Fall Economic Statement will be brought down on Wednesday November 6, 2019. That economic statement will update the revenue, expenditure, an...

ON - Interest Rates - 2019
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute and set at the beginning of each calendar quarter. The rates levied and paid f...

ON - Province releases financial results for 2018-19
The Ontario government has released the Public Accounts which summarize the province’s financial position at the end of the 2018-19 fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2019. The related press release...

ON - Information issued on upcoming changes to Estate Administration Tax
The province of Ontario levies an Estate Administration Tax (formerly known as probate fees) on the total value of the estate of a deceased person. In this year’s budget, the provincial government a...

ON - Province releases financial results for first quarter of 2019-20
The Ontario government has released the province’s financial results for the first quarter (April 1 – June 30) of the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Those results indicate that the deficit projection for ...

ON - Land transfer tax refund for first-time home buyers
The province of Ontario levies a land transfer tax (LTT) on each purchase and sale of property in the province. The province also provides first-time homebuyers in Ontario with a refund of LTT which w...

ON - Online calculator available for 2019-20 Ontario tax credits
The province of Ontario provides residents with a number of refundable tax credits, with eligibility for those credits based on age, income, and type and place of residence. The current benefit year f...

ON - Updated bulletin issued on non-resident speculation tax (NRST)
Ontario imposes a 15% non-resident speculation tax (NRST) on purchases of residential property located in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region (GGH) by individuals who are not citizens or permanent res...

ON - Province announces new tax credit for low-income working taxpayers
In its 2019-20 Budget, the Ontario government announced a new non-refundable tax credit for lower-income working residents of the province. That credit, the Low-income Individuals and Families Tax (LI...

ON - Budget reduces and simplifies Estate Administration Tax
The province of Ontario levies an Estate Administration Tax (EAT), which is more commonly known as probate fees. In the 2019-20 Budget, the province announced that changes would be made to the EAT, as...

ON - Province to balance Budget in 2023-24
The 2019-20 Ontario Budget released on April 11, 2019 indicates that the province will not achieve a balanced budget until the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Budget papers show that the province expects the...

ON - Province introduces new child care tax credit
The 2019-20 provincial Budget brought down on April 11 included the announcement of a new refundable child care tax credit, claimable for the 2019 and subsequent taxation years. The new credit will be...

ON - Date announced for 2019-20 provincial Budget
The Ontario government has announced that the province’s Budget for the upcoming (2019-20) fiscal year will be brought down on Thursday April 11, 2019. Once the Budget is released, the Budget papers...

ON - Third quarter update shows reduced deficit
The provincial government has issued its fiscal update for the Third Quarter of the 2018-19 year, and that update shows a $1 billion reduction in the province’s deficit. That deficit is now projecte...

ON - Province launches consultation on governance of real estate professionals
The Ontario government has announced that it will be carrying out a consultation process with respect to the laws which govern real estate professionals in Ontario. The process will address a broad ra...

ON - Consultation process underway on changes to automobile insurance
The provincial government has announced that it will be holding a consultation process with respect to changes to the provincial automobile insurance program. Both consumers and businesses can provide...

ON - CRA issues supplementary 2019 payroll deduction tables for Ontario residents
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued a supplement to the payroll deduction tables to be used for residents of Ontario during the 2019 tax year. The supplement, which can be found on the CRA website at...

ON - Province launches 2019-20 Budget consultation process
The Ontario Minister of Finance has announced the start of the consultation process leading to the release of the province’s 2019-20 Budget next spring. There are several options for Ontario residen...

ON - Payroll tax exemption level increased for 2019
In the recent Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the Ontario Minister of Finance announced that the annual payroll threshold for the province’s Employer Health (payroll) Tax (EHT) would be increase...

ON - Personal tax credit amounts for 2019
The province of Ontario will provide the following personal tax credit amounts for 2019: Basic personal amount ………………………………… $10,582 Spouse or equivalent to spouse amount …...

ON - Province reverses planned 2019 minimum wage increase
The Ontario government has reversed the minimum wage increase which had been scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2019. On that date, the minimum wage was scheduled to increase from $14 to $15 per h...

ON - Province announces new tax credit to help low-income individuals and families
In the 2018 Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review issued on November 15, the provincial government announced that, beginning with the 2019 tax year, low-income individuals and families will be eligible f...

ON - Province offers property tax deferral program
The province provides a program under which low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities can obtain a partial deferral of property tax and education tax. The tax deferral applies to the...

ON - Interest Rates - 2018
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute and set at the beginning of each calendar quarter. The rates levied and paid f...

ON - Increases to driver licensing fees cancelled
The government of Ontario has announced that planned fee increases with respect to licensing fees for drivers in the province, which were to have taken effect on September 1, 2018, have been cancelled...

ON - Registering for online tax services for business
The Ontario government provides an online service – ONT-TAXS, through which Ontario businesses can file and amend returns, make tax payments, and track the status of such returns and payments. The s...

ON - Ontario Trillium Benefit amounts for 2018-19 benefit year
The new benefit year for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) began in July 2018 and will run until June 2019. The OTB is a refundable tax credit which is claimed on the annual tax return and paid to ta...

ON - 2018 personal income tax rates
As announced in this year’s provincial Budget, Ontario has altered its personal tax rate structure. The changes announced include the elimination of the provincial surtax and the replacement of the ...

ON - Provincial cap-and-trade system eliminated as of July 3
The Ontario government has announced that the existing cap-and-trade carbon tax system will be eliminated, effective as from July 3, and that provincial government programs which were funded under tha...

ON - Interest Rates – 2018
The province of Ontario charges and pays interest on underpayments and overpayments of tax at rates prescribed by statute and set at the beginning of each calendar quarter. The rates levied and paid f...

ON - CRA issues source deductions online calculator for Ontario
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has re-issued the payroll deductions online calculator to be used by Ontario employers in calculating employee source deductions starting July 1, 2018. The updated vers...

ON - July 1st start of 2018-19 tax credit benefit year
The province provides eligible Ontario residents with a number of refundable tax credits and benefits. Those benefits are paid on a monthly basis, and eligibility for most benefits is based, in part, ...

ON - Provincial R&D tax credit enhanced
The Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit (ORDTC) is a 3.5% non-refundable tax credit earned on eligible R&D expenditures. As announced in this year’s provincial Budget, eligible busines...

ON - 2018-19 Budget changes affecting seniors enacted
The Ontario government recently enacted legislation to implement announcements made in this year’s provincial budget. Those announcements include two changes affecting seniors in the province, as fo...

ON - Increased consumer access to credit reporting information
The provincial government has announced changes that will provide Ontario residents with increased access to personal information held by credit reporting agencies. Under the new rules, certain credit...

ON - Filing a tax return to receive provincial benefits for 2018-19
The province of Ontario provides a number of tax credits to individual residents of the province, and those benefits are paid on monthly basis. The next benefit year will start in July 2018 and run un...

ON - Province increases charitable donation tax credit
In this year’s Budget, the provincial government announced that the non-refundable tax credit provided to taxpayers who make qualifying donations to charity would be increased. The credit is a two-l...

ON - Budget proposes changes to provincial personal income tax structure
The Ontario Budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year, which was brought down on March 28, included the announcement of changes to the province’s personal income tax rate structure, with such changes havin...

ON - Changes to employment standards laws to take effect April 1, 2018
Previously announced changes to Ontario’s employment standards laws will take effect on April 1, 2018. The upcoming changes will, for the most part, affect temporary, part-time, and seasonal employe...

ON - Province announces date for 2018-19 Budget
The provincial government has announced that Ontario’s 2018-19 Budget will be brought down by the Minister of Finance on Wednesday, March 28 at around 4 p.m. Once the Budget is announced, the Budget...

ON - Personal tax credit amounts for 2018
The province of Ontario will provide the following personal tax credit amounts for 2018: Basic personal amount ………………………………… $10,354 Spouse or equivalent to spouse amount �...

ON - Province bans unsolicited door-to-door sales of specified home products
The provincial government has announced that, effective as of March 1, 2018, unsolicited door-to-door sales of the following appliances will no longer be permitted: air cleaners, air conditioners, a...

ON - Province releases third-quarter fiscal results for 2017-18
The release of Ontario’s Third Quarter Finances report indicates that the province remains on track to balance the budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year, although the amount of the projected surplus ha...

ON - Province to require standard form residential lease as of April 30
The provincial government has announced that, effective for leases signed on or after April 30, 2018, residential landlords in Ontario will be required to use a new standard-form, plain-language lease...

ON - Personal income tax rates and brackets for 2018
For the 2018 tax year, the province of Ontario will levy personal income tax based on the following tax rates and brackets. 05% on taxable income between $10,354 and $42,960; 15% on taxable income bet...

ON - Payment dates for Ontario Trillium Benefit for 2018
The province of Ontario provides a number of refundable tax credits to individual residents of the province. Several of those credits are combined and paid as a single monthly benefit — the Ontario ...

ON - Consultation process for 2018-19 provincial Budget announced
The government of Ontario has announced the launch of its pre-budget consultation process leading to the release of the province’s 2018-19 Budget. That budget consultation process has several compon...

ON - CRA releases 2017 T1 tax return form for Ontario residents
The Canada Revenue Agency has released the 2017 T1 Individual Income Tax Return and Benefit form to be used by individuals who were residents of Ontario at the end of that year. The T1 form package (w...

ON - 2018 payroll deduction tables for provincial income tax released
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has issued the payroll deduction tables which Ontario employers will use to determine employee source deductions for federal and provincial income tax, Canada Pension P...

ON - 2018 Ontario TD1 Form and TD1 Worksheet released
The Canada Revenue Agency has issued the Ontario TD1 form and worksheet which will be used by taxpayers resident in the province, and their employers, to determine required provincial income tax sourc...

ON - Changes enacted to provincial employment standards
The Ontario government has enacted a number of changes to the province’s employment standards laws, and those changes include the following: the Ontario minimum wage will increase to $14 per hour on...

ON - Apprenticeship training tax credit eliminated
The province of Ontario provided employers who hired and trained eligible apprentices in designated construction, industrial and motive power, and certain service trades with a refundable tax credit, ...

ON - Province to reduce small business tax rate in 2018
In the 2017 Economic and Fiscal Review issued on November 14, Ontario’s Minister of Finance announced that the provincial small business tax rate would be reduced, effective as of January 1, 2018, f...

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