Introduction Business owners are often tempted to dip into the corporation’s pockets to pay for personal expenses. A temptation which seems like a relatively insignificant transgression but in reality, is a decision that can create dire tax consequences. A corporation paying amounts for a purpose other than earning income...
The CRA reversed $246 million in COVID benefit debts after taxpayers challenged their decisions The Canadian government has had to annul debts totalling over $246 million for numerous citizens initially deemed ineligible for pandemic benefits. Since 2022, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been reclaiming funds from individuals who allegedly...
What is an alter ego trust An alter ego trust is an inter-vivos trust, which means it’s created during your lifetime, established after 1999. To qualify as an inter-vivos trust, you (the settlor) must be a Canadian resident aged 65 or older and the sole beneficiary of all income...
Introduction – The Canadian Foreign Tax Credit System An individual who is a Canadian tax resident is liable to pay Canadian income tax on worldwide income. This could result in double taxation where that Canadian taxpayer is also subject to income tax in another jurisdiction on any part of...
What is a retiring allowance? A retiring allowance is a payment made by an employer to an employee when their employment is terminated. This payment is typically based on the employee’s length of service and their position within the organization. While the terms “retiring allowance” and “severance package” are...
Introduction – Tax Exemptions for Charities To promote philanthropic ventures, the Canadian income tax regime offers generous tax benefits for people and organizations engaging in charitable activities. First, under the Canadian Income Tax Act, an organization that maintains registered charity status is tax-exempt on any income it receives. An...
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revealed that $458 million in funds distributed to employers through a pandemic-era wage subsidy program have either been denied or adjusted. This decision is a consequence of an ongoing tax auditing process that is not yet complete. The CRA published a report on...
Introduction: First Home Savings Account (FHSA) Purchasing a home is a significant milestone in one’s life, often requiring substantial financial planning and saving. With increasing housing prices and stagnant housing supplies in Canada, in August 2022, the Canadian federal government in Budget 2022 proposed the tax-free First Home Savings...
Introduction – Research and development tax expenditures and credits The rules regarding SR&ED claims are set out in various parts of the tax act. Section 37 allows for the deduction of SR&ED expenditures while section 127 allows for taxpayers to claim ITCs for SR&ED. Through amendments in 1944 to...
In The University of New Brunswick v. The Minister of National Revenue, 2023 TCC 72, (U.N.B v. M.N.R) the University of New Brunswick (the “University”), appealed a decision of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), that classified a post-doctoral fellow (“post-doc fellow”) as an employee of the University. The CRA...