Higher personal income is taxed at higher rates, while lower income is taxed at lower rates. Therefore, individuals may want to, where possible, shift income from high-income years to low-income years. This is particularly useful if the taxpayer is expecting a large fluctuation in income due to, for example, an impending: maternity/paternity leave; large bonus/dividend;… Read more »

December 31, 2025 is fast approaching… see below for a list of tax planning considerations. Please contact us for further details or to discuss whether these may apply to your tax situation. In 2024, the government proposed to increase the taxable portion of capital gains from 50% to two-thirds. However, the proposal did not proceed…. Read more »

Individuals can now register for and update their direct deposit information only through CRA’s online portal or through their bank or credit union. Alternatively, they can request a change by mailing a form to CRA; however, CRA noted that processing time for these requests is up to three months. Individuals cannot update or initiate direct… Read more »

In a May 1, 2025 French Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) case, the Court considered whether a taxable benefit was conferred on the transfer of real property from a corporation to its shareholder. In 2013, a corporation owned equally (50/50) by the taxpayer and her spouse transferred a building worth $430,000 to them. CRA reassessed… Read more »

The most recent Canada Post strike commenced on September 25, 2025. Shortly after, CRA provided an update on the impact, including the following guidance: * taxpayers are still responsible for meeting their tax obligations, and are encouraged to file or remit electronically; * communications regarding audits, objections, appeals, disputes or relief requests will continue by… Read more »

An April 17, 2025 Tax Court of Canada case considered whether CRA could reassess beyond the normal reassessment period for the 2014 and 2015 taxation years based on alleged misrepresentations related to omitted capital gains and improperly claimed capital cost allowance (CCA) and recapture. Gross negligence penalties were also assessed. Taxpayer loses – statute-barred A… Read more »

An August 25, 2025 Tax Court of Canada case considered whether a taxpayer’s relocation expenses in 2020 qualified as deductible moving expenses. The dispute focused on whether the distance between the old residence and the new work location was at least 40 kilometres greater than the distance between the new residence and the new work… Read more »

Government-issued cheques never expire, so they can be cashed at any time. If they have been lost or damaged, they can be replaced at the taxpayer’s request. To find uncashed cheques for individuals, taxpayers should go to their online CRA account (My Account) and select “Uncashed cheques” on the “Overview” page or the “Accounts and… Read more »

Spousal support payments are generally taxable to the recipient and deductible by the payer. On the other hand, child support payments are neither taxable to the recipient nor deductible to the payer. Any support amount that is not identified in an agreement or order as being solely for spousal support is considered to be child… Read more »

Since January 1, 2024, most remittances or payments to the Receiver General (e.g. GST/HST and income tax) in amounts exceeding $10,000 have been required to be made by electronic payment unless the payer or remitter cannot reasonably do so. A penalty of $100 can apply for each failure. In June 2025, CRA advised CPA Canada… Read more »