The 2013 federal budget extended the hiring credit for small business (HCSB), a credit intended to stimulate new employment and support small businesses. The HCSB provides small businesses relief from the employer’s share of employment insurance (EI) premiums paid in 2013. The credit does this by paying up to $1,000 based on increases in an […]
Parents quite often make loans to their adult children to help them purchase a car, a home, or for other reasons. A loan is different from a gift. The parent can charge interest so that the loan will earn some investment income. The loan can be set up for blended payments of principal and interest […]
Estate planners often suggest that the RRSP/RRIF holder designate a beneficiary of the plan. There are many advantages:
Probate fees can be avoided because the funds transfer direct to the beneficiary.
The funds are not exposed to the liabilities of the deceased’s estate.
No elections are required for the “refund of premiums” status.
Premium refunds allow a tax-deferred transfer […]
In a 2013 Technical Interpretation, CRA was questioned about door prizes received by all attendees at a company social function.
CRA commented that their tax-free $500 gifts and awards policy would apply to all attendees including the employee, the employee’s spouse, and all other non-arm’s length individuals that received a gift.
It was suggested that gift cards […]
The 2013 Federal Budget introduced the concept that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will pay financial rewards to individuals who provide information on major international tax evasion. CRA could pay up to 15% of federal tax collected if the reassessments are in excess of $100,000. Penalties, interest and provincial taxes will be excluded.
Persons requesting rewards will […]
In a recent Tax Alert titled “Abuse of Source Deductions and GST/HST Amounts Held in Trust” CRA warned that businesses must hold source deductions and GST/HST amounts in trust for the government. Penalties and interest and possibly personal liability for the directors will be the result if this is not done.
Federal legislation allows CRA to […]
CRA recently noted that where a proprietor purchased a Disability Income Policy, the premium is a non-deductible personal expense. But the receipt of the disability benefits is tax-free.
If a corporation acquires a Policy for the employees, the premiums are generally deductible. If the employee receives the disability benefits they are included in the employee’s income. […]
In a recent Technical Interpretation, CRA noted that an employer-provided meal allowance will not be taxable where the following conditions are met:
It must be a reasonable amount;
The allowance is received to cover expenses while travelling away from the metropolitan area or the municipality where the employer’s establishment is located, at which the employee […]
The most common deductions that apply to students are moving expenses and child care expenses.
Moving Expenses
You can deduct moving expenses if you move to attend courses as a full-time student or if you moved to start a new job, including summer employment, or to start a business. Your new home must be at least 40 […]