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Gig workers need to be careful when reporting their income.
Bill C-47 that requires online digital platforms to share gig workers' income with the CRA went into effect January 1, 2024. This affects services like DoorDash, Skip the Dishes, Lyft, and Uber.
The legislation requires the platforms to share their information by January 31 every year. While it doesn't change the rules for how you report your income, it does change how the CRA reconciles income reported on your tax returns.
The information sharing occurs if there are more than thirty logged activities online and if the gig worker made more than $2,800 during the year on the platform.
As a gig worker, you should receive a copy of any information provided to the CRA by your online platform.
This is a positive change for gig workers who were not reporting the income. They can now contribute to CPP and EI. The income also goes toward their RRSP contribution limit. This ability positively affects gig workers futures financial stability.
Source: Toronto Star December 26, 2024 Gig tax target: Starting in January, platforms like Uber and DoorDash need to report driver income to Revenue Canada; Doane Grant Thornton June 23, 2023 What does Bill C-47 mean for you or your business?
Continue reading "Online Platforms Required to Share Gig Workers' Income with CRA"
January 6, 2025
Today, Parliament was prorogued. This means all legislation before parliament dies until the next session begins.
While the current government remains in power during the prorogation period, this effectively kills the proposed increase of the capital gains tax rate from 50% to 66.67% that was to be effective as of June 25, 2024.
Updated January 10, 2025
What to do when preparing your 2024 tax return?
Do you assume the proposed legislation is killed permanently and apply 50% to capital gains or do you assume it will ultimately pass and apply the 66.67% where applicable?
"The CRA will be issuing the forms needed to allow taxpayers to file in accordance with the new capital gains rules by Jan. 31, 2025. Arrears interest and penalty relief, if applicable, will be provided for those corporations and trusts impacted by these changes that have a filing due date on or before March 3, 2025.
Finance also confirmed that even if Parliament is prorogued, or ultimately dissolved, the CRA will “generally continue to administer proposed legislation consistent with its established guidelines.” That being said, when Parliament does resume, if no bill is introduced and passed in the House of Commons, and the government signals its intent to not proceed with the proposed capital gains tax, the CRA would cease to administer it."
So two options: (1) pay the tax if you feel the legislation will eventually pass (CRA tax refund rate is currently 6%); or (2) pay the tax at the legal rate until it is known if the passes or not (CRA overdue tax rate is currently 8%)
Sources: CRA January 8, 2025 Businesses: Here are the top changes that will affect business taxes in 2025 - The CRA is administering proposed capital gains inclusion rate legislation; Financial Post January 9, 2025 How to handle the uncertainty about capital gains in tax filing this year
Other related posts:
- November 27, 2024 CRA Updated Guidance - 2024 Capital Gains Relief
- June 13, 2024 Capital Gains Inclusion Rates Upcoming Change
Continue reading "What Prorogation of Parliament Means For The Capital Gains Legislation"
If you keep your books solely for year-end and tax preparation purposes, tax experts suggest you establish this simple method to meet this requirement.
Continue reading "Year-End and Tax Preparation | Simple Tax Compliance Method"
At the beginning of each year (January 1), you need to record your odometer reading. This figure becomes the last entry for your prior year log. It's a good idea to diarize this date so you don't forget.
Continue reading "Don't Forget To Record Your Odometer At Year-end"
Quarterly prescribed interest rates issued by CRA for overdue & overpaid taxes and taxable benefits. Spousal interest payments are due annually by January 30th.
Continue reading "Canadian Prescribed Interest Rates | Shareholder Loans"
Should employees have a company owned vehicle? What are the compliance implications for the employer? What are the personal tax implications for the employee?
Continue reading "Company Owned Vehicles | Canadian Taxable Benefits"
Business vehicle expenses for self-employed sole proprietors are claimed on tax form T2125. If you use your personal vehicle for business, let's see how ...
Continue reading "How To Write-off Business Vehicle Expenses | Self Employed in Canada"
The Department of Finance Canada released the 2025 automobile income tax deduction limits and expense benefit rates.
Limits released were as follows:
- The 2025 employee tax free auto allowance will increase by 2 cents per kilometre.
- CCA ceiling for class 10.1 vehicles increased by $1000 while Class 54 vehicles remained the same as 2024.
- The deductible leasing costs increased $50.
- The maximum interest deductible allowed for new auto loans remained the same as 2024.
- Employee taxable benefit rate increased one cent as did the self-employed taxable benefit rate.
I've updated the rate tables for the new 2025 automobile deduction limits and expense benefit rates.
Continue reading "2025 Automobile Deduction Limits and Expense Benefit Rates"
When is an auto allowance a taxable benefit and when is it tax exempt? Are there other vehicle deduction limits I need to be aware of?
Continue reading "Is an Auto Allowance a Taxable Benefit? Tax Exempt? "
CRA SimpleFile service is a streamlined service introduced as a pilot project in 2023 to make the process of filing tax returns easier for Canadian taxpayers.
On Monday, the government released their fall economic statement. One of the items was going ahead with "making automatic tax filing a reality".
SimpleFile service was made available in February 2024. Those who met the qualifications for the service received an invitation to file by phone, by mail, or online.
For 2025, if legislation is passed, it is planned that some lower-income Canadians tax returns will be filed automatically on their behalf by CRA.
Automatically filing returns is also being considered for modest middle class Canadians that have "gaps" in their filing history or are non-filers ; as well as developing free tax software for simple returns
9 Most Popular Blogs Of 2024. Tax Compliance for Small Business . CRA Subcontracting Reporting Requirements . Self Employed Tax Deductions . T4 & T4A Slips
On November 14, 2024, CRA announced it will be transitioning to online mail as the default method of delivering correspondence. This change applies to all:
     - New business number and program account registrations
     - Existing businesses registered for 'My Business Account'
     - Businesses who have a representative that accesses the CRA’s services via 'Represent a Client'
What you need to do:
Sign into CRA's portal 'My Business Account' or 'Represent a Client' and make sure your email address is correct.
Exceptions:
Existing business, charities and non-resident businesses that are not registered for or do not have access to 'My Business Account' will continue to receive their mail by snail mail.
Requesting paper mail:
After April 2024, you will have to request paper mail by selecting paper mail as your delivery method for correspondence in 'My Business Account' or completing and mail form RC681 - Request to Active Paper Mail for Business.
Continue reading "Are you ready for your CRA mail to go online?"
Editor: See January 6, 2025 (What Prorogation of Parliament Means For The Capital Gains Legislation)
The legislation to enact the proposed 66.7% capital gains inclusion rate effective June 25, 2024 is held up in Parliament due to the filibuster launched by the Conservatives. It has not been introduced as a bill yet.
As a result, tax returns cannot be filed because the tax software isn't available yet. Tax software can only be released once CRA certifies their tax forms. CRA can't release updated tax forms until the legislation is passed. It's a mess.
The CRA has posted 2024 guidance on their webpage 'T4037 Capital Gains 2023' that they will be proceeding based on the Notice of Ways and Means Motion that has been filed.
"For all taxpayers, the new inclusion rate will apply to capital gains realized on or after June 25, 2024. Impacted forms for individuals, trusts and corporations are expected to be on Canada.ca as of January 31, 2025. Arrears interest and penalty relief, if applicable, will be provided for those corporations and trusts impacted by these changes that have a filing due date on or before March 3, 2025. The interest relief will expire on March 3rd. More information will be forthcoming in the coming weeks."
A Globe and Mail November 27, 2024 article by Rudy Mezzetta titled 'Despite interest and penalty relief, questions abound for corporations navigating capital gains changes' puts forth three filing options:
1. File and pay taxes based on the current 50% inclusion rate;
2. Manually adjust the existing forms and pay taxes using the 66.7% inclusion rate;
3. File using the current forms but calculate and pay taxes based on the higher rate.
The CRA will be administering the proposed capital gains inclusion rate while awaiting parliamentary approval. This is a standard practice.
The government announced today that it will be introducing legislation in Parliament that would provide for a two-month Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) break for groceries and holiday essentials.
It will be a hardship for small businesses with changing the sales tax rates twice in a short time frame. The administration for this 'holiday' will likely be very expensive for most small retailers.
(Update: It passed legislation on November 28th.)
This new temporary tax break will apply to:
- Prepared foods, including vegetable trays, pre-made meals and salads, and sandwiches.
- Restaurant meals, whether dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
- Snacks, including chips, candy, and granola bars.
- Beer, wine, cider, and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7 per cent ABV.
- Children’s clothing and footwear, car seats, and diapers.
- Children’s toys, such as board games, dolls, and video game consoles.
- Books, print newspapers, and puzzles for all ages.
- Christmas trees.
Source: Prime Minister of Canada website, November 20, 2024 More money in your pocket: A tax break for all Canadians and the Working Canadians Rebate
The government announced today that it will be introducing legislation in Parliament that would provide for the delivery of a new $250 Working Canadians Rebate.
(Update: The Liberals did not get the support they needed as a minority government to move forward with this legislation.)
Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned up to $150,000 will see a $250 cheque in their bank account or mailbox, starting early spring 2025. To be eligible for the rebate, you must have filed a 2023 income tax return.
Source: Department of Finance Canada, November 20, 2024 More money in your pocket: The Working Canadians Rebate
Prescribed interest rates are released quarterly by the CRA. They are used to calculate the amount to charge on taxable benefits such as interest-free and low-interest rate loans for shareholders, spouses, and employees.
The rate in effect for the quarter commencing January 1, 2025 will be 4% based on the three month TBills sold at auction in October.
Did you know that the base rate is determined quarterly using the simple average of three-month Treasury bills for the first month of the preceding quarter rounded up to the next highest whole percentage point (if not already a whole number)?
Did you know that the overpaid taxes rate (amounts owing from the federal government) is always 2% points more than the taxable benefits rate?
Did you know that overdue taxes rate (basically the rate for all other purposes) is 4% points more than the taxable benefits rate?
Continue reading "First Quarter 2025 CRA Prescribed Interest Rates"
Dealing in cash thrives in the underground economy. Here's what to do when your customer wants to do "cash under the table". Legal tax planning tools are dis...
Continue reading "CRA and the Underground Economy | Cash Under The Table"
Last week, CRA released the indexation adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts. The 2025 indexation increase is 2.7% down from 4.7% in 2024.
The tax and non-refundable tax credits take effect on January 1 annually. Most benefits are effective July 1, 2025 as they are tied to the filing of your prior year return.
Continue reading "2025 CRA Annual Indexation Adjustments Released"
You operate a business as a sole proprietor or a partnership. Is it the right time to incorporate your business as a CCPC?
Continue reading "When Should You Incorporate As A CCPC In Canada?"
The Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) is a provision in the Canadian tax system that allows individuals to realize tax-free capital gains up to a certain limit on the sale of qualifying properties. This exemption is designed to encourage investment in small businesses, farming, and fishing by offering tax relief on gains from these investments. I explore the key details of the LCGE.
Continue reading "What is the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?"
The 2025 maximum pensionable earnings and contributions were released by the Canada Revenue Agency on November 1, 2024.
The CRA news release stated, "In 2024, a second earnings ceiling was introduced, the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YAMPE). The YAMPE is used to determine second additional Canada Pension Plan contributions (CPP2). In 2024, the YAMPE is approximately 7% above the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE). In 2025 and every year after, the YAMPE will be approximately 14% above the YMPE."
Reference: News Release: November 1, 2024 Canada Revenue Agency announces maximum pensionable earnings and contributions for 2025
Continue reading "2025 CPP Maximum Pensionable Earnings and Contributions Released"
RRSPs can be a valuable tool for small business owners in Canada to save for retirement. Some RRSP tips and traps to keep in mind to maximize their benefits.
Continue reading "RRSP Tips and Traps | Small Business Owners"
Meet your payroll compliance obligations. 2025 payroll tax rates - EI premium rates were released Sep 2024. CPP contribution rates were released Nov 2024.
Continue reading "Current Payroll Tax Rates | Canadian Bookkeeping"
Tax compliance filing deadlines for small business owners - GST HST returns, payroll remittances, income tax returns and instalment payments, subcontractors
Continue reading "Tax Compliance for Small Business | Canadian Filing Deadlines"
Explore Provincial Sales Tax Rates in BC and more - current rates, exemptions, refunds, comparisons with other provinces, and its impact on goods, online sales.
Continue reading "Provincial Sales Tax Rates in BC | BC PST Rates"
Prescribed interest rates are released quarterly by the CRA. They are used to calculate the amount to charge on taxable benefits such as interest-free and low-interest rate loans for shareholders, spouses, and employees.
The rate in effect for the quarter commencing October 1, 2024 is 5%.
Continue reading "Fourth Quarter CRA Prescribed Interest Rates"
Learn how to pay employees with cash properly to protect your business while accommodating the employee. CRA has a strict definition of casual employment.
Continue reading "How To Pay Employees With Cash | Casual Employment"
The 2025 EI rates including the maximum earnings that premiums can be deducted on were released by the Canada Employment Insurance Commission on September 13th.
"Each year, the Commission is responsible for setting the annual premium rate based on a seven-year break-even rate forecast by the EI Senior Actuary. The rate is set in order to generate just enough premium revenue to cover EI expenses over the next seven years and eliminate any cumulative surplus or deficit in the EI Operating Account. Annual changes to the premium rate are subject to a legislated limit of five cents."
The mandated 7 year break even objective has resulted in changes to 2025 rates. I've updated the Employment Insurance rates table.
Reference: News Release: Canada Employment Insurance Commission confirms 2025 Employment Insurance premium rate
A quick guide to understanding your investment tax slips. What's the difference between a T3 and T5 slip? A T5 and T5008? Who declares a dividend before payout?
Continue reading "Understanding Your Investment Tax Slips | T3 T5 T5008"
What are CRA subcontracting reporting requirements? Do you use slip T5018 or slip T4A? T1 line 10400 vs line 13500? Where do you code subcontractors expenses?
Continue reading "CRA Subcontracting Reporting Requirements | T5018 vs T4A"
The laws, exemptions to the wage and other labor law issues are provincially and territorially regulated by employment and labour standards. Here's a summary.
Continue reading "Canadian Employment and Labour Standards | Minimum Wage Rates"
How to determine the province of employment - POE for remote workers with examples. New guidelines are effective January 1, 2024.
Continue reading "POE For Remote Workers | Province of Employment Determination"
This refundable tax credit was announced in the 2024 budget. It is a retroactive payment with respect to fuel charge years 2019 to 2024.
A fuel tax year runs April to March. You do not need to apply for the credit, it will be automatically calculated and issued.
To be eligible to receive the credit a CCPC must have (i) employed one or more persons in a designated province, (ii) have less than 500 employees throughout the calendar year, and (iii) file your T2 return for 2023 no later than July 15, 2024.
Here is a reminder of CRA's new policy on information returns.
"As of January 2024, businesses filing SIX or more information returns (slips and summaries) must file electronically to avoid penalties. Examples of information returns include the T4 (remuneration paid), T5 (investment income), T3 (trust income) and T4A (pension and other income)."
To file electronically:
- If you do not have a web access code, use My Business Account or Represent a Client .
- If you have a web access code, use Web Forms or XML.
Effective January 2025, CRA is making changes to the T619 electronic transmittal form. Part of this change will require submitting only one type of information return per file. For example, you will no longer be able to submit T4s and T4As in the same file. They must be sent in separate files.
Last week, CRA gave notice that they will be shutting down the system in December 2024 rather than the normal January shutdown. In 2024, CRA shut down the electronic submission services from January 20th to February 20th for annual maintenance required to get ready for the upcoming tax season. Now they are saying they will shutting down in December.
CRA is giving this notice now so that you can plan to have all your information returns filed before the December 2024 shutdown. I'm not sure how that will work. I hope it means they reopen in late January.
Source: CRA Newsroom June 28, 2024 Get ready: By January 2025 there will be changes to the electronic filing of information returns
I've compiled list of common T2 schedules that may be applicable to an average small business in Canada. We will look at schedules 1,2,3,4,6, 7, and 11.
On February 21, 2024 CRA announced new GST/HST electronic filing requirements.
"For GST/HST reporting periods that begin in 2024, all GST/HST registrants, except for charities and selected financial institutions, are required to file returns electronically.
The mandatory electronic filing threshold that was in place for GST/HST returns has been removed for reporting periods that begin on or after January 1, 2024, which means that electronic filing is now required for most businesses."
If you don't file electronically, the Canada Revenue Agency may charge you a penalty.
"The CRA will waive the penalty if you (1) file monthly or quarterly, and (2) were not previously required to file electronically, and (3) are filing a GST/HST return for a filing period beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and before April 1, 2024."
Source: CRA Website: Complete and file a GST/HST return
Learn your small business tax obligations for audit ready books. Find out deadlines not normally on your radar; explore audit issues for the self-employed.
Continue reading "Canadian Small Business Tax Obligations | It's All About The Rules"
Editor: See November 27, 2024 (CRA Updated Guidance - 2024 Capital Gains Relief) and January 6, 2025 (What Prorogation of Parliament Means For The Capital Gains Legislation) for updates on this item.
Effective June 25, 2024, the capital gains inclusion rate will increase from 50% to 66.67% for (1) capital gains over $250,000 per year for individual, and (2) all capital gains for corporations and most trusts. This change does not affect the principal residence exemption.
These are things you cannot do to lessen your capital gain tax burden:
- Current rules do not permit elections to realize a gain or loss on property without an actual transfer.
- Capital gains cannot be averaged over multiple years to stay under the threshold.
- Individuals cannot share their $250,000 annual threshold with corporations they own.
- The 66.67% exclusion rate applies across all sectors and all assets. There is no preferential treatment.
- There are no special rules based on how long an asset has been held.
Source: Department of Finance News - Fair and Predictable Capital Gains Taxation June 10, 2024
Miscellaneous notes about things I track about Canadian controlled private corporations (CCPCs) so I have easy reference to them when I need it.
Continue reading "Canadian Controlled Private Corporations | The Bookkeeper's Notes"
Overview and history of sales tax rates in Canadian provinces and territories includes GST HST PST QST. Explores 3 GST/HST reporting options.
Continue reading "Canadian Sales Tax Rates | How To File A GST/HST Return"
Act carefully when dismissing an employee. Learn how a written employment contract for every employee hired reduces your liability for damages.
Continue reading "Why You Need An Employment Contract in Canada"
An introduction to employee taxable benefits in Canada. Information on cash and non-cash gifts and awards, vehicle benefit calculator, disability insurance ...
Continue reading "Employee Taxable Benefits | An Intro To Payroll Deductions in Canada"
In dealing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) over unfiled taxes, small business owners may wonder if voluntary disclosure is the right move.
Continue reading "Is Voluntary Disclosure the Right Move? | Unfiled Taxes in Canada"
Practical steps to follow on responding to a tax audit notice. Discusses how to file a notice of objection, misconceptions, bookkeeping tips to ease the pain.
Continue reading "Responding to a Tax Audit Notice | Steps to Follow"
It's a balancing act. The CRA and PIPEDA both have guidelines for business record retention, but they serve different purposes. Data storage location is discussed.
Continue reading "Business Record Retention in Canada | Data Storage Considerations"
Learn how to register your small business for PST in BC, Canada, with my step-by-step instructions.
Continue reading "How to Register for PST in BC | A Guide for Small Business Owners"
Get ready to register for GST HST in Canada easily with step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process. Learn when voluntary registration might be...
Continue reading "How to Register for GST HST in Canada | Step-by-Step Instructions"
Basic small business tax primer focusing on three aspects of Canadian income tax compliance - (1) self-employed tax, (2) CCPC tax, (3) employee personal tax.
Continue reading "Basic Canadian Income Tax Compliance | Index"