Year: 2023

CPP ENHANCEMENTS: Higher Contributions and Higher Benefits

Posted on by Edixon

In 2019, the government commenced a two-part enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), with full implementation to be completed in 2025. Phase 1 occurred from 2019-2023; phase 2 will occur from 2024-2025. Overall, the changes will require larger contributions but also will provide larger benefits.

Pre-CPP enhancement

CPP contributions for employees and employers under the pre-enhancement CPP model (referred to as base contributions) were calculated as 4.95% of the employee’s pensionable earnings to a maximum of the year’s maximum pensionable earnings (YMPE; for 2023, $66,600), less the $3,500 basic exemption.

Phase 1

Referred to as the first enhanced CPP contributions, these are calculated as a percentage of the YMPE, less the $3,500 basic exemption, with the contribution rate for employees and employers gradually increasing from 4.95% in 2019 until it reached 5.95% in 2023.

Phase 2

Referred to as second enhanced CPP contributions, the contribution rate for employees and employers will be 4% but will only be applied to earnings above YMPE up to the yearly additional maximum pensionable earnings (YAMPE) ceiling. For 2024, YAMPE will be set at a number 7% higher than YMPE, estimated at $72,400. For subsequent years, YAMPE will be 14% higher, estimated at $79,400 for 2025.

The rates discussed above apply separately to both the employer and employee. Where the individual is self-employed, they are responsible for both the employer and employee contributions.

The payout

The enhanced portion of CPP payouts will only be available to those who contributed since the enhancements were introduced in 2019. Employees that have fully participated under the enhanced contribution regime for sufficient years will receive maximum retirement benefits set at 33% of pensionable earnings, whereas benefits under the pre-enhancement regime would be 25%.

ACTION ITEM: Employers, employees, and self-employed individuals should all be aware that the costs of the CPP will continue to increase as the changes are fully phased in. Individuals should be aware that their take-home pay may be reduced, and employers should budget for these higher costs.

Reimbursements and Allowances for Remote Workers’ Travel Expenses

Posted on by Edixon

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) considers travel between an employee’s residence and a regular place of employment (RPE) to be personal travel and not part of the employee’s office or employment duties; therefore, any reimbursement or allowance relating to this travel is a taxable benefit

In this article, authored by RSM Canada, they explore in the era of remote work, what is considered to be a RPE.

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FIRST HOME SAVINGS ACCOUNT (FHSA): A New Investment Tool

Posted on by Edixon

The tax-free FHSA was introduced in 2023 to help first-time home buyers save up to $40,000 for a home purchase.

Individuals eligible to open an FHSA must be at least 18 years of age and resident in Canada. The individual must also have not lived in a home that they or their spouse owned jointly or otherwise at any time in the year or the preceding four calendar years.

Contributions to an FHSA are deductible (like an RRSP). Income earned in an FHSA and qualifying withdrawals from an FHSA made to purchase a first home are non-taxable (like a TFSA).

The lifetime limit on contributions is $40,000, subject to an annual contribution limit of $8,000, both of which apply at the individual level. Each spouse (or commonlaw partner) could invest $40,000 and withdraw the full value (including investment income and growth) tax-free to acquire their first home. Individuals can carry forward unused portions of their annual contribution limit up to a maximum of $8,000.

Individuals can also transfer funds from their RRSP to an FHSA tax-free, subject to the $40,000 lifetime and $8,000 annual contribution limits. The maximum participation period for an FHSA ends at the earliest of:

  • 15 years after opening an FHSA;
  • the end of the year following the year of the individual’s 70th birthday; and
  • the end of the year following the year when the individual first makes a qualifying withdrawal from an FHSA.

Any funds remaining in the plan after the maximum participation period could be transferred tax-free into a RRIF or an RRSP without eroding contribution room. Otherwise, the funds will have to be withdrawn on a taxable basis.

Timing of opening an FHSA

A June 28, 2023, Advisor’s Edge article (How to properly plan the opening of an FHSA, Charles-Antoine Gohier) discussed the impact of individuals purchasing homes later in life on FHSA planning.

The article quoted a study from 2020 that estimated that the average age to buy a home in Canada is 36. If an individual opens an account at age 18, the plan must be closed no later than 15 years later, that is, when the individual is 33. If the individual contributes the annual maximum of $8,000 for the first five years to reach the maximum contribution of $40,000, assuming a 4.5% return, the balance of the FHSA would be $74,221 at the end of 15 years. If not used for a home, the individual must either withdraw the balance on a taxable basis or roll the balance into their RRSP on a tax-free basis. While rolling the FHSA into the individual’s RRSP does not erode their RRSP contribution room, no tax-free withdrawal would be possible for subsequent use of the funds to purchase a first home. Up to $35,000 could be withdrawn from the RRSP under the home buyers’ plan, but this would be subject to repayment conditions. Where sufficient funds are available in the RRSP, the home buyers’ plan can be used in conjunction with a tax-free FHSA withdrawal.

Home buyers’ plan (HBP)

In a May 15, 2023, French Technical Interpretation, CRA was asked whether an individual could withdraw $8,000 under the HBP and contribute the funds to a tax-free FHSA, knowing they would purchase a qualifying home the following month.

CRA first noted that the HBP and FHSA can be used for the same home purchase. Provided that the relevant requirements of both plans were complied with, the taxpayer could contribute the HBP withdrawal as a deductible FHSA contribution, then take a qualifying withdrawal from the FHSA in respect of the same home purchase.

This would be an alternative to rolling funds from the RRSP to the FHSA. Using the HBP approach would provide an immediate deduction for the FHSA contribution (a rollover would generate no deduction) but would also require the HBP withdrawal to be repaid to the RRSP in future years to avoid tax. The legislation does not impose any minimum period that contributions must remain in an FHSA before being withdrawn to acquire a home.

Tax-free qualifying withdrawals

A May 23, 2023, Advisor’s Edge article (What are the FHSA qualifying withdrawal rules?, Rudy Mezzetta) discussed the conditions for a qualifying withdrawal.

The taxpayer holding the FHSA must be a resident of Canada at the time of withdrawal and remain so until the qualifying home is acquired.

The taxpayer must also have a written agreement to buy or build a qualifying home before October 1 of the year following the first qualifying withdrawal. Further, they must occupy or intend to occupy the qualifying home as a principal place of residence within one year after buying or building it. The article indicated that CRA had confirmed, in an email, that there is no minimum amount of time that the taxpayer must live in the qualifying home. The article also noted that if the acquisition of the home before October 1 of the following year was frustrated by unforeseen events, the taxpayer may have to provide evidence supporting their intent to occupy the property to avoid the withdrawal being subject to tax.

The individual must also be a first-time home buyer, defined as someone who has not owned or jointly owned their principal place of residence in the current year or any of the previous four years, to make a qualifying tax-free withdrawal. Unlike the requirements for opening an FHSA, home ownership by the individual’s spouse or common-law partner is not considered in the definition of a qualifying withdrawal. The individual may own the qualifying home for up to 30 days prior to the qualifying withdrawal and still be a first-time home buyer.

ACTION: Consider whether opening up and contributing to an FHSA is an option for you or a family member

New Bare Trust Reporting Rules

Posted on by Edixon

Under new Canadian legislation, bare trust arrangements are now subject to the filing requirements of a T3 Trust Income Tax and Information return.  This new legislation applies to trusts with tax years ending on or after December 31, 2023, with significant penalties for failure to comply.

In this important tax alert, authored by RSM Canada, they highlight what information is required to be reported, the deadlines, penalties for non-compliance, and which trusts may be exempt from filing. 

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MULTIGENERATIONAL HOME RENOVATION TAX CREDIT: More Housing Support

Posted on by Edixon

The multigenerational home renovation tax credit is a refundable tax credit applicable to the costs of constructing a secondary suite for an eligible person (generally a relative either age 65 or over, or eligible for the disability tax credit) to live with a qualifying relation. The tax credit is available on up to $50,000 of eligible expenditures incurred after 2022 at a rate of 15%.

In a March 6, 2023, Technical Interpretation, CRA confirmed that the eligible person must ordinarily inhabit, or be intended to ordinarily inhabit, the new dwelling unit constructed, but does not have to reside with the qualifying relation before the renovations are undertaken.

In a second March 6, 2023, Technical Interpretation, CRA was asked whether the construction of a separate, detached housing unit on the same parcel of land as a principal housing unit, such as a carriage house or laneway house, would be eligible. CRA noted that a qualifying renovation must enable the qualifying individual to reside in the dwelling by establishing a secondary unit within the dwelling. CRA indicated that a second detached housing unit located on the same parcel of land as the primary dwelling unit would be considered to be located within the dwelling (that is, the dwelling would be considered to include the subjacent land) and would qualify for the credit.

CRA noted that all other requirements must be met, cautioning that this includes the second property being permitted under local law and regulations, as many municipalities do not permit detached secondary units.

ACTION ITEM: If building a secondary suite for a family member 65 years of age or older, or eligible for the disability tax credit, check whether you can claim this new credit.

Bill C-47: International Tax Amendments

Posted on by Edixon

This article, authored by RSM Canada, highlights the international aspects of the recent amendments to Bill C-47 in Canada’s Income Tax Act.

The article covers the expansion of withholding tax obligations for non-residents, the narrowing of the money lending business exception, and the introduction of a new functional currency and broader stop-loss provision.

The aforementioned changes have compliance implications for companies that conduct business across borders. 

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EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES FOR COMMISSIONED EMPLOYEES: Sponsorship

Posted on by Edixon

In a January 23, 2023, French Court of Quebec case, a commissioned salesperson deducted nearly $600,000 over 2015 and 2016, in sponsorship expenses of a professional cycling team in Canada. The individual was an investment advisor and reported commission income of $1,493,910 and $1,263,360 and taxable capital gains of $2,276,374 and $99,767 in the respective years.

The taxpayer argued that the sponsorship promoted his services as an investment advisor. As the main sponsor of the cycling team, the taxpayer explained that he benefited from enhanced visibility, as follows:

  • the taxpayer’s name was in large letters on the front of the cyclists’ jerseys, on both sides of the cyclists’ shorts and on the team’s cycling shoes;
  • the investment institution’s name and logo were on both the front and back of the cyclists’ jerseys; and
  • the team’s website (www.silberprocycling.com) incorporated the taxpayer’s name (Silber) into the website domain.

The Court noted that neither the taxpayer nor any of his family members benefited from the cycling team’s equipment, advice, or products. The Minister argued that the sponsorship expenses were unrelated to the taxpayer’s employment as a commissioned salesperson and that the expenses were unreasonable.

Taxpayer wins

The Court found a sufficient link between the advertising from the sponsorship and the taxpayer’s investment advisory services, from which he generated his commission income. In addition, the Court opined that the taxpayer’s sponsorship expenses constituted a much lower portion of his total income (e.g. 5% for 2015) than in other cases. For example, in a 2010 case, the Court found that employment expenses constituting 65% of the taxpayer’s income were reasonable. The deduction was allowed.

Editors’ comment

The scope of deductible commission employment expenses is much broader than for non-commission employment expenses. Expenses incurred to earn commission income are deductible provided that they are not specifically prohibited (for example, personal expenses or payments that reduced a taxable employment benefit) and provided that the other standard conditions for deduction are met. In contrast, only expenses specifically listed as deductible in the Income Tax Act can be deducted against non-commission employment income.

ACTION ITEM: The rules surrounding deducting expenses against employment earnings are complicated. Care should be afforded before incurring expenses intended to be deducted against employment income.

Government Announces $7.5 Million Investment in the Agri-food Sector

Posted on by Edixon

The government of Ontario recently announced $7.5 million in support to enhance the biosecurity of the Canadian agri-food sector.

The enhancements include a new, cost-share offering that will help farmers, food processors, and other essential farm-supporting agri-food businesses protect their operations against disease, enhance operational resilience and heighten public trust in the food supply system.

The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative will be delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. More details about the initiative and its application process will soon be available and we will update this article with a link at that time.

Applications for the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative should be available by September 19, 2023. Applications will be accepted subject to funding availability.

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UNREPORTED CAPITAL TRADES INCLUDED ON A T5008: CRA Policy

Posted on by Edixon

Traders or dealers in securities must report to CRA the disposition of securities, such as publicly traded shares, mutual fund units, bonds, and T-bills, of their clients on a T5008.

A November 4, 2022, French Federal Court case summarized CRA’s administrative policy where a taxpayer has not filed a tax return, but a T5008 was issued, reporting the disposition of property that does not include the cost of the property disposed. In this case, CRA will assess the taxpayer with unreported income by estimating the capital gain to be a percentage of the total proceeds of disposition based on the stock market performance for the year in question (details on how the calculation was made were not provided in the Court case).

In 2015, CRA applied this policy and assessed the taxpayer for his 2008 year with a $967,806 capital gain (taxable capital gain of $483,903) computed as 20% of all proceeds of disposition reported on the T5008. CRA assessed the taxpayer’s income for 2009 at $141,798. The taxpayer did not object to either of these assessments.

In 2019, the taxpayer filed his 2008 and 2009 returns reporting much lower income than CRA had assessed in 2015. As the 2008 return was filed (essentially requesting adjustments to the original assessment) more than 10 calendar years after the end of the year (December 31, 2008), no adjustments could be made to this year. The taxpayer relief provisions only allow an individual to request an adjustment up to ten calendar years after the relevant year. As such, CRA confirmed their 2015 assessment. The taxpayer then tried to argue that the excess of capital gains assessed by CRA over his actual gains for 2008 should be treated as a capital loss carried forward to offset his gains realized in 2009. CRA refused to reassess the 2009 return for this adjustment.

Taxpayer Loses

The Court found that the taxpayer could not indirectly reduce the impact of the capital gain on his 2008 return by claiming a capital loss on his 2009 return.

Commentary

It is typical for brokers not to include the cost base of securities disposed on the T5008 as they may not have the accurate information. Also, even if an amount is reported on a T5008, the transaction may not always result in a gain; some dispositions may be in a loss or break-even position. For example, money market fund dispositions are often reported; however, there is normally no gain or loss.

ACTION ITEM: Ensure to report all gains from the disposition of securities fully; should dispositions not be reported, CRA may assess the taxpayer with unreported income much higher than the actual gain.

Contact one of our Taxation team members for more tax tips and advice.

 

Prioritizing The Security And Protection Of Our Client’s Assets

Posted on by Edixon

Fraudulent activities and scams continue to pose a risk to individuals and organizations alike. As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we want to ensure that you are aware of these risks and equipped with the knowledge to protect yourself.

The Impact of Fraud and Scams

In Canada, reports to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre revealed staggering losses of $530 million in 2022, with a concerning 40% increase compared to the previous year. However, it is important to note that these figures likely represent only a fraction of the total financial losses, as estimates indicate that only 5-10% of fraud cases are reported.

Source: Fraud Prevention Month 2023: Fraud losses in Canada reach another historic level | Royal Canadian Mounted Police (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)

Protect Yourself and Your Investments

Education is vital to staying one step ahead of fraudsters. Therefore, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the following guidelines to protect your investments:

  • Be cautious of investment offers that seem too good to be true, whether from friends, family, social media contacts, or websites.
  • Be skeptical when someone insists that you keep an investment opportunity confidential.
  • Exercise caution with unsolicited investment opportunities received online or via phone.
  • Take your time to evaluate offers and avoid rushing into decisions. Fraudsters often use high-pressure tactics to exploit time constraints.
  • Assess the credibility of the information or “hot tips” you receive. Consider the motivations behind those providing the tips and verify the legitimacy of the information.
  • Before making investment decisions, verify the registration and background of the person offering the investment. Generally, anyone selling securities or offering investment advice must be registered with their provincial securities regulator.
  • When in doubt, ask questions and consult with your dedicated DJB Wealth Management Advisor or TriCert Portfolio Manager before proceeding.
Our Role in Preventing Fraud

There are many ways we help protect our clients:

  • We maintain up-to-date client records, including telephone, email, and mailing address details and Know Your Client (KYC) information. This information enables us to identify any uncharacteristic or uncommon requests.
  • We verify the accuracy of requests against the information on file.
  • We adhere to strict guidelines regarding the authorization of instructions and the disclosure of information. We request written and signed instructions from clients before sharing confidential information or acting upon requests.
  • We exercise caution with requests involving unfamiliar addresses, bank accounts, or third parties. We may contact your Trusted Contact Person (TCP) for clarification if we have any doubts.
  • We ensure the secure disposal of unnecessary paperwork containing personal information through shredding.
  • We encourage the immediate reporting of suspicious requests or fraudulent activities to your DJB Wealth Management Advisor or TriCert Portfolio Manager.
  • Never share sensitive personal account information via email.
Additional Measures for Client Protection

Apart from our internal efforts, we urge you to take the following steps to safeguard yourself against fraud:

  1. Create strong and unique passwords for your accounts, changing them periodically. Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication for added security.
  2. Exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments, especially from unfamiliar sources.
  3. Be mindful when using public Wi-Fi networks, which may pose security risks. Assume that your online activities can be monitored.
  4. In case of suspicious phone calls, immediately terminate the call without sharing any personal or financial information. If you need more clarification about the legitimacy of the phone call, contact the alleged source directly using a reliable phone number from a trusted source.
  5. Never grant strangers remote access to your devices or computers, as this can be exploited to obtain personal financial information.
What to Do if You Become a Victim of Fraud

If you believe you have fallen victim to fraud, please remember that it can happen to anyone, and you should not feel ashamed. Here are the initial steps to take:

  1. Document all relevant information regarding the incident, as it may be required for investigations.
  2. Notify your DJB Wealth Management Advisor, TriCert Portfolio Manager and/or financial institutions.
  3. Change your passwords with us and other financial institutions or service providers.
  4. Request warnings be placed on your accounts to ensure additional precautions are taken when accepting or disclosing information.
  5. Consider reporting the fraud to Equifax and TransUnion. If you suspect mail redirection, please get in touch with Canada Post.
  6. Report the incident with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. They can be reached toll-free at 1-888-495-8501 or through the Fraud Reporting System.  
Test Your Knowledge

To test your knowledge and enhance your awareness of fraud prevention, visit this Government of Canada resource.

We remain committed to your financial security and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns regarding fraud prevention or any other matter, please don’t hesitate to contact your dedicated DJB Wealth Management Advisor or TriCert Portfolio Manager.