Understanding the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

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Planning for your child’s education can be both exciting and overwhelming. The rising costs of post-secondary education make it important for parents and families to consider the financial tools available to help ensure children have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. One such tool is the Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), a tax-deferred savings account specifically designed to help save for a child’s post-secondary education in Canada.

Eligibility and How to Open an RESP

You can open a Single Plan for an individual beneficiary, such as your child, or a Family Plan if you wish to contribute to the education of multiple children in your family. The great news is that anyone can open an RESP for a child, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or other family member, making it a versatile option for educational savings.

RESP Withdrawals and Beneficiary Requirements

RESPs can be used to cover a broad range of educational expenses. The only stipulation is that the beneficiary must attend a qualifying educational institution, which could be a university, college, or technical or vocational school. Withdrawals from the RESP will help support tuition, textbooks, living expenses, and more, as long as the student is enrolled part-time or full-time.

Key Benefits of an RESP

RESPs come with a range of benefits that make them an attractive savings vehicle for education:

– Lifetime Contribution Limit: You can contribute up to $50,000 over the lifetime of the plan for each beneficiary.

– Tax-Deferred Growth: While contributions to an RESP are not tax-deductible, the investment growth within the plan is tax-deferred. This allows your savings to grow faster, as taxes on the earnings are deferred until the funds are withdrawn.

– RESP Duration: You can keep the plan open for up to 35 years, giving you ample flexibility for when the funds may be needed.

Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG)

One of the biggest incentives for opening an RESP is the Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG). Through this program, the government will match 20% of your annual contributions, up to a maximum of $500 per year. Over time, this can accumulate to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 in CESG funds for each child. If you’re unable to contribute the maximum amount in a given year, the unused CESG contribution room is carry-forwardable, and you may be able to receive up to $1,000 in grant payments annually in future years.

Eligibility for CESG

To qualify for the CESG, the beneficiary must be:

– 17 years of age or younger

– A Canadian resident

– In possession of a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

A Smart Way to Save for the Future

Starting an RESP early can make a significant difference in how much you can save for your child’s education. With contributions that grow tax-deferred, along with generous government grants like the CESG, the RESP is a valuable tool to help ease the financial burden of post-secondary education. Planning for your child’s future today ensures that when the time comes, they can focus on their studies without worrying about the costs.

Consider opening an RESP to take advantage of the substantial benefits and opportunities this plan offers. Start investing in your child’s future today!

Getting Ready for Money Emergencies

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Life can throw unexpected events your way that can hit you in the wallet. Whether it’s falling ill, getting laid off, or facing hefty repair bills for your car or home, these situations can strain your finances. To stay ahead and avoid falling into debt, it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund. This is cash you set aside specifically to handle unforeseen expenses, so you’re not left scrambling for money when the unexpected happens.

Why Emergency Funds Matter

An emergency fund is like an insurance policy for unexpected expenses that everyone can benefit from. It’s a stash of money specifically saved to cover daily living costs during emergencies that catch you off guard, such as:

  • Sudden car repairs
  • Vet visits
  • Losing your job
  • Sudden home repairs
  • Medical emergencies

Creating an emergency fund helps you to:

  • Deal with surprise costs without going into debt
  • Stay away from expensive loans like payday loans or credit card cash advances
  • Keep control of your finances
  • Feel less worried about unexpected expenses.

An emergency fund offers peace of mind during life’s surprises, preventing debt by covering costs without needing to use up savings or retirement funds, which could result in extra fees.

How much do you need?

The amount you should save depends on your financial situation, like how much you earn, what you spend each month, and if you have any dependents. A good rule is to have enough money to cover three to six months of necessary expenses, like rent, groceries, bills, and childcare.

How to Build Your Emergency Fund

Building an emergency fund to cover three to six months of essential living expenses might feel overwhelming, but the key is to start saving gradually. Even putting away a small amount regularly can add up significantly over time.

Here are some ways to build up your emergency fund:

  1. Automate your savings: Pick how much money you want to save, when you want to save it, and how often. Then, arrange for the money to be automatically moved from your regular account to your savings account. You can set up this automatic transfer to happen on your payday. That means the money you’ve chosen to save will be moved as soon as your paycheque is put into your account.
  2. Take advantage of opportunities to boost your emergency fund whenever you can. This might happen when you get extra money, like a tax refund, a pay raise at work, or when you sell things such as a car. Even receiving money as a gift or getting a bonus from your job can help. Additionally, when you finish paying off a loan, consider putting the money you used for payments into your emergency fund instead. Since you’re already used to budgeting for those payments, it’s an easy way to increase your savings without much extra effort.
  3. Make it a habit: Make saving a regular part of your routine by incorporating it into your daily habits. Here are some simple tips to help you get started: drop any loose change into a container whenever you come home, set up a savings, mark your saving dates in advance on your calendar, and use sticky notes on your fridge to remind yourself to save regularly. These small actions can make a big difference in building your savings over time.

Where to keep your emergency fund?

Given that emergencies can occur unexpectedly, having quick access to your funds is important. Although a regular chequing account may offer immediate access to your money, it’s best to keep your emergency fund separate from your regular account. This prevents accidental spending on non-emergencies. Look for an account that:

  • Is distinct from your regular spending account
  • Has minimal or no transaction fees
  • Permits penalty-free withdrawals
  • Earns interest on your savings

Consider exploring “cash equivalents” as an option to invest your money. They’re a bit like cash but can also help your money grow with interest. They’re safe and easy to get your money from. But before you decide, make sure you understand how and when you can take your money out and if there are any extra fees or charges. Examples of cash equivalents include:

  • Savings accounts
  • Chequing accounts
  • High-interest rate savings accounts (HISA)
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC)
  • Money market funds

Having an emergency fund can be a lifeline during tough financial times, preventing you from falling into debt. While there’s no fixed amount you should stash away, assessing your financial situation can guide you in determining your ideal emergency fund size. If you need assistance in planning your emergency fund, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for personalized guidance and support.

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Stay Ahead in 2024: A Comprehensive Checklist for Federal Tax Updates

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With the upcoming 2024 Canadian tax rule changes, it’s important to review your financial strategies. We’ve identified the key changes that we expect to influence financial decisions for investors, business owners, incorporated professionals, retirees, and individuals with high income or net worth.


Capital Gains Inclusion Rate

Starting on June 25, 2024, the tax on capital gains is changing. Until now, you would only have to include half of your capital gains in your income for tax purposes. But after that date, you’ll have to include two-thirds of any capital gains over $250,000 on your tax return. This is also the case for employee stock options. 

Consequently, for corporations and trusts, they will have to include two-thirds of all their capital gains, no matter the amount. This is a significant change. 


Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)

The budget proposes increasing the LCGE for qualified capital gains from $1,016,836 to $1.25 million, effective for sales made after June 24, 2024. This change increases tax benefits for individuals selling certain types of property, such as small business shares or farming and fishing assets.


Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
The 2023 budget included updates to the AMT, suggesting revising the charitable donation tax credit for AMT calculations, increasing the claimable amount from 50% to 80%.


Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)

The budget proposes a tax exemption on up to $10 million in capital gains for individuals selling their businesses to an EOT if certain criteria are met. 


Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive

This new tax measure offers a reduced inclusion rate of 1/3 for up to $2 million in capital gains during an individual’s lifetime, with this limit being phased in over 10 years. However, it’s important to know that not all businesses qualify—this doesn’t apply to businesses in professional services, finance, real estate, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or personal care.

Below is a checklist to help you navigate the tax adjustments and ensure your financial plans are updated and aligned with the new rules.


Investors

  • Investments: Evaluate portfolios to identify where capital gains can be realized under the current lower inclusion rate.

  • Investment Property: Consider advancing the sale of such properties to benefit from the existing capital gains rate.

  • Estate Planning: Revise plans to address potential increases in capital gains taxes, ensuring estates are structured for tax efficiency.

  • Employee Stock Options: Adjust the timing of exercising stock options to align with the upcoming changes in inclusion rates.


Business Owners:

  • Corporate Investments: Assess the impact of increased inclusion rates on corporately held assets, exploring the timing of gains realization. Review trust-held investments. 

  • Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption: Maximize the benefits of the increased LCGE for qualifying business assets.

  • Employee Ownership Trust: Consider the advantages of transferring business ownership via an EOT.

  • Succession Planning: Update your succession plans to consider the potential impact of capital gains tax changes.

  • Entrepreneurs Incentive: Check if you are eligible to reduce capital gains taxes. 


Incorporated Professionals:

  • Investments: Assess both personal and corporate investments for the new inclusion rate. Determine the most tax-effective structure for holding and realizing gains from investments.

  • Succession Planning: Time the potential sale of your professional corporation to capitalize on the current LCGE.


Retirees:

  • Estate Planning: Update estate plans considering the impending increase in capital gains rates.

  • Life Insurance Coverage: Ensure life insurance is adequate to cover increased capital gains tax liabilities upon death.

  • Non-Registered Investments and Retirement Income: Review your strategy for non-registered investments to manage taxes on gains and adjust your retirement income plans to accommodate the upcoming changes in capital gains rates.


Individuals with High Income or Net Worth: 

  • Investments: Evaluate portfolios to identify where capital gains can be realized under the current lower inclusion rate. Review trust-held investments. 

  • Investment Property: Consider advancing the sale of such properties to benefit from the existing capital gains rate.

  • Estate Planning: Revise plans to address potential increases in capital gains taxes, ensuring estates are structured for tax efficiency.

  • Charitable Contributions: Align your charitable giving strategies with the new tax benefits and AMT considerations.

Please reach out to us to review your financial strategy together and ensure it aligns with the upcoming changes. 

2024 Federal Budget Highlights

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On April 16, 2024, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, presented the federal budget.

While there are no changes to federal personal or corporate tax rates, the budget introduces:

  • An increase in the portion of capital gains subject to tax, rising from 50% to 66.67%, starting June 25, 2024. However, individual gains up to $250,000 annually will retain the 50% rate.

  • The lifetime exemption limit for capital gains has been raised to $1.25 million. Additionally, a new one-third inclusion rate is set for up to $2 million in capital gains for entrepreneurs.

  • The budget confirms the alternative minimum tax changes planned for January 1, 2024 but lessens their impact on charitable contributions.

  • This year’s budget emphasizes making housing more affordable. It provides incentives for building rental properties specifically designed for long-term tenants.

  • Introduces new support measures to aid people buying their first homes.

  • Costs for specific patents and tech equipment and software can now be written off immediately.

  • Canada carbon rebate for small business.

Capital Gains Inclusion Rate

The budget suggests raising the inclusion rate on capital gains after June 24, 2024:

  • Corporations and trusts, from 50% to 66.67%.

  • Individuals, on capital gains over $250,000 annually, also from 50% to 66.67%.

For individuals, the $250,000 annual threshold that applies to net capital gains—the amount remaining after offsetting any capital losses. This includes gains acquired directly by an individual or indirectly through entities such as partnerships or trusts. Essentially, this threshold acts as a deductible, considering various factors to determine the net gains eligible for the increased capital gains tax rate.

Individuals in the highest income bracket, who earn above the top marginal tax rate threshold, will face a higher tax rate on capital gains exceeding $250,000 due to these changes. Furthermore, the budget modifies the tax deduction for employee stock options to align with the updated capital gains taxation rates yet maintains the initial 50% deduction for the first $250,000 in gains. Regarding previously incurred financial losses, the budget plans to adjust the value of these net capital losses from past years so that they are consistent with the current gains, upholding the uniformity with the new inclusion rate.

The budget outlines transitional rules for the upcoming tax year that straddles the implementation date of the new capital gains rates. If the tax year begins before June 25, 2024, but ends afterward, capital gains realized before June 25 will be taxed at the existing rate of 50%. However, gains accrued after June 24, 2024, will be subject to the increased rate of 66.67%. It’s important to note that the new $250,000 threshold for higher tax rates will only apply to gains made after June 24.

Consequently, for individuals earning capital gains beyond the $250,000 threshold and who fall into the highest income tax bracket, new rates will be effective as outlined in the table below. Specifically, this pertains to individuals with taxable incomes exceeding $355,845 in Alberta, $252,752 in British Columbia, $1,103,478 in Newfoundland and Labrador, $500,000 in the Yukon, and $246,752 in all other regions.

Further details and guidance on these new rules are expected to be provided in future announcements.

Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption

The budget proposes raising the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) for qualified capital gains from $1,016,836 to $1.25 million, effective for sales made after June 24, 2024. Additionally, the exemption will once again be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. This change aims to increase the tax benefits for individuals selling certain types of property, such as small business shares or farming and fishing assets.

 

Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive

The Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive is a new tax measure which provides a reduced inclusion rate on capital gains from the disposition of qualifying small business shares.

Qualifications for the incentive include:

  • Shares must be of a small business corporation directly owned by an individual.

  • For 24 months before selling, over half the corporation’s assets must be actively used in a Canadian business or be certain connected assets.

  • The seller needs to be a founding investor who held the shares for at least five years.

  • The seller must have been actively involved in the business continuously for five years.

  • The seller must have owned a significant voting share throughout the subscription period.

  • The incentive does not apply to shares linked to professional services, financial, real estate, hospitality, arts, entertainment, or personal care services sectors.

  • The shares must have been acquired at their fair market value.

  • The incentive allows for a reduced inclusion rate of 1/3 for up to $2 million in capital gains during an individual’s lifetime, with this limit being phased in over 10 years.

This measure will apply to dispositions after December 31, 2024.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

The 2023 budget included updates to the AMT, with proposed changes outlined in the summer of 2023. The budget suggests revising the charitable donation tax credit for AMT calculations, increasing the claimable amount from 50% to 80%.

Further proposed changes to the AMT include:

  • Permitting deductions for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, social assistance, and workers’ compensation benefits.

  • Exempting employee ownership trusts (EOTs) entirely from AMT.

  • Allowing certain tax credits, like federal political contributions, investment tax credits (ITCs), and labour-sponsored funds tax credit, to be carried forward if disallowed under the AMT.

These changes would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2023. Additionally, the budget proposes technical amendments that would exempt specific trusts benefiting Indigenous groups from the AMT.

Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Tax Exemption

The budget proposes a tax exemption on up to $10 million in capital gains for individuals selling their businesses to an EOT if certain criteria are met:

  • Sale of shares must be from a non-professional corporation.

  • The seller, or their spouse or common-law partner, must have been actively involved in the business for at least two years prior to the sale.

  • The business shares must have been solely owned by the seller or a related person or partnership for two years before the sale, and mainly used in active business.

  • At least 90% of the EOT’s beneficiaries must be Canadian residents after the sale.

  • If multiple sellers are involved, they must jointly decide how to divide the $10 million exemption

  • If the EOT doesn’t maintain its status or if the business assets used in active business drop below 50% at any point within 36 months after the sale, the tax exemption may be revoked.

  • For Alternative Minimum Tax purposes, the exempted gains will face a 30% inclusion rate.

  • The normal reassessment period for the exemption is extended by three years.

  • The measure now also covers the sale of shares to a worker cooperative corporation.

This exemption is valid for sales occurring from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026.

Home Buyers Plan (HBP)

The budget proposes enhancements to the HBP for 2024 and beyond, effective for withdrawals after April 16, 2024. These include:

  • Raising the RRSP withdrawal limit from $35,000 to $60,000 to support first-time homebuyers and purchases for those with disabilities.

  • Extending the grace period before repayment starts from two to five years for withdrawals made between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025, deferring the start of the repayment period and thereby providing new homeowners additional time before they need to commence repayments

Interest Deductions and Purpose-Built Rental Housing

The budget proposes a selective exemption from the Excessive Interest and Financing Expenses Limitation (EIFEL) rules for certain interest and financing expenses related to arm’s length financing. This exemption is for the construction or purchase of eligible purpose-built rental housing in Canada and applies to expenses incurred before January 1, 2036. To qualify, the housing must be a residential complex with either at least four private apartment units, each with its own kitchen, bathroom, and living areas, or 10 private rooms or suites. Additionally, at least 90% of the units must be designated for long-term rental. This exemption will be effective for tax years starting on or after October 1, 2023, in line with the broader EIFEL regulations.

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) – Purpose built rental housing

The budget introduces an accelerated CCA of 10% for new rental projects that start construction between April 16, 2024, and December 31, 2030, and are completed by December 31, 2035. This accelerated depreciation applies to projects that convert commercial properties into residential complexes or expand existing residential buildings that meet specific criteria under the EIFEL rules. However, it does not cover renovations to existing residential complexes.

Additionally, these investments will benefit from the Accelerated Investment Incentive, which allows for immediate depreciation deductions for properties put into use before 2028. Starting in 2028, the regular depreciation rules, including the half-year rule, will apply.

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA)- Productivity-enhancing assets

The budget introduces immediate expensing for newly acquired properties that become operational between April 16, 2024, and December 31, 2026. This applies to specific categories such as:

  • Class 44- Patents and rights to patented information

  • Class 46- Data network infrastructure and related software

  • Class 50- General electronic data-processing equipment and software

Properties that are put into use between 2027 and 2028 will continue to benefit from the Accelerated Investment Incentive.

To qualify for this accelerated depreciation, the property must not have been previously owned by the taxpayer or someone closely connected to them, and it must not have been received as part of a tax-deferred deal. Also, if a tax year is shorter, the depreciation will be adjusted accordingly and will not carry over to the next year.

Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses

The budget introduces a Canada Carbon Rebate for small businesses, offering a new refundable tax credit automatically. To be eligible, a Canadian-controlled private corporation must:

  • File a tax return for its 2023 tax year by July 15, 2024, for the fuel charge years from 2019-20 to 2023-24. For subsequent fuel charge years, it must file a tax return for the tax year that ends within that fuel charge year.

  • Employ 499 or fewer people across Canada during the year that corresponds with the fuel charge year.

The amount of the tax credit for each eligible business will depend on:

  • The province where the company had employees during the fuel charge year.

  • The number of employees in that province multiplied by a rate set by the Minister of Finance for that year.

  • The CRA will automatically calculate and issue the tax credit to qualifying businesses.

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Wondering how this year’s budget will impact your finances or your business? We can help – give us a call today!

Understanding Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs)

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A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is an investment vehicle available to Canadian residents. It offers numerous benefits, including tax-free growth of your investments and tax-free withdrawals. Before you decide to open a TFSA, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements, contribution limits, eligible investments, and withdrawal rules. 


Eligibility Requirements

To open a TFSA, you must be a resident of Canada with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and be at least 18 years old. However, in some provinces and territories, the legal age to enter a contract (which includes opening a TFSA) is 19. The TFSA contribution room for the year an individual turns 18 is carried over to the following year if the individual resides in a jurisdiction where the legal age is 19.


Benefits

One of the primary benefits of a TFSA is that it allows your investments to grow tax-free. Any income you earn from your investments within the TFSA is not taxed, even upon withdrawal. This includes interest, dividends, and capital gains. 

Additionally, you can withdraw any amount from your TFSA at any time, and the withdrawals are tax-free. It’s important to note that withdrawing funds from your TFSA does not reduce the total amount of contributions you have made for the year. The amount withdrawn in a year will be added back to your TFSA contribution room at the beginning of the following year.


Contribution Limit

The annual TFSA dollar limit has varied over the years. From 2009 to 2012, it was $5,000; in 2013 and 2014, it was $5,500; in 2015, it increased to $10,000; from 2016 to 2018, it was $5,500; from 2019 to 2022, it was $6,000, and in 2023, it is $6,500. This annual limit will be indexed to inflation and rounded to the nearest $500. 

The maximum amount you can contribute to a TFSA is determined by your TFSA contribution room. This room is the sum of the TFSA dollar limit of the current year, any unused TFSA contribution room from previous years, and any withdrawals made from the TFSA in the previous year. 

Let’s look at two examples to better understand this:

Example #1: Carry Forward Unused Room to Your Current Contribution

In 2020, the annual TFSA contribution limit is $6,000. If you only contribute $5,000, you would have $1,000 of unused room. This unused room gets carried over to the next year. So, in 2021, the annual contribution room is $6,000, but because of the unused room from 2020, you actually have a total contribution room of $7,000 ($6,000 for 2021 + $1,000 carried over from 2020).

Example #2: Reclaim Your Contribution Room in the Following Year When You Make a Withdrawal

In 2021, you have $7,000 in contribution room and decide to contribute the full amount. However, you also decide to make a withdrawal of $1,000 in 2021. In 2022, the annual contribution limit is $6,000, but because of the withdrawal made in 2021, you actually have a total contribution room of $7,000 ($6,000 for 2022 + $1,000 withdrawn in 2021).

Please note that if you exceed your available TFSA contribution room at any time in the year, you will have to pay a tax equal to 1% of the highest excess TFSA amount in the month, for each month that the excess amount stays in your account.


Eligible Investments

The types of investments that are permitted in a TFSA are generally the same as those allowed in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). These include cash, segregated funds, mutual funds, securities listed on a designated stock exchange, guaranteed investment certificates, and bonds.


Withdrawals

As mentioned earlier, you can generally withdraw any amount from the TFSA at any time, depending on the type of investment held in your TFSA. However, if you decide to replace or re-contribute all or a part of your withdrawals into your TFSA in the same year, you can only do so if you have available TFSA contribution room. 

For example, if in 2023 you withdraw $1,000 from your TFSA and later in the same year decide to re-contribute that amount, you can only do so if your contribution room for 2023 allows for it. If it doesn’t and you re-contribute the $1,000 anyway, you will be considered to have over-contributed to your TFSA in that year. This will result in a tax equal to 1% of the highest excess TFSA amount in the month, for each month that the excess amount stays in your account


Beneficiary

When establishing a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), you are given the choice to designate a beneficiary. This person will be the recipient of the investments within your TFSA in the event of your death. The assets inherited by the beneficiary are not considered income, and as such, are received tax-free. It’s important to note, though, that while the inherited amount is tax-free, the beneficiary will be responsible for any tax on earnings that the TFSA generates after the original account holder’s death. 


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First Home Savings Account (FHSA): What You Need to Know

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The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is a savings plan designed for first-time home buyers in Canada, which allows them to save up to $40,000 tax-free. Contributions to an FHSA are tax-deductible, similar to Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP). Additionally, income and gains earned inside the account and withdrawals are tax-free, like a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

In this article and accompanying infographic, we will provide you with the necessary information you need to know about FHSA, including eligibility requirements, contributions and deductions, income and gains, qualifying investments, withdrawals, and transfers.

Eligibility Requirements

To be able to open an FHSA, you need to meet all the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Residency: You must be an individual who is a resident of Canada.

  2. Age: You must be at least 18 and not reach 72 in the current year.

  3. First-time Home Buyer: You must be a first-time home buyer, which means that neither you nor your spouse had owned a qualifying home that was your principal residence at any point during the calendar year or the preceding four calendar years before the account was opened.

Contributions and Deductions

There are limits to the amount you can contribute to your FHSA.

  • The annual contribution limit is $8,000.

  • The lifetime contribution limit is $40,000.

If you do not contribute the full amount each year, the contribution room carries forward to the following year. However, carry-forward amounts only start accumulating after you open an FHSA for the first time, and they do not automatically begin when you turn 18.

Any excess contributions are subject to a penalty of 1% per month.

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Tax Deductions

By claiming contributions made to FHSA accounts as a deduction against all taxable income sources, the amount of taxable income for the year can be reduced, resulting in a decrease in the amount of taxes payable.

Suppose you choose not to claim the FHSA deduction in the year. In that case, you can carry forward the unused contribution amounts indefinitely and claim them as a deduction later, like RRSP deductions.

Qualifying Investments

Qualifying investments for an FHSA are like those allowed in RRSPs and TFSAs, including mutual funds, segregated funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, and GICs.

Incomes and Gains

The income and capital gains earned in an FHSA are not included in your annual income for tax purposes and therefore are not deductible. This means that the investment can continue to grow and compound within the FHSA tax-free like a TFSA.

Qualifying Withdrawals

Withdrawals from an FHSA are subject to specific rules and conditions. Qualifying withdrawals made to purchase a home are tax-free but must meet specific criteria:

  • The person making the withdrawal must be a first-time home buyer and a Canadian resident.

  • They must also intend to use the property as their primary residence within one year of purchasing or building it.

  • The home being purchased must be in Canada, and a written agreement to buy or build the home must be in place before October 1st of the year following the withdrawal.

It is not possible to restore FHSA contribution limits by making withdrawals or transfers.

Transfers

Unused funds in an FHSA account following a qualifying withdrawal can be transferred tax-free to an RRSP or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) until the end of the following year from the year of the first withdrawal. Transfers do not affect the available RRSP contribution room, but the transferred funds will be taxable when withdrawn from the account.

It’s important to remember that there are limitations on how long you can keep your FHSA account. You must close your FHSA after you’ve held it for 15 years or by the end of the year in which you turn 71, whichever comes first.

If you’re considering opening an FHSA or saving for a home, we can help; contact us.

The Five Steps to Investment Planning

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The Five Steps to Investment Planning

For a long time, there were limited options for most investors. But now, there are hundreds of investments for investors to choose. However, this amount of choice can be overwhelming. Fortunately, an investment advisor can help you figure out what the right investment choices are for you.

Meeting your investment advisor

When you first meet with your investment advisor, they will tell you about their obligations and responsibilities. They should:

  • Give you general information about your various investment choices (e.g. stocks, bonds, mutual funds)

  • Tell you how they are compensated for their services

  • Ask if you have any questions about specific investment vehicles (such as RRSPs or TFSAs)

Determining your goals and expectations

The next step is to for your investment advisor to fill out a “Know Your Client” type of worksheet. The information on this worksheet will help your investment advisor determine the most suitable investment options for you. You’ll need to provide information on your:

  • Income

  • Net worth

  • Investment knowledge

  • Risk tolerance

  • Time horizon (how long you want to invest for)

  • How frequently do you want to invest

Developing your investment plan

Once they have all the information they need, your investment advisor will suggest the investments they think are appropriate for you.

Implementing the plan

Once you approve your investment advisor’s suggestions, you will fill in all the appropriate paperwork to set things in motion. After that, you must provide a way to fund your investments. Your investment advisor can then make any initial purchases and set up any ongoing fund purchases or transfers from other investments.

Monitoring the plan

Your investment advisor should contact you at least once a year to make sure your plan is still suitable for you and discuss any changes you want to make to it. If you have any major life events, such as getting married or changing jobs, you should contact your investment advisor to see if you should revisit your plan.

The sooner you start your investment planning, the sooner you can reach your investment goals! So contact us today!

2022 Federal Budget Highlights

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Federal Budget 2022 – Highlights

On April 7, 2022, the Federal Government released their 2022 budget. We have broken down the highlights of the financial measures in this budget into the following different sections:

  • Housing

  • Alternative minimum tax

  • Dental care

  • Small businesses

  • Tradespeople

  • Canada Growth Fund

  • Climate

  • Bank and insurer taxes

Housing

There were several tax measures related to housing introduced in the budget.

Budget 2022 introduced a new kind of savings account – a Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA).

These are the key things you need to know about the new FHSAs:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Canada to open an account. You must also not currently own a home or have owned one in the previous four calendar years.

  • You can only open and use an FHSA once, and you must close it within a year after your first withdrawal.

  • Contributions are tax-deductible, and income earned in an FHSA will not be either while it is in the account or when you withdraw it.

  • There is a lifetime contribution limit of $40,00, with an annual contribution limit of $8,000. You can’t carry contribution room forward.

  • If you don’t use the funds in your FHSA within 15 years of opening it, you can transfer them to an RRSP or RRIF tax-free. Transfers to an RRSP do not impact your RRSP contribution room.

Two existing tax credits were increased, and a new one was introduced:

  • The First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit amount was increased from $5000 to $10,000, giving up to $1,500 in direct support to home buyers. This tax credit applies to all homes purchased on or after January 1, 2022.

  • The annual expense limit for the Home Accessibility Tax Credit has been increased to $20,000 for 2022 and subsequent tax years.

  • A new tax credit, the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit, was introduced, which will start in 2023. This tax credit is a 15% refundable credit for eligible expenses up to $50,000 (maximum tax credit is $7,500) for constructing a secondary suite for a senior or an adult with a disability to live with a qualifying relative.

Budget 2022 proposes new rules, effective January 1, 2023, that anyone who sells a residential property they have held for less than 12 months would be subject to full taxation on their profits as business income. However, there will be some exemptions to these rules due to life events such as a death, disability, the birth of a child, a new job, or a divorce.

Budget 2022 also announces restrictions that would help ensure that Canadians, instead of foreign investors, own housing. A two-year ban will be introduced on non-residents buying residential property, with some exceptions, such as individuals who have work permits and are living in Canada.

Alternative Minimum Tax

In Canada, the top federal tax rate is 33% and starts at an income of $221,708. However, many high-income filers end up paying less tax than this due to tax deductions and tax credits.

The goal of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which has been around since 1986, is to ensure high-income Canadians are paying their fair share of taxes. However, it has not been substantially updated since it was introduced. In Budget 2022, the government indicated they would be investigating changes to the AMT, which will likely be disclosed in the fall 2022 economic update.

Dental Care

For many Canadians without private coverage, going to the dentist is too expensive. Budget 2022 commits $5.3 billion to provide dental care for Canadians with family incomes of less than $90,000 annually. Coverage will start for children under 12 this year and expand to children under 18, seniors and those living with a disability in 2023, with the program will be fully implemented by 2025.

Small Businesses

Small businesses currently have a 9% tax rate on the first $500,000 of taxable income (compared to the corporate tax rate of 15%). However, after a small business’ capital employed in Canada reaches $15 million, it is no longer eligible for the 9% tax rate.

Budget 2022 proposes gradually phasing out the small business tax rate so that businesses are not discouraged from expanding. The new cut-off for the lower tax rate will be $50 million.

Budget 2022 also includes a proposal to create an Employee Ownership Trust. This would be a new, dedicated trust under the Income Tax Act to support employee ownership.

Tradespeople

Budget 2022 introduces the Labour Mobility Deduction. This would allow eligible tradespersons and apprentices to deduct up to $4,000 a year in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses.

Budget 2022 also commits to providing $84.2 million over four years to double funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program, which would help 3,500 apprentices from underrepresented groups each year.

Canada Growth Fund

Budget 2022 introduces a new Canada Growth Fund, with the goals of both diversifying our economy and helping achieve our climate goals.

The Canada Growth Fund aims to attract considerable private sector investment, support the restructuring of vital supply chains, and bolster our exports. The Canada Growth Fund will also provide backing to reduce our emissions and invest in the growth of low-carbon industries.

Climate

Budget 2022 continues to confirm the government’s commitment to fighting climate change. It commits $1.7 billion over five years to extend the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program until March 2025 and also provides funding to create a national network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Budget 2022 also commits $250 million over four years to support the development of clean electricity, including inter-provincial electricity transmission projects and Small Modular Reactors.

Bank And Insurer Taxes

Budget 2022 introduced a new financial measure called the Canada Recovery Dividend. Banks and insurers will have to pay a one-time, 15% tax on 2021 taxable income above $1 billion. This tax will be payable over five years.

Budget 2022 also proposes increasing the tax rate on income above $100 million for banks and insurers to 16.5% (currently 15% for other corporations).

Wondering How This May Impact You?

If you have any questions or concerns about how the new federal budget may impact you, call us – we’d be happy to help you!

What is an RRSP?

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What is an RRSP?

Are you looking to save for your retirement and cut down on your tax bill? If this sounds good to you, then a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) may be the perfect fit for you!

What is an RRSP?

The primary purpose of an RRSP is to help you save for your retirement. It’s a registered investment vehicle, where you can use your contributions to decrease your tax bill.

How does an RRSP work?

There is no minimum age to open an RRSP. You can open one as soon as you have earned income and are filing a tax return.

RRSP Basics

The most important things you need to know about an RRSP are:

  • Each year, your contribution room is 18% of your previous year’s earned income up to the maximum contribution limit for the current tax year. You automatically carry over unused contribution room from previous years.

  • Deposits made by you or your employer into a pension plan can impact your RRSP contribution room.

  • The Canada Revenue Agency tracks your contributions. As a result, you can deduct the amount you contribute to your RRSP from your taxable income.

  • Your contributions grow tax-free as you only pay taxes when you withdraw your money.

Advantages

The most significant advantage of an RRSP is that it provides a tax-free way to save for your future, as well as helping you save on your tax bill today because your RRSP contributions are tax-deductible.

When you are ready to withdraw money from your RRSP (which you must do starting at age 71), your marginal tax rate should be lower than it was during your working years, so you will likely not have to pay a large amount of taxes on your withdrawals.

With an RRSP, there are also two other ways you can withdraw your money tax-free:

  1. The Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is a program that enables you to withdraw from your RRSP to buy your first home. You must pay back the funds 15-year period.

  2. The Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) is a program that enables you to withdraw money from your RRSP to pay for qualifying education or training. You must pay back the funds over a 10-year period.

Limitations

These are the main RRSP limitations:

  1. You can’t hold some types of investments in your RRSP, including precious metals, commodity futures contracts, and shares in private holding companies.

  2. You will have to pay both withholding tax and income tax if you make an early withdrawal from your RRSP (excluding a withdrawal for the HPB or LLP).

Want to learn more about RRSPs?

We can help you get started saving for the future with an RRSP. Contact us today!