Stay updated with the latest news, tips, and guidance on tax law from our editorial team.
In Singh v. Canada, Susie Singh placed money from the sale of her home in her tax-free savings account (TFSA) in 2015. In 2018, Singh learned that she owed taxes due to overcontributions to her account and applied for relief from those taxes in 2019 twice. She was denied both
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is a sales tax that applies to all taxable goods and services in Saskatchewan. PST applies to both sales that occur within Saskatchewan and goods and services imported and consumed or used in Saskatchewan. This sales tax applies to both new and used goods; it even
GST is short for “Goods and Services Tax.” This tax applies to most goods and services sold or provided throughout Canada. The GST has also been combined with the provincial sales tax in a few areas, including Ontario, Nova Scotia, Labrador, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. This combined
While the federal tax system is highly complex, all taxpayers have the fundamental responsibility to fulfill their tax obligations every year. Taxpayers who knowingly violate tax laws may face serious legal consequences. Fortunately, by voluntarily reporting prior tax violations to the Canada Revenue Agency, it is possible to avoid prosecution
Income tax treaties are implemented to prevent double taxation of citizens who are living abroad. The United States has income tax treaties with 58 countries, including Canada. While each tax treaty has the same general purpose, the specific provisions of each treaty vary. Canadians earning U.S. income and Americans working
Taxation on gambling winnings in Canada can be a tricky business. While professional gamblers are subject to taxes appropriate to their line of business, Canadian citizens who gamble as amateurs benefit from an exemption on income earned through gambling. Even amateur gamblers, however, are required to keep track of their
One of the ways the Canadian federal government controls the consumption of alcohol in this country is through the tax and duties imposed on alcohol purchases. The taxes levied on the purchase of alcoholic beverages make alcohol less affordable for mass consumption. Tourists to Canada may think that they can
Furthering your education is an admirable endeavor. Higher education can open up an array of new possibilities for students, from increased job prospects to finding new interests. However, tuition can be very expensive, even if students obtain scholarships and other tuition aid. In addition, students must also pay taxes on
Businesses have many assets for various reasons. They may use an asset to provide a good or service to clients. They may sell or lease an asset. How the asset is used is one of the biggest factors in determining whether the asset is capital or inventory for tax purposes.
In Canada, it is not uncommon for teenagers to get a summer job, after-school job, or other employment position while they are underage. These jobs can teach responsibility and provide a sense of autonomy. An experienced tax lawyer at Jeremy Scott Law can review the circumstances and explain whether your
Each year, there are changes to Canadian tax laws that may affect the credits and deductions which apply to individual taxpayers. Understanding these changes is essential to ensure that you file your taxes correctly and take advantage of all the tax benefits you are eligible for under the law. If
On January 1, 2022, the Underused Housing Tax took effect. Commonly referred to as the “Empty Homes Tax,” this 1% applies to vacant or underused housing throughout Canada. The Government of Canada states that most of the time, this tax only applies to non-resident, non-Canadian property owners. However, that is
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has the power to conduct audits, investigate potential tax fraud and collect taxes owed from taxpayers. However, these powers are not unlimited. If the CRA oversteps its powers, taxpayers have options to push back. Experienced Canadian tax lawyers like Jeremy Scott may be able to
Businesses registered for Canada’s Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (‘GST/HST’) can recover the tax paid on purchases connected to their commercial activity by claiming an input tax credit. These GST/HST input tax credit claims must be for purchases involving the consumption, use, or supply in the commercial activities of
British Columbia is the last Canadian province to implement online platform rules to address e-commerce businesses. PST on marketplace services other provinces implemented similar rules from 2019 to 2021. However, there are important distinctions regarding the rules for the provincial sales tax (PST) in British Columbia and other provinces. For
If you are a restaurant owner, you know that you are required by law to deduct Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and employment insurance (EI) premiums from your employees’ earnings. What you may not realize, however, is that CPP/EI applies to restaurant tips as well, meaning that you also need to
