Some Important Tax changes

Medical Expenses Tax Credit

Certain cannabis products purchased incurred after October 16, 2018 for a patient for medical purposes will be considered eligible medical expenses for the medical expense tax credit, they become permitted for legal sale under the Cannabis Act. For more information, see Guide RC4065, Medical Expenses.

Canada Training Credit Limit-New refundable Tax credit

The budget proposes a new refundable tax credit called the Canada training credit (lifetime 5000) available for eligible tuition and other fees paid for courses taken in 2020 and subsequent taxation years. The credit will be the lesser of the individual’s Canada training credit limit for the taxation year, and half of the eligible tuition and fees paid to an eligible educational institution in respect of the year

Income exempt under the Indian Act

A new section called “Indian Act – Exempt income” has been added to page 2 of the Income Tax and Benefit Return, and a new form has been created, Form T90, Income exempt under the Indian Act. The information provided on the return and form will allow the CRA to calculate your Canada Training Credit Limit for the 2020 tax year and may also be used to calculate your CWB for the 2019 tax year, if applicable.

Enhanced Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan

Individuals and families Enhanced Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan – Starting in 2019, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) are being gradually enhanced. This means that if you contribute to either the CPP or the QPP, you will receive improved benefits in exchange for making higher contributions. You can claim a deduction for your enhanced contributions to the CPP or QPP.

Kinship Care Providers

For 2009 and later years, for the CWB and the former WITB, a care provider may be considered to be the parent of a child in their care, regardless of whether they receive financial assistance from a government under a kinship care program. As a result, the care provider may be entitled to claim the child as an eligible dependent for purposes of claiming the benefit. Also, for these years, financial assistance payments received by care providers under a kinship care program are not included in income and not included when determining entitlement to benefits and credits based on income.

Home Buyers’ Plan

The maximum amount you can withdraw from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) increased from $25,000 to $35,000 for withdrawals made after March 19, 2019. If you are not considered a first-time home buyer for the purposes of the HBP, and you experience a breakdown in your marriage or common-law partnership, you may be able to participate in the HBP after 2019 under certain conditions.

Allowances for members of legislative assemblies and certain municipal officers

For 2019 and later tax years, non-accountable allowances paid to elected members of legislative assemblies, certain municipal officers, and members of public or separate school boards are required to be fully included in income.

Zero-emission vehicles

If you are self-employed or claiming employment expenses, you may be able to claim capital cost allowance on zero-emission vehicles. Starting in 2019, there is a temporary enhanced first-year capital cost allowance of 100% for eligible zero-emission vehicles. Eligible vehicles must be acquired after March 18, 2019, and become available for use before 2024. The enhanced allowance decreases if the vehicle becomes available for use after 2023 and before 2028.